Ellen Pompeo is being attacked because she used an emoji that didn't match her race. Yes, really.
— NeoN: Automataster (@neontaster) December 24, 2016
You really can’t make this up.
Actress Ellen Pompeo, star of “Grey’s Anatomy,” responded to this news story on A&E changing the name of its “Generation KKK” show with two “black emojis”…
Thank U @aetv for caring enough to make changes ????A&E Changes ‘Generation KKK’ Title | Variety https://t.co/bvwsLCKDZ6
— Ellen Pompeo (@EllenPompeo) December 23, 2016
…which set off a wave of criticism. Literally (@sarahsdrew has since protected her account, but here’s the tweet that started it all):
Were you ever so woke that you advocated for emoji segregation? pic.twitter.com/A5vh91m6gF
— NeoN: Automataster (@neontaster) December 24, 2016
And here’s Ellen’s perfectly reasonable response:
Don't be a hater I do it because racism is not just a black problem it is all of our problem get it??? https://t.co/GehrNAHIOa
— Ellen Pompeo (@EllenPompeo) December 23, 2016
Which then led to more hatred:
https://twitter.com/VirgoanKing/status/812433563580821504
Wait for it…
That's white lady with a black husband and black children to you babe ? https://t.co/BTQuSHJ1sr
— Ellen Pompeo (@EllenPompeo) December 23, 2016
But that’s not good enough and she was accused of using her black husband and kids as props:
https://twitter.com/PARlS_GELLER/status/812439424449576960
https://twitter.com/marianasfosters/status/812440228535345152
It's not so much you using the black emojis as it is your response to people who expressed concern about it, @EllenPompeo
— Auntie Thunder Thighs (@thejournalista) December 24, 2016
You can't be like "My husband and kids are black" AND be dismissive of the concerns of black people when they express to you. @EllenPompeo
— Auntie Thunder Thighs (@thejournalista) December 24, 2016
That entire stance comes from a position of your privilege as a white woman. Don't do this. Please. @EllenPompeo
— Auntie Thunder Thighs (@thejournalista) December 24, 2016
And you reducing the argument down to it being just about emoji usage is gaslighting and dismissive. @EllenPompeo
— Auntie Thunder Thighs (@thejournalista) December 24, 2016
What the hell is happening?
What's crazy is how angry everyone is… this is all about emojis people
— Ellen Pompeo (@EllenPompeo) December 23, 2016
At least some people were good natured about it:
Wait. So @EllenPompeo has been engaged in a 3-hour Twitter battle over the use of these emojis? THREE HOURS?! That's almost a round of golf! https://t.co/N2cPGmFnEx
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) December 24, 2016
https://twitter.com/vansbootslarry/status/812429344769449984
I'm still trying to figure out who tf the yellow emojis were made for ?✌️
— Jordyn Rowland (@RowlandJordyn) December 23, 2016
The world’s gone mad.
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