Killer Mike Defends Bill Maher use of N-word, others want Real Time canceled
Comedian Bill Maher has been attacked for using the N-word on the air during a live broadcast of his long-running HBO show, “Real Time With Bill Maher,” Friday night. While the critics were swift to react, some calling on HBO to cancel the show, some are actually defending Maher.
“Please @HBO Do Not Air Another Episode Of Real Time With Bill Maher.” — –@chancetherapper
photo/ donkeyhotey
Maher was interviewing Ben Sasse, a Republican Senator from Nebraska, when Sasse invited Maher to Nebraska, saying, “we’d love to have you work in the fields with us.”
“Work in the fields?” replied Maher. “Senator, I’m a house n—. No, it’s a joke.”
After HBO denounced Maher’s use of the insult on Saturday, calling it “completely inexcusable and tasteless,” Maher issued an apology, saying, “Friday nights are always my worst night of sleep because I’m up reflecting on the things I should or shouldn’t have said on my live show. Last night was a particularly long night as I regret the word I used in the banter of a live moment. The word was offensive and I regret saying it and am very sorry.”
Later Saturday, rapper Killer Mike, who has appeared on Maher’s show several times, took to Twitter to defend Maher after being pressed by fans on Twitter to comment on the situation, writing: “black have BIGGER things than N— to concern our selves with: Black Banks, Gentrification, Economics & Trade Education. Love, My Nigga.”
Killer Mike, who makes up one half of duo Run the the Jewels along with rapper El-P, who is white, has been outspoken on politics, supporting Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders during the 2016 election.
On Saturday, as several of his followers engaged him directly about Maher on social media, Killer Mike replied thusly:
[…] However, she points a finger at whites who fail to acknowledge “the fact that, yes, you have racist beliefs and attitudes, and these might even sometimes be manifested into racist words or actions” before bringing up Bill Maher’s recent use of the N-word during a “Real Time” episode on HBO. […]