New York Times television critic Alessandra Stanley wasted no time addressing Shonda Rhimes’ race in a piece on the upcoming ABC series, How To Get Away with Murder: “When Shonda Rhimes writes her autobiography, it should be called ’How to Get Away With Being an Angry Black Woman.'”
Stanley writes that Murder, starring two-time Oscar nominee Viola Davis, is the latest Rhimes vehicle to feature a “powerful, intimidating black woman” as its central character. While executive produced by Rhimes and Betsy Beers, the series was created by Peter Nowalk (a white man).
With her hand in yet another prominent television series, Rhimes — who created Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, and Scandal — is one of the most powerful women in Hollywood. As many were already scratching their heads at Stanley’s piece, she responded directly to the article in question on Twitter Friday morning:
Confused why @nytimes critic doesn't know identity of CREATOR of show she's reviewing. @petenowa did u know u were "an angry black woman"?
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) September 19, 2014
@shondarhimes Maybe there’s a class we can take. So much to learn. Sigh.
— Pete Nowalk (@petenowa) September 19, 2014
Final thing: (then I am gonna do some yoga): how come I am not “an angry black woman” the many times Meredith (or Addison!) rants? @nytimes
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) September 19, 2014
Wait. I’m” angry” AND a ROMANCE WRITER?!! I’m going to need to put down the internet and go dance this one out. Because ish is getting real.
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) September 19, 2014
Rhimes’ cast members also shared thoughts on Twitter.
Wow. Did I just read a @nytimes piece that reduced my brilliant, creative, compassionate, thoughtful, badass boss to an “angry black woman?”
— Joshua Malina (@JoshMalina) September 19, 2014
Dance it out, @shondarhimes. Dance it out.
— Katie Lowes (@KatieQLowes) September 19, 2014
Dear @nytimes
http://t.co/20dzCSLKsx
AND
http://t.co/VJQ7n0Ujdn
You're welcome.
Love,
K-Dub
— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) September 19, 2014
For those who are keeping score, Stanley has a history of controversial opinions and notable public missteps.
ABC’s ShondaLand Thursdays kicks off on Thursday, Sept. 25 with the season premieres of Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal, and the series premiere of How To Get Away with Murder.
[Photo Credit: Getty Images]