‘Little’ screenwriter responds to backlash over transphobic joke in film
“Little,” a comedy about a 40-year-old woman stuck in 13-year-old’s body, has received positive reviews since it was released a couple of weeks ago, but one joke from the movie is being criticized.
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In the opening sequence of the Atlanta-filmed flick, Regina Hall’s character, Jordan, mistakes a young girl in the hallway of her building for a boy. When the child’s mother corrects her, Jordan replies, “Oh, he’s transitioning.”
Moviegoers quickly pointed out the moment, calling it insensitive and transphobic. Many directed their frustrations toward Tracey Oliver, the lead writer of the project.
Was gonna watch Little today until I heard there’s a pointless transphobic joke in one of the opening scenes. Like why. There’s no need.
— SM (@blackboyjoy13) April 19, 2019
Need a new movie suggestion now smh
“Little” had a hideous and unnecessary transphobic scene and I felt very uncomfortable with that.
— juris des (@wordswithdes22) April 15, 2019
the transphobic joke in little was ugly and it just shows how the black community sucks at dealing with these topics i cant imagine why someone didnt suggest that it should be cut out of the script it highkey turned me off from the rest of the film
— jada (@seulism) April 15, 2019
Oliver took to Twitter to respond to the backlash. She revealed she did not write the joke, and said it was added after her draft was submitted.
“As a feature writer, when you hand your draft(s) into the studio, you have no control over what ends up on screen,” she tweeted. “Often, you're elated. Other times, you're disappointed. I did not write that particular joke and was disappointed to see it. It was insensitive and unnecessary.”
As a feature writer, when you hand your draft (s) into the studio, you have no control over what ends up on screen. Often, you're elated. Other times, you're disappointed. I did not write that particular joke and was disappointed to see it. It was insensitive and unnecessary. https://t.co/0sytsyhBFF
— Tracy Y. Oliver (@TracyYOliver) April 22, 2019
She said she was “shocked” to see it and “wrestled with speaking up or not.”
“That joke doesn’t represent who I am at all,” she added.
It was disheartening and mean spirited. I've been wrestling with speaking up or not, but I had to. That joke doesn't represent who I am at all.
— Tracy Y. Oliver (@TracyYOliver) April 22, 2019
Filmmaker Lena Waithe, a vocal LGTBQ advocate, came to Oliver’s defense on Twitter. She said Oliver is not transphobic and explained TV scripts can also be edited after a draft is turned in.
That can happen on TV shows too. Tracy is an ally - and would never attack any group of people.
— Lena Waithe (@LenaWaithe) April 22, 2019
The film’s studio, Universal Pictures, has not responded to the criticism. The film, which also stars Marsai Martin and Issa Rae, is still in theaters.
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About the Author
Najja Parker is a multimedia journalist covering Black culture for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She is an engaging on-air talent, who has served as a host for the newsroom’s special projects and events, such as the movie premiere of “The South Got Something To Say,” a documentary chronicling the rise of Atlanta hip-hop.
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