Seriously?
When Jacqueline Woodson won the Young People’s Literature Prize at the National Book Awards on Wednesday, she never thought she was also going to receive some casual racism thrown her way.
But, that’s exactly what happened when host Lemony Snicket, aka Daniel Handler, congratulated the author of Brown Girl Dreaming by making an off-handed joke that, as a black woman, it was ironic that Jacqueline was allergic to watermelon.
The A Series Of Unfortunate Events author was trying to be funny by tying in a personal story he had with Jacqueline, but it just came across as offensive.
Since his wordy blunder, Daniel has apologized via Twitter, saying:
“My job at last night’s National Book Awards #NBAwards was to shine a light on tremendous writers, including Jacqueline Woodson and not to overshadow their achievements with my own ill-conceived attempts at humor. I clearly failed, and I’m sorry. -DH”
Even if that kind of humor is something he is comfortable sharing with Jaqueline one-on-one, a national event probably wasn’t the best platform to try his hand at line-crossing comedy.
However, if there’s any silver lining to this while story, it’s that Daniel also didn’t make fun of Jacqueline for being an out lesbian!
Congrats, Jacqueline! You deserved the win — we just wish it went a little bit different for you!
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