When writing about an Emmy-nominated writer, producer and director who is known for her reputation of putting women of color in lead roles in an industry that still lacks diversity, it is inadvisable to call her an "angry black woman."
Shonda Rhimes took to Twitter Friday to express her anger at New York Times television critic Alessandra Stanley for deeming her just that in a review of her hit shows.
Stanley was reviewing How To Get Away With Murder, a show Rhimes co-writes, when she called the character played by Viola Davis is "an angry black woman" in her creator's image.
"When Shonda Rhimes writes her autobiography, it should be called 'How to Get Away With Being an Angry Black Woman,'" she wrote as her lede.
She reflected on the other characters in her hit shows including Olivia Pope, played by Kerry Washington, in Scandal and Dr. Miranda Bailey, played by Chandra Wilson, in Grey's Anatomy -- both African-American women who are known for their bold attitudes.
"Ms. Rhimes has embraced the trite but persistent caricature of the Angry Black Woman, recast it in her own image and made it enviable," she wrote.
Rhimes did not appreciate Stanley's racial generalizations. She took to Twitter to voice her annoyance.
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
And even if she were the creator, that does not mean she is an "angry black woman."
Apparently we can be "angry black women" together, because I didn't know I was one either! @petenowa #LearnSomethingNewEveryday
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) September 19, 2014
She also stated she never received such a descriptor when people discussed her white female leads Ellen Pompeo and Kate Walsh when their characters when on "rants."
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
She also takes offense to being called just a "romance writer."
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