Liberal political comedian Bill Maher is facing backlash for using the N-word on his HBO show “Real Time” on Friday.
He was in the middle of a sit-down interview with Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., when he said it.
“I’ve gotta get to Nebraska more,” said Maher.
“You’re welcome. We’d love to have you work in the fields with us,” Sasse joked.
“Work in the fields? Senator, I’m a house nigga,” Maher replied. Sasse, seemed to chuckle and smile uncomfortably as some people in the audience laughed and others groaned.
But really, @BillMaher has got to go. There are no explanations that make this acceptable. pic.twitter.com/K5XlEjekQ9— deray mckesson (@deray) June 3, 2017
Maher then offered a little reassurance to the audience: “It’s a joke.”
Still, Maher’s “joke” sparked criticism that spread on social media platforms like Twitter. “Neither history nor comedy gives you the right to use a vile slur as violent 1 liner,” tweeted NAACP president and CEO Cornell Brooks.
Some people even called for Maher’s ouster, including Deray McKesson, a civil rights activist and member of Black Lives Matter.
But really, @BillMaher has got to go. There are no explanations that make this acceptable. pic.twitter.com/K5XlEjekQ9
— deray (@deray) June 3, 2017
Maher has pushed the envelope in the past with his risque humor. Last month he made an incest joke about President Trump and his daughter Ivanka.
Sasse took to Twitter early Saturday to share what he wished he would have said at the moment N-word was uttered.
Am walking off a redeye from LAX.
3 reflections on @billmaher
1. I’m a 1st Amendment absolutist. Comedians get latitude to cross hard lines.— Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) June 3, 2017
2. But free speech comes with a responsibility to speak up when folks use that word. Me just cringing last night wasn’t good enough.
(2of4?) https://t.co/e4Bw8s8tV2— Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) June 3, 2017
3. Here’s what I wish I’d been quick enough to say in the moment: “Hold up, why would you think it’s OK to use that word?…
(3of4?) https://t.co/mQL6wMEd7W— Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) June 3, 2017
(4of4)
“…The history of the n-word is an attack on universal human dignity. It’s therefore an attack on the American Creed. Don’t use it.” https://t.co/kEZm5vPFHK— Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) June 3, 2017
