Welcome to Outrage Watch, HitFix's semi-regular rundown of entertainment-related kerfuffles. Not anxious enough already? Get your fix of righteous indignation below, and stay posted for outrage updates throughout the week.
Today has been a pretty good day for outrage, and I have HitFix's own Katie Hasty to thank for that. And also, I guess, Piers Morgan, who is the absolute worst.
Here's a rundown for you:
1. In response to Nicki Minaj's heavily-publicized Twitter rant about “Anaconda's” lack of a Video of the Year nomination at the MTV VMAs — and her accompanying critique of the institutionalized racism and sexism that still plagues the music industry — Piers Morgan posted an inflammatory article over at the Daily Mail intelligently titled “Don”t play the race or skinny cards, Ms Minaj – you”re just a stroppy little piece of work whose video wasn”t as good as Taylor Swift”s.” Huh.
2. HitFix's own Katie Hasty posts response article calling Morgan out for, among other offenses: a) painting so-called “Black Twitter” with the broadest possible brush; b) lacking the cleverness he clearly believes he possesses; c) using reductive, dehumanizing phrases to describe a black woman musician; d) using the irrelevant fact that Minaj was fired from a Red Lobster restaurant “God knows however many years ago” against her; e) failing to back up his claim that the “Anaconda” video wasn't “good” enough to be nominated for Video of the Year; f) using a personal vendetta against Minaj as ammunition for an attack that has nothing at all to do with her alleged refusal to speak with his children backstage at a concert; and g) so, so many more things. You should really read it.
3. Piers Morgan and Katie Hasty exchange barbs on Twitter, wherein Morgan continues to betray his utter ignorance by referring to Hasty, a woman, as “barking,” as in “crazy,” as in “mad,” which Hasty reminds him is “another example of oppressive language,” full exchange below:
1/3 @piersmorgan As a writer and performer, you know that language can be oppressive, and words can be violent. Recognizing precedent, power
– Katie Hasty (@TheKatieHasty) July 23, 2015
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2/3 @piersmorgan and privilege of your words can be a step to diminishing the ills of sexism and racism. I'm genuine when I say it's an
– Katie Hasty (@TheKatieHasty) July 23, 2015
3/3 @piersmorgan exciting potential learning moment, for you and your fans, to engage with the clout of your vocabulary and perspective.
– Katie Hasty (@TheKatieHasty) July 23, 2015
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Just read your 3 response tweets @TheKatieHasty. My apologies, you”re obviously completely barking. Sorry to have bothered you.
– Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 23, 2015
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I called you ‘barking” not ‘crazy”. > RT @TheKatieHasty .@piersmorgan Calling women “crazy” is another example of oppressive language.
– Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 23, 2015
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.@piersmorgan barking is slang for crazy. Unless you meant dog? Or that I”m from Barking?
– Katie Hasty (@TheKatieHasty) July 23, 2015
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4. The world continues to turn; Piers Morgan continues to be just awful.