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“Roger Ebert Crosses The Line W/The ‘N’ Word”

The ReadyWriter

After news broke Tuesday that publisher NewSouth will release a new edition of ‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’ with all 219 N-words excluded, movie critic Roger Ebert reacted with a controversial tweet.

Ebert responded to the ‘Huck Finn’ announcement on Wednesday by tweeting to his followers, “I’d rather be called a Nigger than a Slave.”

The tweet set off a storm of heated feedback toward the influential critic, some saying he was “disrespectful” and “ignorant.”

Others believe Ebert thinks he’s allowed to take such liberties with the “N” word because his wife, is black.

After the fall-out from his comment, Ebert retracted his statement by conceding  “he would never be called either word so he should have just shut the fuck up”.

I wanna hear from y’all, was Roger Ebert out-of-place?

Oh and… thanks to loyal reader “HeavyC” for the story tip…

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Published by The ReadyWriter

Writer, Published Author, CEO of ReadyWriter Production Company and YouTube podcast Radio Host.

126 thoughts on ““Roger Ebert Crosses The Line W/The ‘N’ Word””

  1. First of all, diss monfuckker look so fucked up i hate to even comment about em. maybe he think he down cause he got black chocolate in his bed idk. either way he can’t speak on it.

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    1. I’m LMMFAO @you Ace….. cause this motherfucker look like something out of tales from the cript.

      Who is HeavyC? He got Trace “settin it off” kinda early up n here..

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    25. Good morning all…How’s everyone on this fine Friday morning….

      From reading these comments I see Tracy via HeavyC don pissed some of yall off!!!!! LOL!!!!

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    26. Hope everyboody’s ok….if you’re in the tri-state area (NY-NJ) be careful it’s SERIOUS SNOW coming down out there.

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      2. I’M ALWAYS HERE ASHANTI….BUT I STAY IN LURK MODE LMAO @YALL……YOU KNOW HOW IT IS? YOU HAVE FAMILY THAT YOU DON’T SEE ALL THE TIME…. 🙂

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    31. Hey yall!!!!

      *WAVES*

      *HUGS AND KISSES*

      I’m gonna read thru the comments but something tells me this post got yall “RYLED UP”

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  3. Tra: the “N” word was buried a couple of years ago when they asked a bunch of comedians “why they use it and do they feel it belongs to the black race?” But it’s so common amongst “OUR PEOPLE” till it makes me wonder.

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  5. We ‘OWN’ the word….but let’s face it. other races use it to degrade us and put us down.

    Today, “your nicca” or “dat nicca” is a way of speaking amongst most brothas. Some of ya’ll use the ‘n’ word here.

    But in Ebert’s case, i think he was merely giving his opinion.

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    1. Vaughn,
      Poor taste and ‘stupidity’ is poor taste and stupidity and it doesn’t matter who or where it comes from. the word is ignorant and shouldn’t be used period.!!!!

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    2. Niccas call each other niccas like Vaughn said. And if WE don’t want these “CRACKERS and HONKEYS” using the ‘N’ word then we shouldn’t be USEING it either.

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    3. FUCK THAT!!!!!! I use the word around my homeys and we understand each other…anybosy else outside of that gettin dat azz checked!

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  6. To “rewrite” a book by Mark Twain is str8 scandalous! It’s our history and that was the way it was, not the way it is today.
    Who are theses uneducated idiots that are trying to rewrite history?
    And, who ever heard of updating a historical work? Those people need to go back to school. FOOLS~!

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    1. The “N” word 219 times! Yet WE (non-“N” word people) are not down with it black or otherwise.

      Who is this HEAVYC anyway Tracy….

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      1. why does it matter @OJ, he gave her the story but it was UP TO HER TO PUBLISH/POST IT!

        Anyway, ain’t nothing like a heated argument so early in the morn. OOH!!!

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  7. Black people now glorify every stereotype that we have been called over the years yet we get mad at non-blacks when they feed into it. Eber fed into it got a reaction now no big deal.

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    1. ALL black people don’t call each other the n word. and all black people don’t feed into the sterotypes. so acquitta please don’t be full of shit w/your opinion.

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    2. This is a loaded post.

      Especially since people are very sensitive when it comes down to the “n” word!!!!

      We can say it!!! They Can’t!!!!

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  9. Oh WOW!!!!!
    I guess next we will allow them–to start rewriting the Bible. I believe that is the same as making Mark Twains works a piece of shit!
    Oh wait but….the Bible has been rewritten and updated by many.
    However, you cannot erase something from one’s mind that’s been stored there esp. since I read the original.
    We might as well start changing the use of Gay and other words. Who decided that this was necessary??? Who is willing to step up and take credit for altering History. Discraceful and non productive.
    Ebert’s comment ain’t shit compared to all that.

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  10. The word was common during slavery and Mark Twain
    wrote stories and essays he knew would offend our people…so IMO this is a double edged sword. but no he shouldn’t of made the comment that he did.

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    1. YES YVONNE, AND ‘THE NICCA’ IS STILL COMMON 2DAY AMONGST THE BROTHAS…BUT I TAKE ISSUE WITH THIS FUCKED UP FACE MUTERFUCKER USING IT SO FREELY. AND WHO CARES IF HIS BITCH IS BLACK!!!!

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    3. @Angelhair, it’s just like, i can talk about my brother to you but you can’t talk about my brother to me. there’s a certain RESPECT that’s do becuz we suffered as a people in slavery therefore the ‘n’ word is a very sensitive topic to US as a people. and this is something you may neva understand.

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    4. You people are pathetic!!! Look how many times Alex Haley USED the ‘N’ word in ROOTS….Were you all offended then????

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    5. @Angel-hair,
      Its ok for Alex Haley to use the N-word.

      WHY? Because he is black and the word has more sensitivity to his writing!

      Just like, it would be ok if a white person refer to a Jew in a negative terms but not OK if Al Sharpton or Jessie Jackson did!

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    6. At the time that Huck Finn was written the ‘N’ word was used.
      If we change history we will not understand just how we as a civilization have changed or evolved.
      It is important NOT to change history but to learn from it.

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    7. ‘FUCK THAT’ @UncleEd!!!!
      I can think of 219 names for a CRACKER!

      And if Mark Twitt or Twain or ‘whatever the fuck’ his name was…..had given the slaves a pen and a piece of paper they could of thought of some too!

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    8. WOW!!!! LOL @SLICK!!!!

      YOU ARE OFF THE HOOK UP IN HERE!

      IT’S JUST A WORD…CALM DOWN BABY!
      WE CAN’T TAKE OFFENSE TO STUPID SHIT LIKE THIS AND IF YOU ARE OFFENDED BY IT THEN DAMN Be offended!!!!

      BUT IMO, IT NO LONGER APPLIES TO US!!!!!

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    9. Well, I have to admit that as a black person I was thinking the same when I heard they were replacing the n-word with slave, but for different reasons. The word slave is generic; any race can be a slave but the n-word was used for a very specific reason…t­o demean blacks but to also illustrate the ignorance of many whites who used it

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    10. @Adriane, I Co-sign,
      The historic use of the n-word is what makes the change in Twain’s book rather silly. Of course the n-word hurts and I hate it, but slave is really not the appropriat­e change. It’s puts us all in denial.

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    12. @Slick, OH YOU SAID IT NIGGA!…..

      @Angelhair, next time think b4 u speak…and b4 u write all those ignorant azz comments.

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  12. The more people hear about it in the media and talk about it, the more it fuels the fire. The sad truth is that if you research a lot of this, it is white people who are offended by the reality of history, not Blacks or Hispanics. It’s usually some White celebrity that’s offended in most cases and I could really care less what anyone thinks, celebrity or not. The fact that we are all forced to live together and work together doesn’t help the situation at all. No race of people is created the same. Different white folks and different black. I know White, Black and Hispanic folks that I wouldn’t piss on if they azzes were on fire. I know excellent folks of all 3 at the same time.

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  14. I’m seeing that all kinds of racist shit is jumping off since a black man is sitting and have residence all up and thru the white house.
    Why are these publishers re-releasing Twain’s work now, is this to start a race riot??? Makes you wonder… I’m numb to shit like this, i’ve learn some things you gotta take in stride.

    But ‘thanks’ heavyc for keeping our gurl abreast.

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    1. “I’m numb to shit like this, i’ve learn some things you gotta take in stride.”

      I agree with you @Elovely.
      Of course it’s a word that is not politically or any other way correct to use today, but it’s used.
      Are they at the same time going through books striking the words cracker, whitey, etc.

      I think it’s wrong to go back and try to rewrite history. You’d have to be crazy to believe we were called African Americans back then. It was Nigger, darkies, colored and every other unflattering term.

      They need to just leave it alone. We are all what we are, and just because the name doesn’t mean what it means, the content has changed as well.

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    1. I do agree with your comment @Starr.
      Ebert is married to a black woman. I’m sure he discussed this issue with her and knew posting such a tweet would get big headlines.

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  17. Of course that word is terrible, but are we going to change all of the great works that offend US as a people?
    Maybe it’s better to use the book as a history lesson if nothing else.

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    3. @Omar,
      Why would we change part of history because the “N” word was used.. Blacks call each other that all he time..I’ve seen them do it on T.V. & also I’m from the south & heard this every since I’ve lived here. I don’t personally believe you should call a black a “N” just, as you shouldn’t call a white a “Honkey, or a Mexican a “Spik”.. But if a book was written over a hundred years ago then why change the writing, just to satisfy a few who finds it offensive!!! If you don’t want to see it don’t read it!! Leave history alone!!!

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    4. People who want to change the language in Huckleberry Finn simply refuse to understand the message. Huck Finn, the lead character, is a product of his time and place, but learns through friendship with Jim, that honor, loyalty, friendship, and morality go beyond words. Huck is superstitious and illiterate, as is Jim. Regardless Huckleberry Finn, as originally published, is one of the most profound stories of morality ever written. For the love of God, read the book and think about it before you kill it.

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    5. I agree Kimmie2010,
      And thank God I still have my original copy !! Glenn Beck was right today when he said “How will we teach our children and have discussions with them over right and wrong if we “Delete” everything controversial?” I read this book in 7th grade and LOVED IT! It is still one of my favorites.

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    6. I disagree @Lisa,
      This is just more white – washing of American culture. Bad enough we still deny how racist we all still are; let’s deny how racist we where too? Oh hell NO!

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    1. don’t start no shit nicca…up until now you been pretty cool amongst us laying low n back in da cut…but don’t step out a line nicca and start talking shit cause that aint cool.

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      1. LOL @Anthony,
        That’s all I do is START SHIT!!!! I’m KNOWN as the shit starter..didn’t you know?

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      3. Hey Joanne!!!

        Either way, my comment was directed at the ‘AUTHOR’ of this blog. she better respond 2me 2.

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      4. Zion, NEGROID PLEASE!!!!!

        How do anyone send Tra info anyway? Via email, over breakfast in bed? LOL I mean how do yall send her info anyway?

        @Zion again, and why you gotta know who heavyc is and why is this IMPORTANT 2you??? You bought to hang yaself nicca.

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      5. please!!! @Xmen, Zion ain’t threatened by heavyc, he just playin…lol

        anyone can send tra info via email, if she’s interested, she’ll post it..if not then she won’t.
        thattisall.

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  22. I think “WE AS A PEOPLE” are in need of thicker skin.
    First of all, why must we weigh in on everybody’s words? As if they were life or death, and second, who the hell cares what Roger Ebert says, Damn!!!!

    HELL….I never even listened to his azz when he would give his opinion on a movie.

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    2. @BBallen, I COSIGN,
      Neither the N word nor the word slave have good vibes for us.
      The N word is a very derogatory word and meaning amongst our people. And against a race and has no place in a civilized society.

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  23. The ‘N’ word in huckleberry finn is important in that it never lets us forget the ignorance of the past. In the forward of the book it points out the ignorance and unacceptable vocabulary it brings IMO, all while leaving the N word intact. And it keeps a nasty taste in the mouth.

    History is being re-written to remind black folk that we were once an inferior race.

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    2. People can rant and raze all they want. A “Nicca” is a “Nicca” and always will be. And it has absolutely nothing to do with being black.

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  25. Well I’m offended by the word ‘cracker’ on every box in the snack aisle in my local supermarkets.

    Can we rename them too!!

    I love yall but c’mon now!!!!

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    3. But Civil,
      How do you respond to the hypocrisy of getting upset when non-colored people use the “N” word all the time, while being silent or accepting of its routine use among ourselves?
      If it’s wrong for one, it’s wrong for all…period.

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    5. Zion Exactly,, But the author was trying to point out that the behavior was wrong. so by removing it you are losing that message.

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  27. SOME BLACK FOLK (MEN ESPECIALLY) USE THE ‘N’ WORD FOR FUN AND FOR LAUGHS.
    BUT WHEN IT’S USED TO ‘DEGRADE US’ NOW DAT SHIT IS NOT FUNNY.

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  29. I think Ebert’s comment was misunderstood. He was merely giving his opinion on BOTH WORDS being USED in the book. Not necessarily degrading blacks.

    But we can spin this ‘N’ word thang allday erday, it is what it is…and half of us call each other niccas up n the ceo’s house on a regular. So….

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  31. They should have left the text as is. People should know that the n-word is negative and it’s not just a pejorative used in rap music videos.

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  32. I’m glad the ‘N’ word is being banned….I’m tired of the controversary that always SURROUNDS it!!! And YES we ‘OWN’ the word because we were labeled by THIS DREADFUL word. And YES Oh Hell YEs EBERT was out of place OUT of line and all dat other shit for USING IT.

    IDC People, if he is married to a black woman.

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    2. Adriane,
      Of course the ‘n’ word is offensive; it’s one of the most offensive words in the English language.

      But we can’t hide from the past. Twain consciousl­y used it to condemn the plight of African-Am­ericans held in slavery, and still held by the prison walls of racism in the late 19th century.

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