Too Far: The Onion Calls Quvenzhane Wallis a “C-nt!”

Satirical newspaper The Onion is used to being in hot water…but this time even they might have gone too far.

The ‘tongue-in-check’ news source is facing a torrential backlash over an offensive tweet directed at 9-year old Best Actress nominee Quvenzhane Wallis. They tweeted:

Umm…wow.

Granted, The Onion is generally known for poking fun at celebrities and other public figures, and, many times, they are usually saying what everyone else is thinking. However, they soon found out that no one was laughing at their Quvenzhane Wallis “joke.” On the contrary, many viewed the joke to be in bad taste, and criticized The Onion for crossing the line.

Actor Wendell Pierce, star of hit HBO shows “The Wire” and “Treme,” had this to say:

@theonion Identify the writer. Let him defend that abhorrent verbal attack of a child. You call it humor I call it horrendous.
— Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) February 25, 2013

Others have also come to Quvenzhane’s defense:

We’re helping by discussing what a stranger said I mean typed about a deeply, talented, beautiful child of God who amazes us w/ her gift.
— Jill Scott (@missjillscott) February 25, 2013

And who are the 417 fools who retweeted @theonion‘s shameful comment about Quvenzhane, and the 306 that favorited it? Talk about idiots!
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) February 25, 2013

HipHollywood has reached out to The Onion for comment, but so far, no response. However, the entertainment site all but admitted they were in the wrong by (quietly) deleting the post.

But is that enough? Should someone accept responsibility for the offensive tweet and issue a public apology? Let us know you thoughts below!

In the meantime, it seems that young Quvenzhane will get the last laugh. The talented young actress has just been named as Willow Smith’s replacement in the highly anticipated “Annie” remake! Congratulations Quvenzhane!