Local Reaction To President Obama's Use Of "N-Word"
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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) – President Barack Obama's decision to utter what many consider the worst word in the English language has many offering a few words of their own.
The President used the "N-word" Monday while discussing racism during an interview with comedian Marc Maron for his popular podcast.
"Racism, we are not cured of it," Mr. Obama said. "And it's not just a matter of it not being polite to say nigger in public. That's not the measure of whether racism still exists or not. It's not just a matter of overt discrimination. Societies don't, overnight, completely erase everything that happened 200 to 300 years prior."
The President's direct use of the word received criticism in some circles, but praise in others.
"When you use the word and it has a negative connotation, I don't believe in it, but I think the President used it for effect, to say this is something we shouldn't do. Even the President shouldn't do it, but he used it for effect," said Dallas resident James Days.
But another man CBS 11 spoke with disagreed with Obama's use of the controversial word.
"Maybe there's a place for shock value from time to time, but I think he probably overstepped his bounds," said David Morrison from Plano.
Another woman from Dallas echoed Morrison's sentiment.
"I don't think anyone should use the word, more so the President. I hold him to a higher standard, so I would expect he have a filter and not use the
N-word," said Cora Martin.
How do you feel about Obama's use of the "N-word"?
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