Mark Ruffalo apologizes for ‘gypsy’ slur, begs Marvel for Black Widow merch

Mark Ruffalo

Mark Ruffalo earned his spot as one of “The Offenders” during the cringeworthy Age of Ultron press tour. He didn’t approach levels of Robert Downey Jr. offensiveness, and he didn’t call Black Widow a “wh*re and slut like Chris Evans and Jeremy Renner. But Ruffalo did step in it during a visit to Graham Norton two weeks ago. Elizabeth Olsen called Scarlet Witch a gypsy, and Norton warned her that the term is a derogatory term for Romani people. That should have been the end of the discussion, but Ruffalo and Jeremy Renner decided to chant, “gypsy, gypsy.” Norton was pretty peeved in response.

Norton’s people ended up editing out the offending portion from the final episode, but someone asked Mark about it on Twitter this weekend.

Ruffalo seems pretty sincere, and this tiny tweet is a better apology than Evans and Renner’s obligatory ones. I still don’t know why Ruffalo and Renner would chant an ethnic slur immediately after Norton admonished Olsen. Maybe these two guys are complete drunkfaces too. That’s still not an excuse.

Ruffalo also made this bold statement on Twitter last week.

Did Ruffalo just redeem himself? He’s the only male Avengers who has acknowledged Marvel’s astonishing lack of Black Widow merch. My niece wants an action figure for her birthday. Boys want them too, but you can’t find them anywhere. The only ones available are limited edition figures (leftover from Iron Man 2) that cost hundreds of dollars. It’s ridiculous, and thank goodness Ruffalo said something.

FYI: Entertainment Weekly has an in-depth analysis on ScarJo’s portrayal and how three different directorial teams have treated the Black Widow character. Oh … and this weekend’s episode of SNL had a Black Widow romcom sketch starring Scarlett Johansson herself. “Marvel gets women.

Mark Ruffalo

Mark Ruffalo

Mark Ruffalo

Photos courtesy of WENN

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151 Responses to “Mark Ruffalo apologizes for ‘gypsy’ slur, begs Marvel for Black Widow merch”

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  1. GoodNamesAllTaken says:

    Well, that was childish. At least he apologized.

    • Liv says:

      I don’t get them. Don’t they have media training?

      That said I know that you are not supposed to say “gipsy” anymore, but I don’t get why. Isn’t it a phrase like nomads? We are forbidding everything these days. Many terms are better not said, but we should stop forbidding terms and start getting more sensitive and understanding towards people who are discriminated.

      • idontknowyouyoudontknowme says:

        Well being referred to as a gypsy is still offensive, especially when Roma or Romani are the proper term (similarly to how there are terms for Jewish, African american, etc minorities which are acceptable and which aren’t, which have historic and racist backgrounds and which don’t).
        They still face a lot of discrimination in Europe unfortunately, mostly being seen as lazy, uneducated, thuggish, dirty.

      • Gretchen says:

        @Liv I don’t see why the two actions (dropping some words from our lexicon vs understanding discrimination) need to be mutually exclusive? Surely one of the fastest and simplest ways to begin behaving more sensitively towards discriminated groups is by refusing to use, and calling out others usage, of terms they have stated are derogatory towards them.

      • melodycalder says:

        Isn’t there a TV show called my big fat gypsie wedding or something? If you want to put it in par with other slurs, then it needs to not be used so casually by the media and the very people out is about.

      • Liv says:

        What I mean is that there are terms which shouldn’t be said but are not racist per se. I get that you shouldn’t use the term towards people, but why not in other contexts? I never would say things like “Oh you’re a gipsy”, but why not “I moved around so much recently, I feel like a gipsy.” I don’t think that I’d discriminate people by the last sentence. I don’t use the word because I know it’s often insensitive, so whatever, but my point is, that certain words disappear from our vocabulary because they were once misused and I don’t know if that’s the right way.

      • Gretchen says:

        I just don’t think that *we* (the non-affected) get to decide. If people belonging to a marginalised group say: “that term is not ok”, that’s more than enough for me to stop using it.

      • ava7 says:

        I grew up with the term “gypsy” (as in the song by Cher, “Gypsies, Tramps, and Theives”) and once as a child dressed up like a gypsy for Halloween. Nobody knew then there was anything offensive about it. There’s a band called “The Gipsy Kings” and then there was a show on TLC called “My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding” which had an entirely Gypsy/Romani/Traveller cast that didn’t seem to object to the title. I have several European friends who use the term without apology (usually talking about music style or dancing style) so I’m not sure when it became so offensive.

      • Gretchen says:

        @ava7 maybe a good analogy is that of cultural appropriation, it’s always been around and it’s always been problematic, but it is only recently that people outside the affected group/s are listening and thinking about it critically.

        The TLC show was based on a programme that originally aired in the UK – I don’t know about the US reception – and I remember it receiving a lot of criticism both within and without traveller and Roma communities.

      • Veronica says:

        Gypsy has a long history of negative connotations associated with it. (The word “gypped” actually comes from it, referring to the reputation of Romani as criminal and untrustworthy.) There’s been a lot of pushback in the last couple of years to discard the term and use the proper ethnic terminology of Romani. Most Europeans are probably more keenly aware of the issues surrounding the treatment of Romani, but most Americans still use the term interchangeably, and it’s fairly invasive in terms of its media presence.

      • Tiffany :) says:

        “The word “gypped” actually comes from it, referring to the reputation of Romani as criminal and untrustworthy”

        I just recently learned this, I am sad to say. I heard the word and I remembered using it during childhood and thought…something is telling me I need to look into the history of that word. I tried searching for the spelling “jipped”, but then saw how it was really spelled and the light bulb went off.

    • mytbean says:

      What the what? Gypsy is offensive?

      I guess Fleetwood Mac didn’t know. Or Gypsy Rose.

      Maybe it originated with Romany people but for everyone everywhere it doesn’t associate at all. I think nomadic life or free loving hippy attitude or a boho style. I don’t see anything offensive about it at all…

      So are we saying that here’s another word that can’t be said regardless of intent or context? Screw that. I’m over strangers shaming people about ideas that aren’t even presented in the first place especially when the kerfuffle is based on the assumption that words mean the same thing to everyone everywhere and/or even that they should.

      • TrustMOnThis says:

        Your associations of “free love ” or “boho ” style are racist associations. And they are incorrect. Just be the bigger person and show some sensitivity and respect. Even if you don’t get it. It doesn’t matter in your life but it means a lot to other people. That should be enough.

      • Gretchen says:

        @TrustMOnThis Word.

        @mytbean There is no shortage of words in the English language, I don’t get why people get so indignant about dropping a few after being informed that they oppress marginalised groups. Traveller and Roma communities in the UK have lower life expectancy, high illiteracy rates, poorer education, health and economic outcomes, and are targeted disproportionately by social services, police and are frequent targets of hate crimes. Many within those communities have explicitly stated that they find that word derogatory and you can’t even muster up a modicum of respect or empathy to drop it? Are you serious?

        The N-word doesn’t have the same historical associations in the UK as the US, so does that mean we Brits can start throwing that word around? Even after we’ve been informed of its significance? Screw THAT.

      • ava7 says:

        @mytbean: I feel you. I was severely scolded last year for saying I was “bundled up like an Eskimo” on a ski trip. I had no idea that it had become racist to say “Eskimo”. So, I guess no more “Eskimo kisses” (rubbing noses) with my nieces and nephews. I feel like every time I turn around, something new is racist.

      • Gretchen says:

        @Ava7 but don’t you think that is preferable to belonging to a marginalised group and every time you turn around you face racist words and representations?

        Seriously, THERE ARE SO MANY WORDS, why do such a few matter so much when they actively hurt people? Why do people think that their discomfort at not saying words deemed racist in any way outweighs another persons comfort at not having their ethnicity or culture derided, oppressed or fetishised?

      • ava7 says:

        @Gretchen: I had no idea “Eskimo” was a racist word. Nor “Gypsy”. I would never intentionally hurt someone. But I didn’t think to do a study on aboriginal groups of Northern Canada and Alaska and what terms they might find offensive before I described my attire. Nor did I have any idea (until reading this article) that Gypsy was a “racist” term, since it’s so widely used and I never heard anyone complain.

      • maybeiamcrazy says:

        @Gretchen Dropping a few words is not hard, keeping up with the words we are supposed to drop is. It is the first time i heard that ‘gypsy’ was an offensive term, probably first time for Ruffalo and Renner too. They may not simply grasp how offensive it is. It is not that easy to grasp the offensiveness of the word when you are not a part of the culture. I can’t imagine n-word having the same effect in Latvia for example.

      • Gretchen says:

        Sure, but why is that a problem? You use a word you weren’t aware is offensive and get called out, great! You learn something new every day.

        As for hypothetical people in Latvia, if a Latvian celebrity was being interviewed in the US, used the N-word, was informed that the word was offensive and they then proceeded to chant it, wouldn’t you call that behaviour at the very least deeply insensitive? Would it be terrible to call them out? Surely the first thing you do when informed that you have, even unknowingly, used oppressive language say “I’m so sorry, I didn’t know that, thanks for informing me”.

      • maybeiamcrazy says:

        Of course! The problem is gypsy is a widely used term. There are songs, tv series etc. with the word and there has not been a complaint about it AFAIK. I am not saying they were right, i am just saying they may not notice how offensive that word is in UK, since it is not in their culture. I cannot be angry with them or label them as racists or some other ‘ist’ word before watching the video. We don’t know the tone Norton used.

      • Gretchen says:

        @maybeiamcrazy yes it is unfortunately widely used, but the fact that the channel would not air that segment speaks volumes. If it was widely accepted in the UK they wouldn’t have cut it from the aired show.

        And it’s fine that they didn’t know, I don’t have a problem with people not knowing the cultural significance of certain words outside of their own country, what I do have a problem with is the fact that after being informed they chant it like insensitive brats.

      • Anna says:

        If you aren’t Romani it isn’t your place to be deciding what’s offensive or what isn’t.
        I hope you grow up one day and stop throwing around G*psy like its nothing

    • Geekychick says:

      @Liv, would you say “He’s cheap like a K.ke(my god, I feel so awful even writing this)” And feel ok? Or some other racial slur about Hebrews and still feel ok? “I travel like a gypsy” is insensitive and yes, it’s not ok.

      • Timbuktu says:

        It is different, though, not in essence, but in degree, I suppose. I don’t know ANY positive stereotypes associated with the offensive word used for Jews.
        I do agree that “gypsy” acquired a bit of a positive and romantic patina in music and literature over the years that I do not think other offensive words have.

      • Gretchen says:

        But the romantic associations aren’t realistic representations, they fetishize and exoticise them, which is equally racist because even “positive” stereotypes objectify the group, and make them people of the “imagination” rather than real human beings. This tendency can also be seen with the treatment of Native Americans in the US, ie The “noble” savage, a perceived supernatural closeness with nature etc

        I’d recommend reading even just the first few paragraphs of this article:http://www.vidaweb.org/twenty-gypsy-women-you-should-be-reading/

        One excerpt: “Over time, Gypsy became a racial slur, especially in the lowercase “gypsy,” and antigypsyist language is normalized in many languages. In American-English, for example, antigypsyist slurs are idiomatic (eg: That shopkeeper gypped me!). Racial slurs for Roma and Travellers include “Gypsy,” Gyppo,” “Gyp,” and for Travellers specifically, “Pikey” and “Knacker.” Despite this, Gypsy is often appropriated by gadjé and misused to describe anything occult, whimsical, sexual, or criminal, which both perpetuates harmful stereotypes and insultingly implies that “being Gypsy” is a lifestyle choice or a state of mind or spirit. This is particularly problematic considering the current global Romani and Traveller human rights crisis. However, some Roma and Travellers choose to reclaim Gypsy as an act of linguistic and identity empowerment, whereas some Roma, especially of the older generations (like my grandmother) just prefer Gypsy. If you aren’t Romani or Traveller, use Roma and Romani or Traveller instead of Gypsy or any other slurs, and if you are Romani or Traveller, you’re free to reclaim or shun the word Gypsy as you see fit.”

      • Gretchen says:

        @Timbuktu, another example could be the term “jewess”, while not considered as outright offensive as other anti-semitic slurs, it also contained some level of “positive” association (mostly exotic/forbidden/mysterious sexuality), still the word has largely fallen out of usage because many Jews have spoken up about how the term is derogatory.

      • Timbuktu says:

        Gretchen,
        I’ve never heard the term “jewess”, so can’t compare them.
        As for your long post, I am quite aware of these problems. I actually took a class in linguistics once that focused on minorities, and I actually had 2 Europeans in my class, one from Romania, who wrote her entire thesis on the Romani. She interviewed a lot of them, and did extensive research of their legal status throughout history. So, I actually spend a lot of hours thinking and talking about this issue – something not everyone has a chance to do.
        But here’s the thing: in that class, never once do I remember anyone mentioning the term “travelers” (does it have to have a double “l”? I’m honestly asking, my autocorrect is not happy with “ll”). I took that class about 8 years ago.
        I think that therein lies the reason some people get so annoyed with this: acceptable words seem to be in flux, new influential thinkers appear, they object to some old words, come up with new ones. People outside of Academia and a few other fields just do not keep up with words like that, and quite frankly, if the words come in and out of predominant use every 8-10 years, I’m not sure that we really should expect anyone to keep up, except for specialists and experts.

      • Gretchen says:

        If Graham Norton has the wherewithal to state that the term “gypsy” is derogatory on his talk show, I don’t think it follows that the discussion is limited to academia or specialised fields of interest, It’s pretty mainstream. And it’s not just lone academic thinkers, it’s entire communities saying this word is not ok. As for Travellers, they are of Irish and British origin so it makes sense they wouldn’t be mentioned in an essay about Romani history. It also Isn’t a new word or the newly preferred term for their communities.

        It’s not the ignorance of the derogatory nature of the word that got me and others riled up, if that was the case Olsen would be the primary target for saying it in the first place, it was the fact that after being informed Ruffalo and Renner decide to chant it like schoolkids learning their first swear word.

      • Timbuktu says:

        Actually, I think that TV talk show hosts, anchors, etc. are exactly the specialized field of interest. They are saying stuff on TV, they have to stay current or they will be bashed all the time. They are usually trained, it’s an entire science: what dialect can the TV hosts use, what words, what the acceptable pronunciation of words is, etc. So, I do not see Graham Norton bringing it up as proof that it is mainstream at all, far from it.
        And yes, there are entire communities saying that the word is not ok, but they are minorities, and, therefore, not mainstream either.
        It wasn’t an “essay” about Romani history I was talking about, but a colleague who is well versed on the subject, who did years of research and wrote a thesis on it. I spent a semester in the same classroom with her. It still surprises me that the word never came up, even if it was slightly outside of her immediate field of interest.

        As for Ruffalo and Renner, I completely agree, the chanting was stupid. But I see a lot of people on here catching slack for saying “I had no idea “gypsy” was offensive, what about songs, what about literature, etc.”. And my thinking is: it IS hard to stay current on all of these developments going on all over the world, some in quite remote countries whose press you don’t read, whose TV you don’t watch, etc.

      • Gretchen says:

        Yes, and if it’s on tv a LOT of people have access to that information, it is not relegated to the dusty halls of academia away from public view. I can’t speak for why your friend didn’t mention it, it is the common and preferred term, not some new fad.

        The thing is that Europe isn’t remote, and there aren’t tonnes of new developments, for at least a decade “gypsy” = no, Roma or Traveller = preferred. And I don’t think commenters here were getting slack for saying they didn’t know it was offensive, they were getting slack for saying things like (paraphrasing) “I didn’t know, it’s positive for me, so I’ll keep using it”, “I didn’t know, this is no big deal”, and “But the stereotypes I associate with “gypsy” are positive, so why do I have to stop using it” or calling it a “non-issue”.

      • timbuktu says:

        A decade is very little time as far as language habits go.
        And I never said it was just Academia. News journalists, human rights lawyers, social workers, humanitarian workers, politicians are all among people who need to stay current. But many many other people do not.

  2. Two Degrees says:

    My boyfriend is forgiven. 🙂

  3. Kath says:

    While ‘Roma’ or ‘Traveller’ are used (the latter for Irish so-called ‘tinkers’), I actually didn’t think ‘gypsy’ was considered offensive generally, especially as it continues to be used to refer to those groups who died in Nazi camps. I also don’t think the context in which Elizabeth Olsen used it was offensive (‘gypsy style’), but I guess the issue was the obnoxious chanting AFTER Renner and Ruffalo were told it was offensive.

    I dunno – happy to be corrected.

    And is it just me, or is Renner a complete a-hole?

    • Sixer says:

      I think it’s a European thing, where anti-traveller prejudice is extremely high (look up the recent Irish scandal of social services randomly taking blue-eyed traveller children into care due to the “baby-stealer” mythos). It’s even worse elsewhere in Europe.

      It’s almost like the last acceptable prejudice here, so y’know. Pikey, gyppo, tinker – nasty terms abound and it’s best to avoid. Traveller or Roma are the right words to use.

      I think it’s a good apology. He didn’t realise. He cocked up. Someone called him on it and he said sorry.

      I think this is the risk Graham Norton runs by loosening up his guests with liberal amounts of alcohol. They get excited and can run their mouths without catching the cues to when it’s gone a bit wrong.

      • Bedhead says:

        Italics are fixed, my apologies!

      • Sixer says:

        Haha. I saw and removed my remark. Sorry, Bedhead!

      • MtnRunner says:

        I’ve discussed this on previous “Offenders” threads already, so I won’t rehash here. It’s a word with romantic connotations in the US and coupled with the alcohol consumption that may have been in play, it’s quite possible that he did miss the cues he was getting from Norton. Without seeing the clip for myself, I’m fine with Fluffalo’s apology and ready to move on.

      • Lilacflowers says:

        @mtnrunner, but it also has very negative, offensive connotations here as well. For example: to “gyp” someone or to be “gyped,” which is hardly a romantic notion. Best to avoid the term in all variations

      • MtnRunner says:

        Lilac, I don’t think that’s true of the average American. Of course, we have different experiences and cultural awareness, but on the whole, the way gypsies have been portrayed in TV, film, books and song, they we’re not portrayed as criminals. People have worn that label proudly over here.

        I had no idea that “gypped” came from gypsy until someone mentioned it on a prior thread. I’ve seen that word spelled “jipped”, giving no indication of where it came from. In fact, that’s the spelling my phone came up with when I spoke the word in that last sentence.

        I think this is an important conversation to have and I’ve certainly learned a lot more about the origins of that word and what that means to the Roma people. hopefully other Americans have too. at this point, I’m so exhausted from all of the “offender” threads, I’m ready to jump on a more lighthearted thread and enjoy some comedy.

      • Gretchen says:

        @Sixer Wasn’t the social services scandal in Greece and involving a Romani community, not Irish travellers?

        Anyhoo, I don’t see how he didn’t know….Graham Norton just informed him seconds before that the term is offensive. I find it odd that someone’s (in this case two people’s) first reaction on being informed that a word is derogatory is to begin chanting it, on tv no less. Well, not so surprising for Renner, actually. This press tour seems to have removed all and any doubt that he’s douche of epic proportions.

      • Sixer says:

        Gretchen – both happened, I’m pretty sure. Where’s Lindy when you need her for confirmation?! Plus, the French expulsion referred to below. Plus, the UK forever trying to close stopping places. Plus the ongoing violence and intimidation in other parts of Europe. SIGH.

      • claire says:

        @Gretchen: Graham is so sarcastic and pretty un-PC himself sometimes that it’s possible Mark didn’t think he was being serious and was being sarcastic and mocking about the PC crowd itself. Ya know?

      • mytbean says:

        Lilac – oddly enough I still associate that with something kind of romantic… basically a group of grifters who do whatever they have to do to get by, including “gipping” people by selling handmade or scavenged trinkets for more than they’re worth to naive people willing to take part in a fantasy – in a way it’s a warped admiration for clever street smarts, a survival kind of thing. It makes me think of “The Riches” (series with Eddie Izzard) – Granted, it’s criminal but not the mug you and leave you for dead or shut down a business kind of crime.

      • Gretchen says:

        @Sixer, I googled but couldn’t find anything, not that that would be surprising though, government mistreatment of travellers and romani people is ridiculously under reported. I was just surprised ’cause a lot of Irish travellers are fair complected, so I didn’t think blue-eyed, fair babies would be rare in their communities (?). (BTW I wasn’t doubting they face discrimination, I just hadn’t heard of that specific case)

        @Claire, I get what you’re saying, I just don’t think that’s how it went down. Even with Norton’s sense of humour, I can’t see how “that term is derogatory” can be taken as “Funny joke! Let’s chant it!!” KWIM?

      • jammypants says:

        I agree. He’s American. As an American myself, I had no idea that it’s a racial slur. I do think of was good of Norton to inform them. I think his apology was sincere.

      • Sixer says:

        @ Gretchen – I saw something on TV about it a year or so back, in the wake of the Greek scandal. A traveller spokesperson/talking head was outlining a load of examples and suggesting the UK and Ireland shouldn’t feel in the least bit complacent. I can’t think of the guy’s name offhand, but he’s a traveller and author. He speaks up quite often on traveller issues on UK news.

      • Gretchen says:

        Thanks Sixer, I’ll keep Googling 🙂

      • Gretchen says:

        Great, thanks!

    • Shambles says:

      It’s definitely not just you. Jeremy Renner is a complete a-hole.

      ETA: better yet, he is king DoucheBro of all the DoucheBros.

    • Joy says:

      I know in here America, they call themselves gypsies, they tattoo GYPSY on their bodies all day long, and that’s just what people call them. Hell even their obituaries will mention that they were a gypsy. I guess in Europe it’s a big deal?

      • Franca says:

        It’s pretty big deal in my country. And they do call themselves that, but if a news anchor used that word or soemthing liek that it would be offensive. Similar to the n-word.

    • Geekychick says:

      @Gretchen
      I found it right away about the “kidnapped” child:

    • Gretchen says:

      Thanks for the links Geekychick

  4. Jayna says:

    I love and adore Mark Ruffalo. He’s on my free pass list.

    That’s all I’ve got.

    • serena says:

      +1 I totally get you, he’s on mine too! 😀

      • Jayna says:

        Did you see a recent movie, Begin Again, with Keira Knightley? We rented it the other week. He was so scruffy and, even though a loser, so charming and adorable in that movie as a record producer down on his luck.

      • lucy2 says:

        I love that movie, Jayna!

        I think at his core, Mark seems to be a good guy. He made a bad mistake by continuing after he was told it was offensive, but I hope he’s had some time to think about it, has learned something, and is serious he won’t do it again. That’s what matters to me – the follow through. Sometimes doing or saying something wrong can really be a learning experience and inform others as well. It’s the people who apologize for something and then turn around and do it again who I lose respect for.

    • Two Degrees says:

      He has been though a lot before this fame he has now, a brain tumour I think and losing his brother in a murder in LA.. He does a lot to help minority causes, women issues and charities with those in need and the environment. Mark is a gentle soul, he clearly meant no harm.
      I totally give him a pass on this. He’s a good guy. IMO

  5. Imo says:

    Some academics and some individuals within the Romany community will capitalize the word to indicate it as an ethnic unit. But everyone else should just stop using the word altogether to avoid being offensive. If the word causes pain or distress to another it is not worth using.

    • Jules says:

      But a TV show called My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding is ok?

    • Sixer says:

      I know, Jules, I cringe. It’s our strain of crazy-person-pr0n, similar to the shows you guys have about the gun-totin’ baby people, or those racist beardy guys. Car crash TV.

    • Imo says:

      Jules
      That is definitely not okay. Use of the word should be called out unless being used by the Romany or for the purpose of ideal-based dialogue.

  6. jenny29 says:

    Are we really going to go on and on and on about all this? It is clear than among these actors they have been divided up into ‘good’ and ‘bad’. From now on everything they say or do will be carefully examined. Everything good done by the ‘bad’ group will be ignored and everything good done by the ‘good’ group will be held up as evidence of a true and noble character. But if any ‘good’ personal falters in any way they will become ‘bad’ for ever. Once in the ‘bad’ group every deed, word and facial expression will be interpreted as evidence of depravity. Get over it people, these are human beings not some hero in a romantic novella.

  7. Izzy says:

    I still think Renner is a douchey instigator, but Ruffalo was still a jerk for doing that. Glad someone called him on it, and that he had the sense to apologize.

  8. Samigirl says:

    I didn’t know it was a derogatory term either. He seems like such a good guy – we hear nothing but good things about him. I think this is a non-issue.

    • Izzy says:

      I think the bigger point is that he was explicitly TOLD that it was an ethnic slur, and then he went on to chant it, after having been told that. It was childish and offensive. Great that he apologized, but I don’t think it’s a complete non-issue.

      • Kara says:

        i agree, i dont know about the USA but if the word isnt seen as offensive in your homecountry you will make mistakes in a foreign country. like “dwarf” is seen as way more offensive in the USA then in the UK,
        but when you are specifically told its offensive and then you CHANT it there is no way to talk yourself out of it.

        saying a wrong word can be a mistake but not when you chant it, thats on purpose.

      • Jag says:

        Kara, actually, “dwarf” is the correct term, if not using “little person.” “Midget” is the offensive term.

        I completely agree that it’s ridiculous that he was told that it was a slur and then he chanted it. If Ruffalo weren’t doing other great things in the world, I would put him on the same awful list with Renner.

      • claire says:

        I wrote this up above but with as sarcastic as Graham is, he may have not taken that admonishment as a real thing.

      • Shem says:

        As a dwarf (my preferred term) I can confirm Kara is right it *is* considered offensive my many people in Northern America. I’m not in the USA and was surprised that it was mentioned as the D word (along with the ‘M word’) by multiple short-statured people I met over there.

        Short-Statured is probably the only non-loaded term . The correct terms would be the medical ones…of which there are thousands because there are thousands of forms.

        It is a case of if you are talking to and about a specific person you ask them their preference. And if you are talking in general use ‘Little person’ (I despise this but it is accepted by the vast majority and seems to be preferred in North America) or Short-statured.

    • Geekychick says:

      How is it a non-issue if he offended people who are discriminated and who are still hurt with prejudices that continue with use of this slur in many countries? The stance a great part of Europe has about Roma people is not so far off stance it had about Hebrew people in 30ies:they are dirty, unemployable, not worthy of education or civil rights-the major difference is that they are overwhelmingly poor.
      I’m really sensitive about this subject because those people are hurting, their children can’t get a valid education bc they are usually made fun of and bullied to such a point that many parents don’t even try. No one cares. Hitler wanted to erase them, and there are many European leaders who would like to see them gone even today (Viktor Orban, anyone?). And still, no one hears about them and no one writes about them, they are pushed on the margins of society-in subconscious hope everyone will just forget about them. And then, when something like this happens, people will shrug their shoulders, notice how Ruffalo is cute and good, and hey? Who cares?

      • Gretchen says:

        @Geekychick Well said!

      • geekychick says:

        Thank you. I’m really saddened by the tone of most of comments here. IDK, I can’t understand. I just can’t. Why is it NBD to offend a whole powerless, discriminated nation? (Rant over.)

      • claire says:

        Because he apologized and seems to mean it. People can put away their pitchforks. This isn’t about justice-addicts getting their fix. The guy apologized. It’s not normal to obsess over now ruining the guy because he made a mistake.

      • thaliasghost says:

        I’m with you.

        I don’t get it. You use an offensive term carrying enormous weight both in past and present. Why do you need to comment on a comment section that even though you were not aware of the term and its connotations and you seem to have very little knowledge about the issue, you don’t agree with it being offensive because you didn’t know. You are on the internet already. Inform yourself and know better.

      • Gretchen says:

        @thaliasghost Exactly. If it’s you’re first time hearing that a word is offensive, you don’t then get to play expert and decide that it ISN’T offensive.

        @Claire I don’t see how a couple of angry commenters on a celebrity blog have the power to “ruin” him. Even if those few decide to skip his movies from now on, I’m sure he’ll be just fine.

        Calling chanting racial slurs “goofing” and then saying that you didn’t know it was a slur when the host had JUST informed you doesn’t fly as a sincere apology in my book.

        You disagree, but I don’t see why it is necessary to shame people, calling them pitch-fork wielding justice-addicts for being upset that a celebrity chanted racist sh*t on national tv.

    • AlmondJoy says:

      I disagree. A derogatory term is NEVER a non-issue.

  9. InvaderTak says:

    That tweet is perfect. I trusted you too.

  10. Kiddo says:

    There, I’m closing the italics.

  11. Damn says:

    Maybe he’ll think the next time before saying stupid sh*t. Isn’t he a 9/11 truther?

    • cr says:

      (checks The Google). Oh FFS, he is.

    • **sighs** says:

      What is a 9/11 truther?

      • FingerBinger says:

        @sighs A truther is someone that believe the attacks on 9/11 were planned by the American government. They believe the towers were bombed.

      • **sighs** says:

        Gotcha, fingerbinger. Thanks.

      • ava7 says:

        Er, not exactly. Not all truthers believe it was done by the American govt. but believe that the U.S. government was to some degree complicit in allowing (insert foreign agency here) to do it.

  12. serena says:

    This press tour is really a mess, I guess they must really be out of it or showing their true self. But I refuse to believe Ruffalo is an offender and douche like Evans, RDJ and Renner. He’s always been gracious and splendid, supporting a lot of causes and just being nice to everybody.
    Also, his pretty please, ‘pretty’ much melted me (something must be wrong with me).

    Anyway, Marvel need to put only Scarjo and Aaron TJ out there.

  13. bettyrose says:

    I love Ruffalo but I’m kinda over it with the Avengers. Ultron wasn’t nearly good enough to overlook that the franchise barely has even token female characters. Why bother with merch for an underdeveloped character they assume no one cares about?

    X-Men 4Eva.

  14. Grace says:

    What the heck is wrong with Renner? Didn’t he learn anything from his last public faux pas?

    • Katie says:

      I think all these things happened on the same day. Press junket in the morning, premiere in the afternoon, show recording in the evening. I don’t think any details got out until a day or so later.

    • lucy2 says:

      I actually don’t think he cares. He seems like one of those guys who is just sort of stubborn/grumpy/jerky and ego driven, and proud of it. He only grunts out PR pleasing stuff if forced to. I think he’s done some good acting work, but from what I’ve seen of his personality, I don’t like him.

  15. Mia4S says:

    You’re not getting Black Widow merchandise Mark. She’s also not getting a movie. The Sony leak included an email from Marvel’s president Ike Perlmutter noting how Elektra, Catwoman, and Supergirl (made thirty years ago!!) all failed. In the eyes of a lot of power people we’re getting Captain Marvel under duress.

    Thank god they stopped making superhero movies with white men after the first Hulk, Batman and Robin, and Green Lantern failed! Think of all the money they would have lost!…on movies like the Dark Knight and Iron Man.

    • Linn says:

      Maybe if they would base their female superhero movies on stuff like an interesting story, witty dialogue and good character-development instead of tight leather clothes and a nice pair of boobs they wouldn’t fail so hard.

      But then people like Ike would lose all their excuses to not make female-centered movies and might actually need to do more. And they would have to admit that they were wrong about the topic all along.

      If Captain Marvel fails everybody will say that is was obvious it would, because female leads don’t sell, but if it will be a success people will call it a one-time fluke and persist on the opinion that female leads don’t sell.

  16. Insomniac says:

    I can’t comment on the rest of this because it’s just really depressing at this point, but that “Age of Me” spoof had me rolling.

  17. Tiffany says:

    The film only made 188 million domestic this weekend. It did not break the previous record as predicted. That along with reviews and moviegoers saying it was a little long and not as good as the first one, I get a feeling the people at Marvel are not thrilled with this.

    • Katie says:

      Apparently it is doing better than Avengers overseas, despite a much poorer exchange rate, so it still has a good chance at reaching $2 Billion.

    • Virgilia Coriolanus says:

      I saw it yesterday, and while I liked it, it didn’t make me as excited about it like the first Avengers movie did. James Spader was amazing though, I loved him……..especially when he kept singing the Pinocchio song, lol. I liked the romance between Bruce and Natasha; I thought the twins were meh.

      OT–Thor’s lines were the best, and everyone in the theater laughed…..I was sitting behind this woman with the most obnoxious laugh in the world. It was louder than everyone else’s AND lasted longer. It was so grating, especially since it got to the point to where I couldn’t hear dialogue because she was laughing so loud and long.

  18. Elly says:

    hmm that topic isn´t easy
    My friend once dated a Sinti. We had the discussion about the term “gypsy” one day and he said he prefers to be called gypsy over Roma. His reason: he is no Roma and he hates it when people call him a Roma, he is a proud Sinti. Not all “gypsies” are Roma like not all Native Americans are Cherokees.
    The problem with the term (apart from the prejudices) is that “gypsy” is a collecting tank for all groups/ subgroups.

    And all these TV-shows Gypsy Sisters, Gypsy Wedding and whatever do not help.

    • Geekychick says:

      Well, in Europe, Roma is collective term for all Roma people-gypsy is a slur. Yes, I know some Roma people who, among themselves call each other gypsy, but I’d never call a Roma person that term, unless that individual insisted on it. One individual does not a whole group make.

  19. Irene says:

    If he had said it once, this would work as an apology. But he watched another person get told the term was offensive, and decided to chant it over and over again in front of an audience and cameras, throughout the taping of a show. He can’t plead ignorance when someone literally JUST said “don’t use that term it’s offensive”. This ‘apology’ is no better than the one Renner gave.

    • Geekychick says:

      This!

    • Kara says:

      exactly. if he used the word and then was told its offensive, alright. but when he hears someone being told its offensive and he CHANTS it, wtf?

  20. Geekychick says:

    Considering the suffering Roma people faced and face still, in this day and age;considering they were hauled to concentration camps and never got any restitution, that they are discriminatedagainst in most of European countries, that even France massively and without consent shipped them out of the country just a few years ago (Sarkozy) although they are just as much European people if not more, I don’t think his apology is enough. I do think there is no chance I’m buying ticket for any of his movies until he really apologizes. Ignorance is not an excuse. It brings to much suffering and evil in the world for it to be an excuse in this age of internet and informations available at the flick of a finger.
    If he said derogatory term for black people, or Hebrew people, would it be ok after one tweet and claim of ignorance? I don’t think so. Why would it be ok after this, then?

    • thaliasghost says:

      Thank you.

      I can’t believe this took place, it’s absolutely maddening.

      I understand that even from the responses in these comments Americans in particular are too ignorant to speak on this topic but you know what?

      Then you inform yourself about it rather than spouting your ignorance and hatred. If they sent you on a European press tour it is your responsibility to deal with European press and instead of going off chanting a racial slur that carries a LOT of weight and still means pain and suffering for the Roma and Sinti communities from a harrowing past to a very painful present AFTER being informed about it – you ask for explanation and use that moment as a lesson learned and hopefully a teachable moment for everyone involved.

      I’m also having a very hard time with the American ignorance shining through in the comments. So WWII is not on the American curriculum?

      • InvaderTak says:

        This is completely uncalled for. I don’t expect all of Europe to be completely in tune with the problems and histories across the United States, and I don’t see why that doesn’t work vice versa. I had never even heard the terms Roma and Sinti until very recently, and I don’t believe that I’m ignorant. And when I was introduced to them, it wasn’t brought up in such a way that the term “gypsy” was mentioned, so I didn’t realize there was an association until someone else told me. It is simply not something that comes up in discussion in the US. And yes we do study WW2 history but offensive terminology wasn’t mentioned and studying history doesn’t necessarily give a picture of what the issues are today. I don’t expect Europeans to be in tune with the social issues and offensive lingo that exists in the US, and I don’t see why we shouldn’t get some leeway the same way.

        What MR and Renner did was a problem, because they were specifically told about it. But in the US, the term used here really is not offensive, and most people wouldn’t even stop to think that it could be. I don’t know what else to say. But I think getting overly offended that the general population of the US isn’t aware of the European use of the word is unfair.

      • Imo says:

        Ignorance doesn’t always equal hatred. Ruffalo got tanked and made a stupid, inexcusable mistake. He was called on it and seemed sincerely sorry. It was not a hate filled rant.
        But your comment is starting to seem like one.

      • lucy2 says:

        If you’re going to complain about ignorance, perhaps don’t then lump over 300 million people into one group like that.

      • MtnRunner says:

        People shouldn’t be held accountable for knowledge they haven’t gained. Once they are educated, they have a responsibility to use that knowledge and better themselves.

        it’s ridiculous and unfair to hold an American to the same standard as a European. Give consideration to cultural differences. We haven’t had the history with the Roma people that the Europeans have. My understanding of WW2 history was that they were unfairly discriminated against because they were different, not criminals. The word gypsy is not a slur here in the US, so stop expecting Americans to have the same sensitivities that Europeans have. use these incidents as opportunities to educate so we can all be on the same page.

      • thaliasghost says:

        “And yes we do study WW2 history but offensive terminology wasn’t mentioned.”

        There is not knowing something and not being aware of something which is fine. You learn something new every day. But simultaneously ignorance is often forfeited when upholding structures of oppression. If you don’t know something it is your duty to inform yourself and apologize. The barrage of “but I didn’t know that, so what is wrong with it” comments here speaks to a refusal to do that. Refrain from posting these comments and use the internet to inform yourself. This post is a good starting point.

        How can you study WWII history and pretend to have never heard of the Roma and Sinti or any slurs used against them specifically as an ethnic minority being persecuted and and victim of near-genocide during the Holocaust. How would you then assume that a racist slur used against a minority murdered in concentration camps has lost it’s weight?

        If you learned about WWII history you would have also studied it as a prime example in which language and specifically racial slurs were used to dehumanize others in a process that culminated in the Holocaust. Even if your teachers failed to emphasize this – you are an adult. You should not need to hide behind what you learned or did not learn in school.

        We all have a responsibility to be aware of what is going on around us. Buying yourself “leeway” to discriminate against others isn’t a discussion people should have. You were not aware of something? Inform yourself, inform others, try to raise awareness and take responsibility. I sure as hell hope somebody will hold me accountable if I used offensive language that I somehow thought was ok using whether I’m in another place or at home. If you have enough time to comment on a celebrity forum, you should have enough time to inform yourself about social issues around the world.

      • geekychick says:

        @InvaderTak
        And still, we get education about American history, and although my country has never had one black slave, one slave at all (!!!!!), I’d never dream of using derogatory term in describing black people. or blackface, or say…..call a member of First Nation/Independent Nation -Indian. Nor would the people I know. And if I did something ignorant, I’d educate myself and properly apologize, not just “promise to not say it again. Pretty please”.
        If you go somewhere, educate yourself about the place you’re visiting. It’s as simple as that.
        The whole world wants to learn about the whole world, the whole world is curious and most people I know WANT to learn about other countries and other continents, especially if they’re visiting. So, no, I don’t get it. If you’re visiting somewhere, don’t you want to be respectful of the people? You know that saying, when in Rome…..? It still stands. And honestly, this kind of attitude contributes to the old conviction about clueless Americans who see only themselves and their culture as important. Why perpetuate it? (And I know I’ll get flamed for this. No, I don’t believe all Americans or even most, are like this. Actually, per my friend tourist guide, when they realize they don’t know something, they ask and want to learn.)
        I had a whole year in my high-school geography dedicated to countries of Africa, North and South America, Asia and about Australia and NZ. How much do you learn about other countries in your typical high-school?

      • thaliasghost says:

        “My understanding of WW2 history was that they were unfairly discriminated against because they were different, not criminals.”

        This is a highly problematic sentence in more cases than just one. Unfairly discriminated surely is not the term to be used for these circumstances as well is the concept of “criminal” which also includes the people tortured and murdered within this very concept by the Nazis.

        A simple starting point would be this

        http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antiziganism

      • Kitten says:

        Geeky Chick-I’m not trying to be rude but you seem to have a lot of preconceived and incredibly unfair notions about Americans. You show it time and time again in your comments, my favorite being the one you made about American colleges being full of hooligans, unlike your country where all college students stay inside, studying all day. Mind you, your opinion was formed on one visit one time to one American college.

        Sadly, most of the important points that you make are obfuscated by your narrow-minded view of a country that holds 316 million people of all different ethnicities, cultures, races, classes, and walks of life.

        And um, yes we spend years learning about other countries in American schools, it’s called Social Studies, geography, history, poli-sci, civics, humanities, anthropology. Most high schools have some or all of these as required courses.

        While I 100% agree with you that people have an obligation to be knowledgeable, respectful and considerate towards different cultures when travelling, Ruffalo admitted that he didn’t know and that it was wrong of him, and he apologized and said he would never say it again. How and when do you allow people to learn from their mistakes? Sometimes being publicly reamed is a more effective teaching tool than reading the guide books, but at what point do you move on?
        It’s also important that you realize that one American on television does not represent an entire country. Not every person in the USA is ignorant.

      • InvaderTak says:

        Ok, you’re twisting what I said and I’m not going to go into detail to try to explain my education. I never said what happened was ok or completely excusable. And i am not interested in perpetuating the ignorant American stereotype but at the same time, sensible people of other cultures will acknowledge that cultural differences and some ignorance will cause some issues that can easily be handled with polite correction. You can’t “educate yourself” about an entire culture on a plane ride and mistakes are bound to happen. The vast majority don’t mean any harm. Calling people’s intelligence and education into question is uncalled for.

      • Sixer says:

        Geeky Chick, if you could try to educate people (er, well, in this case, Americans) with a bit of openheartedness and generority instead of aggressive lecturing, you’d be more likely to get people onside and to alter their understanding and word choices going forwards. Which would be a good thing, right?

        American friends – I do think you guys can get over-defensive. I’ve seen posts on here when European celebs have made a mis-step over blackface, or terminology, or something similar, and the overall tone of the responses is to give no quarter, no excuse for ignorance of cultural mores, just as Geeky Chick is doing here. What is sauce for the goose is also sauce for the gander. KWIM?

        I think we should shake hands, agree that we all abhor racism in all its forms, all want to be educated on aspects of it that we don’t know about or fully understand, then sing a nice hippy song about love and peace together.

      • cr says:

        @geekychick: “And still, we get education about American history, and although my country has never had one black slave, one slave at all (!!!!!),”
        Going off topic here, your country may not have had black slaves but the odds of not having, or had, any slaves at all is slim to none.
        I’ll also note that there is for me something of a deja vu in the comments regarding not knowing the implications of the word gyspy and educating oneself on that and the history of the Roma. Not dissimilar in the comments on posts on celebs and black face and Native headdresses: “I’m not an American, I didn’t know that history”.

      • jammypants says:

        @thaliasghost

        way to jump to HUGE conclusions.

        “There is not knowing something and not being aware of something which is fine. You learn something new every day. But simultaneously ignorance is often forfeited when upholding structures of oppression. If you don’t know something it is your duty to inform yourself and apologize.”

        You just contradicted yourself. He wasn’t informed before, he most definitely is informed now. AND he apologized. Since I was ignorant myself, you just lumped me and pretty much almost the entire US population into your generalizations. Why don’t YOU get informed and realized not all countries are aware of every single facet of other countries? Unless you know the ins and outs of American prejudices, you can see yourself out the door called judgment.

        @geekychic:

        “I had a whole year in my high-school geography dedicated to countries of Africa, North and South America, Asia and about Australia and NZ. How much do you learn about other countries in your typical high-school?”

        Bless you dear, you must be from a better school or a better generation, but not every school in America are up to the same standards. Let alone high school.

      • Kitten says:

        Yeah I admit that I do get defensive, but sometimes it feels like the United States is everyone’s favorite punching bag. The generalizations and outright stereotypes seem to be really fashionable for some reason and it just grates on me.
        Sorry, Sixer.

      • Sixer says:

        Don’t be sorry, Kitten! I’m just saying that haranguing people (Americans or any other nationality/group) doesn’t move us forward. But getting butthurt at being harangued doesn’t move us forward either, you know?

        And I say this as a Brit who has to go off and bang my head against the wall, spit several kilos of tacks, and ask Mr Sixer to forcibly remove my spud gun from me at some of the utter GUFF Americans post on here about British people because the UK is a constitutional monarchy. I hope I keep my comments educational/productive and not personal, though.

        Plus, I do like a bit of love and harmony. 😉

      • MtnRunner says:

        No one can help where they were born or what kind of an education they were given and yet, they’re expected to understand the cultural sensitivities of every other nation and if they make an ignorant mistake, get taken to task for it. Gently explaining the other perspective is so much more effective then talking down to the ignorant person and exclaiming shock that they didn’t know the things you did.

        Perhaps if I chose to spend my time reading books about other cultures instead of playing in the mountains I would have been more aware of this particular slur before last week. Sheesh.

        I’m done with this post. The mountains are calling and I must go.

      • geekychick says:

        @ Kitten
        I quote my previous comment: (And I know I’ll get flamed for this. No, I don’t believe all Americans or even most, are like this. Actually, per my friend tourist guide, when they realize they don’t know something, they ask and want to learn.)
        So, your accusation of me judging every American by the same standard is just not true. Not every criticism is mean or evil, it can be constructive. There is a serious throwback to fundie religion, which is trying to control woman’s reproductive choices (OTC morning after pill) in my country right now-which is result of ignorance, crisis and degradation of society after the war- and I have to say it, not deny it, because if I don’t, I have no right to judge others or to think of myself as fair. That’s what constructive criticism is about. And I’m not judging whole country or it’s people: I’m commenting on what I read here, and what I read is that majority don’t think this kind of slur is a big deal, and that they do think that everything can be excused by ignorance, in this day and age, which I find counterproductive for harmony and respect between all nations and all people.
        All I tried to do is for people to think about other people and their feelings. About discrimination. About respecting others.
        The fact is, I also had politics and economy, geography, history, philosophy, language, two foreign languages, mathemathics, physics, biology, chemistry, 2 years of latin and other throughout high-school. I’m from Europe, and we learned about American history-not just Pearl Harbour, not just two sentences about Civil war. And surprise, surprise, when I don’t know about something. I go and at least google it and read a few sources, I don’t just say: “Ha, I didn’t know, oopsie-daisies.”
        You attacked me just like that, about things I didn’t write. That is not a healthy or fair discussion.
        I’m bowing out of commenting on here, and you won’t be offended by me anymore. It’s easy to attack an unpopular opinion. Enjoy!
        I agree on a number of your views and I usually like your comments; when we disagree, I perceive it as a discussion and I enjoy in it. Honestly, I find it ironic how defensive you are about your opinion of my stance against Americans, but many people don’t think that using a racial slur is NBD.

      • geekychick says:

        @cir:”Going off topic here, your country may not have had black slaves but the odds of not having, or had, any slaves at all is slim to none.”
        You got me thinking, so I researched, so I could be sure.
        Most of my country was part of Austro-Hungarian monarchy; the only truly rich landowners we had were Austrian and Hungarian nobility, and they had us as peasents: there was no need for slaves. No market and no demand. And statistics shows that after 16th century, majority of peasants didn’t live in starvation. The only part of my country that had a part in slave-trade, which was an independent state (under Osman protectorate)until 19th century, forbade it in 1416. You could say that then there was slavery in our past, but that would be like me saying that everything that happened in Alaska before it was bought by US was also responsibility of the US.
        http://www.huffingtonpost.com/regina-fraser-and-pat-johnson/freedom-from-slavery-croatia_b_4905880.html

      • Kitten says:

        @Geekychick-I guess I didn’t find the self-righteous tone of your comments to fall under “constructive criticism”. That being said, it wasn’t my intention to attack and I shouldn’t have gotten personal and I apologize for that.

        Half my family is from France and I have dual citizenship so I am well-aware of the standards involved in the traditional French education, as family often discusses it with me. I just caution you to make sweeping generalizations about Americans and to remember that within our huge country exists many varied viewpoints, that’s all. I get defensive when I feel people are being unfair and I felt that by insinuating that Americans are uneducated and uncultured, you were being extraordinarily shortsighted.

        “and what I read is that majority don’t think this kind of slur is a big deal, and that they do think that everything can be excused by ignorance, in this day and age”

        I’m not reading people saying that “it’s not a big deal” here at all. I’m reading a lot of comments from people saying that it’s never ok to use a slur. But considering how many people from other countries comment here, how can you just assume that it’s only Americans that are defending it?

        I apologize if I got too fussy and I do truly appreciate how passionate you are about this topic, I just wish you could refrain from the assumptions.

    • Virgilia Coriolanus says:

      I didn’t really know the Roma people were still being discriminated against, until my mom started telling me stories about her days in the Navy. She was in Italy (I think???), working as a guard on base–basically she checked people’s IDs, etc…….and a Roma man came up to her in her booth, and they started talking. And a police office came up to her and asked her if he was bothering her……and they were just talking. This was back in the nineties, but it seems like things haven’t changed.

      I didn’t really know that gypsy was a slur, and I didn’t even know to use the word “Roma” until I actually did research myself (from obsessively googling “Hunchback of Notre Dame”)……. In school, it all depends on the teacher, as to how much we learn about stuff like WWII, slavery. My school was pretty….relaxed, is the word I want to use, because they didn’t really go into detail about slavery, or the Roma in WWII (referred to simply as gypsies),etc…..nothing that would make you uncomfortable (unless you happened to be the only black person in the room *raises hand*)… But about three years ago, the local HS hired a (white) history teacher who’s from Detroit/half his family is black, and he does his best to show what happened—in gruesome, photographic detail. Which I like.

    • jammypants says:

      “I do think there is no chance I’m buying ticket for any of his movies until he really apologizes.”

      He already apologized and said he won’t do it again, “Seriously.” Twitter has exactly 140 characters. What more do you want? a 6 page analysis of discrimination and full explanation of what went on in his head as he chanted something he was told not to do? Move on.

      And I beg to differ. Ignorance in this instance is an excuse. He seems a nice enough guy to get informed IF he is uninformed (unlike Renner). The only thing I won’t defend him for was chanting the slur after he was told it was offensive. That’s all on him.

      • geekychick says:

        Maybe apologise on a more serious platform? With an official apology?

  21. Kerry says:

    “Just goofing.” What really bothers me is he kept going even after he was told it was a slur. Someone JUST told you that something g was wrong and you decided that the best course of action was to chant it????

    That irritates me…

    • Jayna says:

      Because he was probably drinking before or during the show. On those shows, often the guests have a nice buzz on.

    • CRM says:

      I think another thing that isn’t considered is the “group mind” mindset that I’ve observed in the cast of the Avengers as the do their media tour. They are much sillier, and tend to answer questions in much less serious ways when they are either all together, or in a group with other cast members. It seems to be partly camaraderie – just the joy of not having to do the dreaded press tour alone- but instead in the company of friends- and also not being totally “on the spot” while being questioned, and being able to throw questions to one of the others in the group… it seems to lend a feeling of lack of personal responsibility… turning it more into “group responsibility for their behavior. I wouldn’t put it past them to be daring each other to do odd things during interviews just to see what would happen… (Not *this*, as this I think was more of a “we’re boys together, lets be silly.” moment)

  22. whatwhatnot says:

    I wasn’t aware that the term was offensive. And I live and grew up in an extremely diverse area and that one has never dropped on my offensive radar. You learn something new every day, I guess.

    • thaliasghost says:

      Now is your chance to inform yourself on the issue, don’t you think! 🙂

      I’m also guessing that you are a) not living in Europe and thus b) don’t live anywhere with Roma and Sinti communities or the pervasive racism they face and haven’t really informed yourself about WWII?

    • Kara says:

      as long as after you learned its offensive you dont start chanting it…

  23. Catelina says:

    He apologized and he’s such a nice guy in general (I have met him a couple times) that this doesn’t seem like the biggest deal in the scheme of things. Everyone makes mistakes and says dumb things sometimes. It doesn’t mean we need to hate them forever.

    • meme says:

      Who among us hasn’t put their foot in their mouth, said stupid things they wish they could take back or just acted like a jerk at one point or another. The dissection of everything that comes out celebs mouths is completely out of hand. Mountains out of mole hills IMHO.

      • jammypants says:

        exactly, we have the luxury of being obscure everyday people. What they say is in stone forever until the end of days.

  24. Kara says:

    to me the tweet makes it worse. its not goofing. what he doesnt understand is that its not goofy for people adressed with that term. the N word does have a different history but its an example that could make someone like Ruffalo understand what he did. someone says the n word, gets told its a slur and then you start chanting it. whats goofy about it? you thought it was funny shouting a slur.
    if you compare it to Cumberbatch who used an offensive word its worse because Cumberbatch simply wasnt thinking, Ruffalo did it on purpose. Cumberbatch was ignorant, Ruffalo thought it was funny using the term.

    i also dont buy his sudden concern for merchandise. its not like it suddenly came aware, only that it came to light what kind of people the Offenders are. without Renner and the other bro showing their thoughst about women, he wouldnt have tweeted it. Ruffalo likes to portray himself as this super liberal but he showed his colors with this.

  25. Lucy says:

    Apology accepted. I believe him.

  26. Abby_J says:

    My husband got me an awesome Black Widow shirt from Superhero Stuff. I can’t find a Scarlet Witch shirt anywhere, though. My wee girl would love one of those.

    Hopefully Marvel will get their act together and give the girls a little love soon.

  27. Sarah says:

    Rainbow Rowell tweeted an amazing response to Ruffalo’s Black Widow merchandise tweet. https://twitter.com/rainbowrowell/status/593528990326886400

    • lucy2 says:

      I commented similarly on another site – it’s awesome he wants the toys available for girls and I like that he’s standing up to say so, but boys should want them to. They should be available because BW is a character in the films just like all the others, and any fan who wants one should be able to buy them.

  28. Solanaceae (Nighty) says:

    I’m sorry for the stupid question, but why is gypsy a derogatory name, in my country, Romani people are the first ones to call themselves gypsy… They always say things like “We, the gypsy…” ” We, the gypsy people..”
    So… Care anyone to explain me that?

  29. Annaliese says:

    jag said “actually, “dwarf” is the correct term, if not using “little person.” “Midget” is the offensive term.” I think this is part of the problem–language changes over time, and not at the same rate in all places. In US history, if you look at the terms “black” or “colored” you’ll find that at some point each was considered acceptable, then picked up negative associations and was progressively replaced. Not everyone progressed at the same rate. Now we’ve got the term “African-American,” which leads to people (mostly Americans) trying to get their heads around what to call British citizens who happen to not be Caucasian.

    The first thing I think of when I hear the term “Gypsy” is Gypsy Vanner horses (I have horses, I’m a horse person, that’s where the brain goes). I’m well aware of Holocaust history, but have never heard the term “Sinti” before. Before this kerfuffle, I wasn’t aware that the term “Gypsy” had become offensive (and apparently is not universally regarded as such, even by Romani).

    I see a lot of people (and not just here) exercising their own sense of superiority by informing other people of their lack of ethnic sensitivity in using outdated language. I think it’s worth asking about intent before getting out the knouts.

    (Oh, and I really hope the person who was talking about not having even one slave in their country wasn’t British. Because some of my Irish relatives sold to the West Indies might disagree with that.)

  30. lisa2 says:

    I haven’t read all the comments. I think the tweet clears it up… he used the term.. was told it was a slur and he continued to use it again.

    If you don’t know at first then OK.. but if you know and learn but continue then it becomes something else.

  31. Amy says:

    The way I see it, it’s like the way Brits use the homophobic slur which rhymes with hag. In England it is slang for cigarette. In the US it’s a HUGE no-no. However Brits still continue to use that word despite the offensive connotation it had in the US.

    The US does not have the history of Romani culture that Europe does. There isn’t much of a Romani population here and not as much sensitivity. This is why the word gypsy here usually refers to a nomadic bohemian type of person and is not intended as a derogatory slur as it may be in Europe.