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Film At Lincoln Center Screening Of "When They See Us"

Source: John Lamparski / Getty

Black Twitter can be a volatile place. Today (June 4), the collective, and the stray gentrifier, is debating the usage of the word “Auntie” on these Internets.

To many it’s a term of endearment. But to other, it’s a shade.

However, the source of today’s online chatter is an interview Van Lathan recently had with When They See Us-director Ava DuVernay. In a clip he shared, she was not feeling being called “Auntie Ava” on Twitter.

She is just not with it. “Why?,” she said. “Am I that old? Auntie Ava? Like Aunt Jemima?”

https://twitter.com/VanLathan/status/1135912633687666688

She did appreciate it as a term of respect, but she’s still not feeling. It parallels the “OG” honorific—are you saying I’m wise, or just old?

Right on cue, Black Twitter took up the debate, with the usual doses of insight and pettiness.

Let us know where you stand? Peep some of the more poignant reactions below. And respect Queen DuVernay’s wishes.

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7. They’ll try to gentrify anything…

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