Today, an argument broke out on Twitter between Anthony Burch, lead writer on Borderlands 2, and a few players who think that Tiny Tina is a racist character.
The issue, as some folks saw it, was that Tiny Tina appropriated African American lingo. See above video, which showcases Tiny Tina dialogue, if you want reference.
The argument on Twitter, which ends with Burch saying he'll consider changing her, is as follows—note that this is a mix of developers, game journalists, and random fans:
@mikesacco Well, it's not going to.
— Anthony Burch (@reverendanthony) February 3, 2013
@mikesacco @reverendanthony Hey big fan of BL2's writing here also, loved Handsome Jack, TT was a profound misstep & made me uncomfy thanks
— Malcolm Christiansen (@DrShenanigans) February 3, 2013
@mikesacco @reverendanthony btw not sure if that was a trenchant defense or a haggard "well it's like that now so get used to it"
— Malcolm Christiansen (@DrShenanigans) February 3, 2013
@drshenanigans @mikesacco That's my acknowledging your criticism and dismissing it. Tina's divisive — I'm okay with some people hating her.
— Anthony Burch (@reverendanthony) February 3, 2013
@drshenanigans @mikesacco I do appreciate the feedback, but yeah — a lot of people love her, some find her irritating as hell. That's okay.
— Anthony Burch (@reverendanthony) February 3, 2013
@reverendanthony @drshenanigans I think you're misunderstanding. It's not about finding her irritating.
— Mike Sacco (@mikesacco) February 3, 2013
@reverendanthony @drshenanigans She's a "divisive" character because the character is actively racist.
— Mike Sacco (@mikesacco) February 3, 2013
@reverendanthony @drshenanigans Or, rather, your writing of the character is. Tina isn't.
— Mike Sacco (@mikesacco) February 3, 2013
@mikesacco @drshenanigans You find it inherently racist that she uses black lingo? Why?
— Anthony Burch (@reverendanthony) February 3, 2013
@mikesacco @drshenanigans Have you never met white people who use that kind of language? Tina is based on several I know personally.
— Anthony Burch (@reverendanthony) February 3, 2013
@reverendanthony @mikesacco I think I might have some bad news about those people you know then
— Malcolm Christiansen (@DrShenanigans) February 3, 2013
@reverendanthony @mikesacco @drshenanigans Its exaggerated stereotypical low class "black" lingo that with Tina amounts to verbal blackface.
— Andrew T (@Lithobolos) February 3, 2013
@lithobolos @reverendanthony @drshenanigans precisely. the slang is not only outdated and exaggerated, it's all there is. "badonkadonk"???
— Mike Sacco (@mikesacco) February 3, 2013
@mikesacco @lithobolos @drshenanigans I don't see how that's "all there is," nor how "badonkadonk" is like blackface.
— Anthony Burch (@reverendanthony) February 3, 2013
@mikesacco @lithobolos @drshenanigans Or is it only racist when Tina is white? Or because you think people don't actually say "badonkadonk?"
— Anthony Burch (@reverendanthony) February 3, 2013
@mikesacco @lithobolos @drshenanigans Isn't it also a little weird to imply that only black people can say "crunk"?
— Anthony Burch (@reverendanthony) February 3, 2013
@dennisscimeca @reverendanthony Context actually doesn't matter. The character of Tiny Tina is "white girl uses craaaazy black lingo".
— Mike Sacco (@mikesacco) February 3, 2013
Currently debating whether or not Tiny Tina is racist with some people. This is the first I've heard of it, so tell me — is she?
— Anthony Burch (@reverendanthony) February 3, 2013
The last thing I want to be is exclusionary or prejudiced, so if Tina truly is problematic I'll change her.
— Anthony Burch (@reverendanthony) February 3, 2013
I'm just not convinced that a character using lingo like badonkadonk/crunk is inherently racist. If I'm wrong I would like to know why.
— Anthony Burch (@reverendanthony) February 3, 2013
@alexziebart Hrm — that's an interesting point. I meant to make her a mishmash of stuff (ebonics/fairytale/naivete) but I see what you mean
— Anthony Burch (@reverendanthony) February 3, 2013
@reverendanthony I mean this in a lighthearted way but you found another way to make me sweat bullets, what with the VO session coming up :)
— Matt Charles (@djsatis) February 3, 2013
Whether or not a change in Tina's character will actually occur is not clear, though I suspect many fans would be upset if she was altered: she is frequently cited as a favorite character.
UPDATE: Some are even defending Tina, as not all players believe she is racist:
@reverendanthony tina is not racist because you are not racist. You're a pillar of tolerance and inclusion.
— Randy Pitchford (@DuvalMagic) February 3, 2013
@reverendanthony DO NOT CHANGE TINY TINA. I never found it racist, I thought she was insane, but not racist. Keep her insane.
— Tyler Peltonovich (@vortexelemental) February 3, 2013
@reverendanthony Please don't change your character because people find it "offensive" too many people get their way with stuff cry=theirway
— Dasukku (@Dasukku) February 3, 2013
@reverendanthony I will be deeply offended if you change Tiny Tina.
— RvLeshrac (@RvLeshrac) February 3, 2013
@reverendanthony she isn't racist. in fact, she's one of my favorite characters in the game.
— robert rodriguez (@mcdoobie) February 3, 2013
@reverendanthony I think she is just fine the way she is.
— Margaret! (@Ztram_Gem) February 3, 2013
Though this is but a small sampling of the response Burch is getting, which you can view here.
I reached out to Burch and have yet to hear back.