*While many consider calling a woman of a certain age “auntie” a sign of respect and endearment, Ava DuVernay is not having it.
The acclaimed director recently chopped it up with Van Lathan’s “The Red Pill” podcast and made clear that she would appreciate it if people would stop referring to her as “Auntie Ava” on Twitter.
“Oh my god, that’s horrible,” she said. “First of all, I have a real issue. Like, recently, I’ve been getting called on Twitter, ‘Auntie Ava,” she went on. “Well, let me just say, why? Why? I mean…Am I that old? I don’t feel that old. And it’s not a respect thing. Don’t give me that. Auntie Ava? Like Aunt Jemima?”
Lathan explained the term was used because of the “weight that she brings– the importance,” to which DuVernay responded, “I appreciate that.”
However, she admitted, “I’ve been feeling some kinda way about it.”’
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After the interview, “auntie” began trending on Twitter, with DuVernay suggesting other descriptors for her fans to use when addressing her.
“For the record, I happily respond to: ‘Hello, Ms. DuVernay,’ ‘Hello, Sis,’ ‘Hello, Queen,’ ‘Hello, Family,’ ‘Hello, Ava’ (safest bet),” she tweeted. “Ms. Ava is fine if you’re under 18.”
She continued, “Thanks for showing me respect regardless, Van. Had fun talking to you. Wishing you all good things.”
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Ava’s rejection of the “auntie” label sparked conversation on Black Twitter, with many divided on the issue.
What are your thoughts on this debate? Is calling older women “auntie” shady or sign of respect?
For the record, I happily respond to:
“Hello, Ms. DuVernay”
“Hello, Sis.”
“Hello, Queen.”
“Hello, Family.”
“Hello, Ava” (safest bet)Ms. Ava is fine if you’re under 18.
Thanks for showing me respect regardless, Van. Had fun talking to you. Wishing you all good things. ?
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) June 4, 2019
One Twitter user agreed with Ava, writing “The honorific “Auntie” desexualizes women. It started to bother me when I noticed people using it for Mary J. Mary is putting the young ones to shame; there is no reason to call her Auntie until her knees give out in another twenty years and she decides to park it.”
I’m with @ava. The honorific “Auntie” desexualizes women. It started to bother me when I noticed people using it for Mary J. Mary is putting the young ones to shame; there is no reason to call her Auntie until her knees give out in another twenty years and she decides to park it.
— Kima Jones (@kima_jones) June 4, 2019
Another commented, “I am proudly 49 years old. Y’all call me Auntie, tell me ALL your business, ask for a solid, and treat me with respect. I see it as an honor. But I also see the subtweets when I put it on for the Gram and “desexualized overweight mammy” is NOT where your thoughts are headed.”
I am proudly 49 years old. Y’all call me Auntie, tell me ALL your business, ask for a solid, and treat me with respect. I see it as an honor.
But I also see the subtweets when I put it on for the Gram and “desexualized overweight mammy” is NOT where your thoughts are headed. ? pic.twitter.com/f4a4a2eFMq
— April (@ReignOfApril) June 4, 2019
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