Comedian Bill Maher is getting sharp criticism after referring to himself as a “house n*****” in an interview with Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse on his interview show Real Time.
The exchange began innocently enough — a discussion of Halloween, and the habit of Californians to continue dressing up into adulthood.
“We don’t do that in Nebraska,” Sasse said.
Maher said, “I’ve got to get to Nebraska more.”
Mr. Sasse replied, “You’re welcome. We’d love to have you work in the fields with us.”
Maher said, “Work in the fields? Senator, I’m a house nigger. No, it’s a joke.” Some audience members groaned; others laughed. Sasse just smiled uncomfortably.
The reaction on social media was swift.
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
Bill Maher is a white habitual line-stepper, and his show needs to be canceled after this latest stunt https://t.co/Dd4iozEVnF pic.twitter.com/B0BPr4Diar
— The Root (@TheRoot) June 3, 2017
Sasse also came in for criticism for his failure to call Maher out, which he later acknowledged.
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
HBO referred media questions to Maher’s publicists, who did not respond to inquiries from CNN.
