The above is a tweet Ms.'s official Twitter account sent today in honor of Rihanna's birthday. It was not well-received.
What the fuck is wrong with y'all? RT @msmagazine happy 25th birthday, Rihanna. Please use your power for good. And stay safe from violence.
What the fuck is wrong with y'all? RT @msmagazine happy 25th birthday, Rihanna. Please use your power for good. And stay safe from violence.-- Mikki Kendall
Let's be clear hat tweet shows @msmagazine's fundamental lack of respect for Rihanna's humanity. Who brings up DV history in bday wishes?
Let's be clear hat tweet shows @msmagazine's fundamental lack of respect for Rihanna's humanity. Who brings up DV history in bday wishes?-- Mikki Kendall
One wonders if anyone @msmagazine bothered to consider the possibility that tweet would be triggering for Rihanna or other readers?
One wonders if anyone @msmagazine bothered to consider the possibility that tweet would be triggering for Rihanna or other readers?-- Mikki Kendall
WTF, @msmagazine ? Awful, awful! RT @msmagazine happy 25th birthday, Rihanna. Please use your power for good. And stay safe from violence.
WTF, @msmagazine ? Awful, awful! RT @msmagazine happy 25th birthday, Rihanna. Please use your power for good. And stay safe from violence.-- astormraider
. @msmagazine: "happy birthday, get it girl, we're rooting for you!" could have worked. more birthday, less blaming. cc @Karnythia
. @msmagazine: "happy birthday, get it girl, we're rooting for you!" could have worked. more birthday, less blaming. cc @Karnythia-- katie presley
[TW] If you wouldn't say "Stay safe from rape," don't say "Stay safe from violence." @msmagazine
[TW] If you wouldn't say "Stay safe from rape," don't say "Stay safe from violence." @msmagazine-- Grace
Ms. eventually deleted the tweet, but when criticized for that, they got defensive:
.@msmagazine a deletion but no apology? once again, keep it classy.
.@msmagazine a deletion but no apology? once again, keep it classy.-- Billie Lee Crockett
@so_treu Didn't think we were victim blaming, but concerned for woman who was abused, spoke out against abuse, then returned to abuser
@so_treu Didn't think we were victim blaming, but concerned for woman who was abused, spoke out against abuse, then returned to abuser-- Ms. Magazine
@so_treu would appreciate being advised on how we missed on this instead of just being hated on. truly. apologies for any missteps made
@so_treu would appreciate being advised on how we missed on this instead of just being hated on. truly. apologies for any missteps made-- Ms. Magazine
Ultimately, though, they did issue an apology:
Apologies for not showing a deeper understanding of the reality of DV survivors' lives.
Apologies for not showing a deeper understanding of the reality of DV survivors' lives.-- Ms. Magazine
Ms. has not yet responded to our request for further comment on the issue.