All credit to Jerry Seinfeld for calling out racism but his N-word intervention was hardly heroic
The IndependentGet Nadine White's Race Report newsletter for a fresh perspective on the week's news Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy An old clip of Chris Rock, Louis CK, Ricky Gervais and Jerry Seinfeld on a 2011 HBO special of Talking Funny has recently resurfaced on social media. Louis CK guffaws and replies “You’re saying I’m a n*****.” Chris Rock agrees, only for Jerry Seinfeld to interject, “I wouldn’t use it anywhere.” Seinfeld looks increasingly uncomfortable throughout the exchange. Of course, it’s completely understandable that people will feel betrayed and concerned about the effects of a hugely prominent black comedian like Rock apparently giving white comedians a licence to use the N-word. But, when discussing the apparently inverted approach of the two comedians, it’s important to realise that non-black people like Seinfeld have a much easier experience when it comes to calling out racism.
History of this topic
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