February 25th, 2013
12:38 PM ET
The Onion apologizes for vulgar Quvenzhané Wallis tweetIt couldn't get any better for "Beasts of the Southern Wild" star Quvenzhané Wallis on Sunday. Not only was Wallis, who at 9, up for a best actress Oscar, but she also recently was cast as the lead in an upcoming remake of "Annie." And then came a tweet from satirical outlet The Onion.
With the Oscars being handed out Sunday night in Los Angeles, The Onion called the child actress a derogatory term in a tweet that has since been deleted. (We won't repeat it, but you are free to read the tweet here.) The posting, which reports say was up for about an hour, immediately spread across the Web as critics blasted The Onion for the remark. And on Monday, The Onion responded with an apology. "On behalf of The Onion, I offer my personal apology to Quvenzhané Wallis and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the tweet that was circulated last night during the Oscars," The Onion's CEO Steve Hannah said in a statement. "It was crude and offensive - not to mention inconsistent with The Onion’s commitment to parody and satire, however biting. No person should be subjected to such a senseless, humorless comment masquerading as satire." Hannah said in the apology that the tweet was removed within an hour of its posting, adding that The Onion has created new policies to prevent such an occurrence from happening again. "In addition, we are taking immediate steps to discipline those individuals responsible," Hannah said. "Miss Wallis, you are young and talented and deserve better. All of us at The Onion are deeply sorry." The apology came after a wide backlash on the Web, from some Twitter users saying they were unfollowing The Onion to those supporting a petition on Change.org. demanding the satirical outlet express regret. "I would very much love to see @TheOnion explain how this was satire to a room of 9 year old girls. Please, educate us," tweeted author and The Nation writer Jessica Valenti. "You call it humor I call it horrendous," said actor Wendell Pierce, who tweeted to The Onion, "We won't let you be disrespectful to our children. Identify the writer. There are consequences to your free speech. ... I will never lose the ability to be offended and let anyone verbally abuse a child. Especially a child of my community in NOLA." As New York Magazine's Vulture points out, there's also a chance that the young star could have read the tweet since she has a Twitter account.
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GOTCHA
People defending this by calling it 'satire' should look up what satire is.
This wasn't satire. If it is, please explain how.
Wow, targeting a 9 year old. The incident is certainly nice grist for some satire... I wonder what Mad will write about it?
Wow, targeting a 9 year old. The incident is certainly nice grist for some satire . . .
The fact that The Onion is stil even in circulation is reflective of the dramatic decline of true creativity and education of American society.
Yeah, it's terrible that satire is still allowed. Baaaaaw.
I will never see the humor in calling anybody (especially a child) a degrading and digusting name.
Wow! I can't believe someone working for the Onion tweeted that!!! They called a 9 year old girl that!?!?!?!? Man, if I was her dad, I'd want the name of the guy who said that. It's just another example of the loss of basic civility, good sense, sensitivilty, and morality in our culture (perpetuated by internet anonymity, pundits, and reality TV imo). Not only was it a disgusting and higly offensive comment to women, but to call a little girl that?!?!?!?!
I've occaisionally read and enjoyed the Onion. I always thought they did smart and amusing satire, but this is so far out of line I have to wonder who hired the guy who said this, who he is (or maybe she, though I doubt it), and what they're going to do about him. He should be fired. He should publically apologize to this little girl and her family (after all he went public with his totally unproved insult) especially her parents, and give her dad a free shot at him if he wants it. It's the only way for him to show that he's really sorry. I somehow doubt though, that the kind of guy who would say that would ever really understand or be sorry about what he did. They say their sorry after the fact, but it's always because they got caught, not because they really believe they said anything wrong or feel for the person they wronged. This guy is probably a morally bankrupt sociopath. I hope he stays away from kids and never ever becomes a father (I hope he's not one himself, I'd feel sorry for his kids having a dad like that).
It's good that the Onion's CEO apologized though, and that they removed the tweet. I bet he's furious about what happened. I know I would be.
Another mountain out of a molehill.
Anyone who thinks that this kind of humor is "OK" or "hey, it's the Onion, lighten up" is a heartless fool. I'd like to see some dads out there and their reaction of someone called their 9-year old daughter the "C" word. My guess is that it wouldn't be so funny all of a sudden and those dads would whoop the crap out of anyone using that kind of language towards their child.
Profanity has gotten out of hand. It is crass, vulgar, and shows a lack of imagination and creativity. Making such lewd remarks about a 9 year old is immature and ridiculous.
Shaddup.
Come on people-its the ONION--its FUNNY. Lighten up......they are not supposed to be politically correct. Funny funny stuff......
oh shut up, it wasn't funny to many many people. if you are okay with calling children horrible words...well, maybe you're the ****. 🙂
Morgan tried to pull off butthurt with a smiley face...
People need to calm down about this. This is the Onion the same people who were making 9/11 jokes like a week after it happened. Comedians shouldn't have to apologize for someone or a group of people getting offended, if you don't like don't read it or watch it or whatever.
We continue to confuse humor with bad taste because it looks"accepted".
Americans watch comedy shows for political information why not read The Onion for news?
VERY BAD TASTE THE ONION.
You crossed the line with this one.
It is just wrong to pick on kids, even if it is satire. I'm glad that the Onion took the proper response after the fact.
Hmm...they tweeted/posted something that could be seen as offensive and they apologized for actually saying what they said as opposed to apologizing "if people were offended" (see: every politician/celeb ever). Gotta give them credit for that. Time to move on.
What are you talking about i don't understand what you are talking about, this is a 9 year old child, there was no reason for anyone to say anything bad about a child. Black or White, or any other race of children. maybe this guy was trying to spell cute, I sure would like to see what he look like, and what race he is, and I wonder if he has any children of his own. I am sure we will never see his face. pray for this guy he need all the praying he can get. Anyway how dose he know what she is? have he been around her to know what she dose? whatever you called her that goes double for him, I say I am so sorry for this smart and beautiful little girl. maybe he is upset because no one gave him an award, sorry for saying this goes double for you, that make me no better than you. But I didn't want to go all the back erase the message, God bless you man you need it bad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thhe Onion's apology was everything I would hope for. Were I injured by the tweet, it would be acceptable to me. Time to move on.
WELL MOVE ON THAN, YOU NOT THINKING ANYWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU NEED HELP.
Helen Hull...you are obviously in need of medication. Turn off the caps, step away from the cyber world, and find your prescription as I'm sure you have a few. You NEVER make sense. (note, all caps in correct usage)
No she is not like that in real life....she's goofing on a hacker...
Anyone shocked and appalled needs to just relax. Onion has done a great job with their satirical outlook on things to be called to the carpet for one over the edge tweet. I don't follow the kid's acting, and she may be (or play) some fairly smarmy parts on screen. Or she may be like that in real life. Anyone in Hollywood should realize from a young age that if you're in the public eye, you will be talked about. It's called reality.
your not good at it–
...and you're in need of an English class.
your not good at wires.
Considering the comment was intended to be taken as IRONIC, it was not actually referring to the 9 year old as such. If comedians have to start censoring material for those unable to comprehend the context from which humor is derived, the world is going to be an even sadder place.
First, the use of the term is always offensive to women. Secondly, it is doubly offensive to women of color. Lastly, it is beyond the pale when used for a 9 year old (female child of color). No apologies Onion. Do some serious personal soul searching. Not talking political correctness here, talking serious lack of character.
am I the only one who gives Onion credit for spelling her name correctly for crissake that's impressive.
So you are saying it is worse to call a black woman this a white woman?
Sorry – typo. It is worse to call a black woman that word than to say it to a white woman?
Lighten up
Please explain how calling a black woman this is more rude than any other ethnicity.
It's racism like yours, disguised as righteous indignation, that is setting race relations in this country back 100 years.
Count me among the disgusted.
Obviously the tweeterer has no couth, class or intelligence. He/she needs to be fired and blackballed from any journalistic career. The "c" word is an idiot's remark.
if that is the worse thing that happens in this lady's career, consider her blessed. also, not sure if you noticed but an 'idiot' would not be able to spell her name correctly with all those accent marks. who's laughing now
I agree with Layne and a bunch of people on here. Lighten up and appreciate the wacked-out spelling of the name was done correctly. That alone rebuffs your claim of the tweeter being an idiot.
Nice. After reading the tweets following the big one in question, the others wanted the name and address of the person who said the nasty word so that they could go beat up the bugger to protect the child. Lord, does this society have a bit of growing up to do on soooooo many accounts. And interestingly, everyone thought it funny as all get out when the Govt of North Korea fell for a news story on the Onion, but now, darn it, it is war to protect the little girl who is a employed in an adult business. If she can't handle the c word, she cannot handle the nasty arena of the entertainment business.
Excuse me, but if this young lady is mature enough to possess a Twitter account then she is also mature enough to be able to handle a bit of seriously biting satire – even that nasty ol word. (I'll have to clarify it for the Einsteins out there – this young person is NOT old enough to have a Twitter account as not everyone is polite and refrains from using naughty words.) Really? 9 y/o and she needs a Twitter acct ??? Please.
1. She shouldn't have a Twitter account at 9 years old, so just because she has an account doesn't make it valid that she's fair game–that's the fault of the parents.
2. Calling anyone that, let alone a child is wrong no matter what, no exceptions. Just because it happens at times doesn't make it acceptable. You want a better world? Set some standards about hate and insults (and that's not the same as disagreeing with someone), correct people who screw them up.
lyn youve obviously never dated my ex girlfriend. She absolutely deserved to be called this as I'm sure there are others.
Obviously it was a bad joke, it wasn't the first one people have heard and its not going to be the last. The Oscars is a night honoring film and television – which historically speaking doesn't always have the best role models. Child actors lives can be very tough due to the public scrutiny, which frankly, is part of the deal. I would never submit my child to that type of thing unless they had the passion and talent that 9 year old Wallis has. If people actually want to do something to make the world a better place get off your butt and turnoff the TV. Quit complaining about an industry that will forever be pushing the boundaries of what is and what isn't acceptable in society. Its these type of provocative occurrences that keep the masses tuned in. It has always been this way.
Can we stop worrying about a little girl who got called a bad name, and start worrying about the millions of kids that actually need help or our heavily polluted and overpopulated planet?
i do that...
remember that one–i'm right there...your not good at it....you can "do it" but your not good at it.
you can just post it....
That's disgusting! C'mon, she's 9 yrs old. Not that anyone should be called that, but a kid?
How can anyone think of calling a nine year old child such a vile name. I have never heard Lindsay Lohan or Kim Kardasian referred to as such. It seems that when the girls or of color ("nappy headed hoes") you can call them anything you desire and then apologize and it's supposed to be forgotten.
Do you seriously not realize kim and lindsay have been called much worse? Do you really think she's been singled out because of her race? Funny how you mention two white women you cant recall being called C but failed to mention all the black women who havent been called C. Either its an issue along racial lines or its not. If its racial, as you say, all black women would be called C and no white women would. As it stands you chose two poor examples as i call both of those women a C on a daily basis. I just dont have the following of the onion so you didnt realize.
I hope the punk who said it is bad enough to show his face!!
there's one with her face on it.
Why don't they identify the writer of the tweet. Put the blame where it belongs and let him personally deal with the negative press. Allowing him to hide behind a companies name is cowardly and a cop out
that one is posted right-
Offensive, wrong, and not really funny? I'd agree.
But I get really ticked off when people try and tell others they "can't" say or write something. Nobody is forced to follow a twitter feed, and one could argue that this little girl is too young to even have a twitter account herself.
I think this young lady is lovely, talented, gifted and smart enough to not take a rude remark like this one and give it more attention than needed. The Onion, like so many publications is not perfect. To try and hold one person responsible is silly and it's also, I think, up to her. They apologized. It's up to her to accept it. Let's move on. As an upcoming( entertainer) actor, she's probably well aware of notorious critics.
I wondered about that. Facebook has an age limit right? What about Twitter?
where have you been....
all fakeom fonio...get help
Even tn the context of "satire" or "comedy", that particular comment was extremely low of The Onion. They deserve every bit of disgust and backlash levied against them.
Your just not good at it and you were never good at it-
the girls in green are on my phone.
this is not your show today....
Once again, somebody has taken the Onion to be a serious.....
Oh, wait, that was the wrong meme.
"....., but a group of girl scouts are running little...." no, that's totally inappropriate and egregious, as old is it is....
Writer bites Onion, causing millions of eyes to water.
Yeah, that's more like it.
The writer should be required to do major penance of some kind.
we had that last week in green
have the green ladies.
when people invade computers, listen to other peoples phone calls without permission, invade homes through televisions and we have never hacked in to your life once and would never do this to our worst enemy
in my 22 years of working for lawyers....we call that a harrassment charge.
we asked a question...if nobody hacked into your information why are you hacked into ours?
i'd rather be me.
your a racist, hate everyone, jealous of others and a hacker all at once....that's a huge accomplishment
i'd rather be me.
ya there...nobody can talk?
and a hacker-would you like your story–announced all over cnn - sweetie?
we have never hacked into your computers and or phones....reason being? do you not have fingers for our answer.
She is very talented and a credit to our peoples.
Which peoples Ignorant Asses of America????
you are capable of hacking into computer and phones....what is the reason? answer?
Whatchoo talkin bout Willis ?
Looks like the Easter Bunny made an early delivery and placed it in my underwear.
I really hope we do not live in society where we accept behavior like this towards a child. It’s sad and disheartening! Here's the line...and you just crossed it!
I agree.
Loser, who cares?
Well. If she goes around singing Gangsta Rap music and hanging out with Chris Brown, what should she expect?
Yeah. Always rapping about drive bys and 40s and her hos on the street. A playa is a playa.
LMAO!! True
its accurate and so very true–good answer.
I really expected it to be much worse. It was just kind of dumb. The bloggers on here are far more creative in their insults. The Onion needs to hire real creative writers like we have here.
I get that the joke was a parallel (calling a fat guy slim) and that it wasn't meant as an attack on a 9 year old. Everyone has a chip on their shoulder about everything anymore. Not every offense to us is a crime, not every personal attack against us requires extreme responses. Maybe it would be better to teach children to handle the jerks of the world with a grain of salt and common sense rather than consider it a personal injustice. That would be awesome.
I agree 100 percent.
Since she has been working in an adult world for a while, and also since the internet has exposed those even younger than her to insults like this and worse (and given people practice using them even at that tender age, no doubt), I suppose she is better equipped to handle the word than 9 year olds would have been when I was that age, in 1959. I hope so. Still that does not excuse whoever did the deed, at least not to me.
I didn't even know of that word, or any of its synonyms, until several years after 1959. But kids grow up much faster these days, I hear.
back too work
I've never been one to shy away from risque humor and even for me this tweet was abhorrent. I think it's simple, leave children – especially the young ones – out of it.
I laughed...obviously she is not a "C-Word" (for all of you people who can't handle a word) It's funny because it is such a ridiculus statement. I am tired of people going crazy over some words people say, and wanting apologies. Freedom or Speech isn't just for if you have something nice to say...
Do you think she thought it was funny? Did her family think it was funny? And Freedom of Speech does not mean freedom from consequences. Personally, I REALLY don't like the word but if directed at an adult, I would expect the adult to address it. But to say it about a 9 year old girl...there is a line and they crossed it.
Honestly, I don't see why she or her family shouldn't find it funny, short of perhaps finding the word itself offensive (and most kids don't find most words offensive unless they're told to by adults). Assuming you accept it as being a pointedly ridiculous comment, it becomes obvious that the butt of the joke is not the little girl, but the adult writing it. The over the top passive-agressive jealousy and pettiness that the writer self-ascribes via the absurd insult puts himself in the spotlight as an object of derision that reflects (and greatly amplifies) the deep down jealousy we all get when other people are recognized for greatness. Of course, it's one of those jokes that's only funny if you not only realize the intent, but also that you were meant to realize it.
Of course, when I put it that way, I'm not too surprised a lot of people didn't get the joke, but the more I think about it, the more I appreciate it.
its a step down in character and people will eventually not look at you.
@Elowitz – Knew it wouldn't be long before an ignoramus such as yourself would find a way to 'Blame Obama' for this!
Ignoramus and imbecile are two of my favorite words. They are funny.
see u in the fall all....
Please don't leave. We will be sad and I will miss you. Not kidding.
Mrs. Gawwett, have you seen Bleeeahhh?
iz fall darnit
Tootie is a fine young actress.
9 did win–congrats too all 9 trophies–see you in the fall!!!!
She was great on the sitcom What's Happening. As Rodge's little sister she stole the show. A very tallented actress.
9 did win their are now all gold....
I wish she had won also. Especially at just 9 years old. It would have been wonderful.
I am so tired of people apologizing! Say what you mean and mean what you say! Get some balls!
Those things are n asty. My ma said to never touch them things.
I'm pretty sure they didn't say what they meant in the first place. The comment was clearly so over the top and directed at someone so clearly undeserving of the pointless insult that it was obviously meant to be taken as an absurdity. But some people don't get absurdist humor, so their apology probably mirrors how they actually feel.
Chantal, the fact that you don't think that calling a 9 year old little girl that word is what's so very wrong in this country. Just because she has a talent and can act, does that mean she's not allowed to be a little girl? It's possible that you don't have children, neither do I, but if someone had verbally attacked my niece like that, they would have to be held accountable for their attempt at humor and explain why they thought it comical.
I think she is truly wonderful and young people like her make the world's future look brighter. I just think people will be people. They say mean thing sometimes.
Honestly, I was pleasantly suprised they didn't bring race into it. What they said was terrible, but not nearly as bad as I expected in today's world.
And what authority would you have to enforce accountability and force an explination from someone? Its legal to be a jerk. Maybe kids, including your niece, would benefit from having thicker skin and not feeling that every slight against them is a personal crime. Some kids have adults in their lives that don't help much there.
Obviously it was a bad joke, it wasn't the first one people have heard and its not going to be the last. The Oscars is a night honoring film and television – which historically speaking doesn't always have the best role models. Child actors lives can be very tough due to the public scrutiny, which frankly, is part of the deal. I would never submit my child to that type of thing unless they had the passion and talent 9 yea old Wallis has. If people actually want to do something to make the world a better place get off your butt and turnoff the TV. Quit complaining about an industry that will forever be pushing the boundaries of what is and what isn't acceptable in society. Its these type of provocative occurrences that keep the masses tuned in. It has always been this way.
Can we stop worrying about a little girl who got called a bad name, and start worrying about the millions of kids that actually need help or our heavily polluted and overpopulated planet?
The Onion is a very liberal publication and since the far left party of hate never met a baby they didn't want to kill, this should only be expected. Welcome to Obama's culture of hate.
The only hateful people on this blog are right wing teabaggers. You hate pretty much everything, don't you? You hate blacks, g ays, the middle class, the poor class, the environment, the unemployed, the elderly, science, ...... I could go on and on. Give a rest there, bagger boy.
The irony is palpable. Wouldn't that make the left the cross carrying, pro-death penalty, gun toting, anti-immigration, and anti civil rights party? You couldn't pack more hate and anti-Americanism into tea bagging right wing stream of consciousness if you wanted to. You have no idea what you are talking about... go back to wherever you crawled out of.
It really wasn't that offensive. Most people have been called far worse. If she stays in Hollywood, she may as well get used to being called names. Oh well.
"Not that offensive?" The C word is just about the most derogatory thing a woman can be referred to! And this creep used it to describe a 9 YEAR OLD LITTLE GIRL!
Do you have kids? Nieces or nephews?!?!!? Try to imagine someone calling your daughter or your niece that. How would you feel?