The creator of one of the most critically acclaimed drama series in television history is coming under fire for his poor choice of words.
The Wire creator David Simon insists he was speaking sarcastically when he used the N-word on Twitter Monday night while commenting on the upcoming Donald Trump townhall meeting and its host, political commentator Sean Hannity.
Hannity my nigga! If they couldn't get Ta-Nehisi or Deray to host, then who but you on the pulse of black America? https://t.co/9hW7wpH4Ar
— David Simon (@AoDespair) September 20, 2016
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Despite his attempts to explain, social media immediately let Simon know that his use of the word was offensive and inappropriate in any context.
To the hall monitors: Use of N-word (with an A) DIRECTLY mocks the misuse of a white Fox interlocutor to address black issues. I'll play it.
— David Simon (@AoDespair) September 20, 2016
Hannity my nigga! If they couldn't get Ta-Nehisi or Deray to host, then who but you on the pulse of black America? https://t.co/9hW7wpH4Ar
— David Simon (@AoDespair) September 20, 2016
@AoDespair David, you're an intelligent white man. You know how this looks. It's not okay.
— BrownBecky ☔️ (@bettyb00p00) September 20, 2016
I get the sarcasm. There's better ways to do it.
While Simon’s attempt to highlight the obvious irony in Hannity moderating a discussion with Trump was recognized by a few, many would also hope that he’d know better than to use any racially offensive term period, given his in depth knowledge and years of support from the African-American community.