"She-Ra" Creator Noelle Stevenson Apologizes For Joke Called Racist

She-Ra and the Princesses of Power creator Noelle Stevenson apologized for comments made during a live-stream which fans interpreted as a crass reference to slavery.

While discussing the character "Bow," who is a black archer, she mentioned how the crew had joke rhyming names for his siblings, "Whoa, Woe, Oboe, Gogh, and Sow," all of whom have designs which reflect their names. The name "Sow" rubbed people the wrong way, as he would be defined as a black farmer that works in fields.

PLEASE RT

Here is a clip of Bow's brother names and the joke about "Sow." Noelle primarily explains that all the brothers would have names rhyming with Bow. pic.twitter.com/GTrduo32H5

— dddan (@ArchineerLock) August 27, 2020

Stevenson was criticized by fans of the show who felt the name had racist overtones.

To everyone. PLEASE continue supporting She-Ra. BUT PLEASE stop supporting Noelle Stevenson. What she did in that livestream was unacceptable and was disgusting behaviour. She and her crew made racist comments and made things disgusting for disabled and POC people.

— A JOLLY GOOD EARL (@AgainOlivia) August 27, 2020

WHY WOULD I EXCEPT ANYTHING DIFFERENT FROM THE SHE RA CREW?? NOELLE STEVENSON HAVING AN INSIDE RACIST ASS JOKE WITH HER WHITE ASS CREW?!?

that's so fucking disappointing. like i talk shit about the show but i loved it. and now it's ruined honest to god. 😭😭

— bop boi -- tw for colors (@basicboibabe) August 27, 2020

@Gingerhazing how are you gonna talk about uplifting poc voices when a member of your crew casually made a joke about slavery

— ✨mau✨ 💜toh spoilers💜 (@starlightmau) August 27, 2020

In response, Stevenson swiftly apologized and provided context for the joke. She ackowledged its racist overtones and gave a drawing about what she and her cast were referring to.

Hey everyone, I made a very careless statement in today's stream that hurt a lot of Black fans and fans of color. The implications did not occur to me and that lapse in judgment is fully, 100% on me. I apologize wholeheartedly and I'm sorry for the hurt caused and trust lost.

— Noelle Stevenson (@Gingerhazing) August 27, 2020

I take the responsibility of creating a safe and positive space for fans very seriously, and I've failed in that today. Thank you for making your voices heard. I will be rededicating myself to examining my language and behavior so that this failure will never be repeated.

— Noelle Stevenson (@Gingerhazing) August 27, 2020

And for white and nonblack fans, please remember that I do not need defending and do not harass or add emotional labor to those hurt by this. I accept the consequences and will be taking serious action to make this right in any way I can.

— Noelle Stevenson (@Gingerhazing) August 27, 2020

Hi. I just want to say that I am so, so sorry for what I said. I fucked up. This was the image I was referring to, an inside joke with the crew that I didn't think twice about. It was exceedingly careless and I'm sorry for the hurt I caused. pic.twitter.com/Kzwa1IHCyx

— Noelle Stevenson (@Gingerhazing) August 27, 2020

While the backlash was harsh, there were some who were confused as to why it even occurred, as the joke about a character named Sow who farms didn't strike them as particularly racist.

And for white and nonblack fans, please remember that I do not need defending and do not harass or add emotional labor to those hurt by this. I accept the consequences and will be taking serious action to make this right in any way I can.

— Noelle Stevenson (@Gingerhazing) August 27, 2020

I've heard racist jokes at my expense and racist beliefs veiled as jokes my whole life, and this was neither.

Don't tear down genuine allies for making honest mistakes and owning up to them. It makes creators hesitant to openly support causes because of the increased scrutiny.

— dennys_boi (@dennys_boi) August 27, 2020

I don't think she said it with the intention of ridicule, when we didn't say something by accident? Noelle was very supportive of the movement when George's terrible events happened, she has always shown great support to the community.

— Lincolndon (@Lincolndon1) August 27, 2020