Samuel L. Jackson demands interviewer use N-word
Samuel L. Jackson demanded a white interviewer use the N-word during an interview about the movie “Django Unchained.” The awkward interchange is below.
“There’s been a lot of controversy surrounding the usage of the N-word in this movie,” Houston film critic and producer Jake Hamilton begins in the video clip at the 13:56 mark.
“No? Nobody? None?” Jackson responds. “The word would be…?”
“I don’t want to say it,” Hamilton says.
“Why not?” Jackson asks.
“I don’t like to say it,” Hamilton says.
“Have you ever said it?” Jackson asks, picking up the pace.
“No, sir,” says Hamilton, looking more uncomfortable by the second.
“Try it,” Jackson urges.
“I don’t like to say it,” Hamilton pleads.
“TRY IT!” commands Jackson, beginning to sound like his character in “Pulp Fiction.”
“Really? Seriously?” asks Hamilton, now looking off camera, perhaps hoping someone can step in and help.
“We’re not going to have this conversation unless you say it,” Jackson states.
Hamilton pauses.
“You want to move onto another question?” Jackson mercifully offers.
“Awesome,” a relieved Hamilton says. Jackson cracks up.
Here’s the clip below, which we first saw on the Paste web site.
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99 comments Add your comment
Fred ™
January 3rd, 2013
4:16 am
NoMoreKim
January 2nd, 2013
7:28 pm
@Fred….With just a little effort you can hold your mouse over the sliding bar and see where Samuel Jackson’s part of the video starts. I have a short attention span and managed to figure it out and here I am commenting!? Amazing isn’t it?
+++++++++++++++++++
Wow, it sure is. I didn’t know you could do that with youtube videos. Doh. Thanks.
Now that I have SEEN the clip…….. I thought it was pretty funny. Classic Samuel Jackson. Timid people are always uncomfortable around those of us with the balls to speak our minds and aren’t worried about political correctness. I don’t know why. Personally i think the world would be a better place if folks just spoke up and quit mealy mouthing.
Always Skeptical
January 3rd, 2013
6:31 am
I saw the movie…phenomenal, and I saw the whole interview( before commenting, you should). It wasn’t about Jackson baiting the interviewer, Jackson was merely attempting to get the interviewer to elevate his “craft”. The interviewer could have easily broached race, racism and the use of racial epithets with Tarantino or the Austrian actor who played the bounty hunter, but he left the discussions of race to the black actors. What’s up with that? Mr. Jackson called him out on it. While he spent hours trying to come up with his questions for Tarantino, he took the easy way out with Jackson, who ended up with his own Django moment (see the Walz portion if the interview for clarification). He should have said the word, then maybe he could have had a conversation similar to the one Jackson and Foxx had with DiCaprio during filming…So while he fawned all over Tarantino and missed an opportunity to have a discussion of race and language with the film’s creator, or with a white actor ,he wimped out by leaving that discussion to the African-American cast members…And doing a poor job of it. Jackson was interested in providing a teachable moment and receiving better questions. If you can’t see that, you’re as bad as the interviewer.
Shaft of Gold in a Sea of Darkness
January 3rd, 2013
6:57 am
White people are spineless. We allow all races to denigrate us. We cower when they toy with us, afraid to offend them. And so we are abused for our weakness. And will continue to be so, until we are no longer the majority race, at which point we will be maligned and manhandled and ridiculed and treated like…like…the n word.
guy
January 3rd, 2013
7:01 am
Typical _? I can’t say the word.
Ricky Grooms
January 3rd, 2013
7:11 am
Sambo needs to do some more Krystal commercials like he started out doing.
Fred ™
January 3rd, 2013
7:46 am
Always Skeptical: Awesome post dude. I didn’t watch the whole clip. I watched about 5 minutes of the beginning and then the Sam Jackson stuff.
You nailed it though. Sam tried to get HIM to think and the guy couldn’t do it.
Electric_Pink
January 3rd, 2013
7:55 am
People, Samuel Jackson was joking with the interviewer. He has a reputation for putting people on the spot to create awkward situations, but it’s all in jest. Get over yourselves. Secondly, the n-word was routinely used in many parts of the US in 1858. What, Tarantino should’ve made a film dealing with slavery and not use it? It’s a movie for one’s entertainment, but it should also be realistic for historical accuracy. I agree that in today’s time, there’s no excuse for using that word, for whites or blacks, in the real world. Black people insisting that the word as a term of endearment and in their music is just plain ridiculous, and I’m black.
KBofATL
January 3rd, 2013
8:23 am
Reporters and journalists screw with the people they interview regularly by digging too much, and continuing to push questions onto the person being interviewed, even when it’s obvious the person being interviewed wants to avoid the line of questions. Apparently, when the tables are turned, it’s too unpleasant to stand for the whiners with mics.
This has nothing to do with baiting, race or racism. It’s SLJ turning the tables on a reporter, plain and simple.
Valerie
January 3rd, 2013
8:34 am
@Tawna, I never knew Samuel Jackson was related to Michael Jackson. I do believe that’s a rumor.
Samuel Jackson is speaking what many would like to say. The movie depicted the attitudes and words that were spoken at that time. Sad to say the word is still being used today. Its an ugly word and I for one do not care to use it and have not used it. The rappers continue to use it in song and gets upset when a white person uses it??? Its a double standard!
N Word
January 3rd, 2013
8:43 am
I’ll say it. ……..There, I just said it. Did you hear it?
Hoohaa fan
January 3rd, 2013
8:52 am
Nicca…who givesa fug about this 2bit actor.
Rick Day
January 3rd, 2013
8:54 am
STILL a better love story than “Twilight”.
welikebaseball2
January 3rd, 2013
8:57 am
Firstly, Jennifer Brett, why would you open up commenting for an article centered around use of the “N” word? Maybe it would be okay if you actually monitored & deleted inappropriate comments, but based on the 8th comment from the top, you’re doing no such thing. I get that you thought the interview was funny. Honestly, I did too. It’s just that there’s no way this wouldn’t turn into an opportunity for cowards (angry because they aren’t allowed to use the word openly) to sit behind their keyboards & spew things they wouldn’t have the guts to say in public. So, Ms. Brett, I get that your intent was lighthearted but, after all, this is the AJC website where there’s no such thing as a lighthearted exchange about a racially sensitive topic.
resno2
January 3rd, 2013
9:15 am
Of course it’s a double standard, and turning a blind eye to ‘the word’ is not going to fix anything. And making a big deal out of the fact that it is socially acceptable to black to use it and not whites only adds to the problem. Ignore it, and those that use it. If you don’t like it… don’t use it. duh… And those who feel it necessary to be called ‘African’ Americans are part of the problem. If you’re an American, your an American… period. Categorizing yourself only adds ammunition for feeling slighted.
forthelulz
January 3rd, 2013
9:25 am
@Tawna you do realize Samuel L. Jackson isn’t part of Michael Jackson’s family right? Not everyone with the last name “Jackson” is related to the king of pop…
adamreyn
January 3rd, 2013
9:27 am
When is “cracker” gonna become the “C” word or “redneck” the “R” word or “hick the “H” word? My thinking for all of these streotypes is this… if you don’t want to be stereotyped, don’t act stereotypical.
welikebaseball2
January 3rd, 2013
9:35 am
@reson2: So, do you also believe Asian Americans or Latin Americans should just be called ‘Americans’?
resno2
January 3rd, 2013
9:50 am
welikebaseball2: Yes. They are Americans, are they not?
adamreyn
January 3rd, 2013
10:00 am
oh, I almost forgot….we need to make “White Trash” the “WH” word and “Trailer Trash” the “TT” word
adamreyn
January 3rd, 2013
10:02 am
people are so funny, they want to away with segregation, but demand the right to segregate by denoting themselves as African, Asian, or Latin American. i agree with resno2, to me we’re all just Americans.
adamreyn
January 3rd, 2013
10:07 am
i can see what Mr. Jackson was trying to do and I appreciate it. He was trying to pull the cover off the over-sensitivity in dealing with the root issue. But seriously, until we as a people can have a honest dialogue that there are huge double-standards in how racism is only aggressively gone after if it originates from a white person when there is enough racism from all parties involved that needs to be addressed. One thing, IMHO, that causes resentment is the fact that racism from a white person is pounced on while racism from any other color is treated as if its justified. until we can be real about it, it will never go away.
JG
January 3rd, 2013
10:09 am
We forget why Samuel Jackson was even there….to promote HIS movie. The reporter should have just walked away and left him sitting there. If the media would quit giving celebrities a pass on bad behavior, then they’d lose their forum for promoting their work, then what would they all do? This was just rude behavior, and we all know what he was trying to accomplish, it was just rude and childish self promotion. Certainly the reporter had a job to do and wants the story, but this was not much different than the self-promoting behavior seen on Houswives, Jersey Shore, or the K’s. Also, who cares what the interviewer thinks or how he feels? This was an interview with Jackson and apparently people care what “he” thinks, so why bait the reporter?
baited?... NOPE... ignant!!!
January 3rd, 2013
10:27 am
if the interviewer was so uncomfortable with saying the N-word, then why was he NOT uncomfortable bringing it up? that’s like asking some1 homeless do they pay rent!! but y’all didn’t see that. y’all so lame!!
Sammy
January 3rd, 2013
10:36 am
Is Samuel Jackson on crack again?
welikebaseball2
January 3rd, 2013
10:57 am
@resno2: Fair enough. It’s obvious we just see the issue differently. One man’s “category” is another man’s heritage. And there’s nothing wrong with one acknowledging their own heritage. If someone identifying with & celebrating their heritage/ancestry divides us, then it goes way deeper than what we choose to call ourselves anyway.
welikebaseball2
January 3rd, 2013
11:02 am
@adamreyn: So, because I acknowledge my African roots, or if an Asian acknowledges their Asian roots, it makes us segregationists? I couldn’t disagree more. And for the record, simply calling everyone “American” denies & disregards the very history of how America became America. That’s all. I’m out. Blessings to you guys. I’m all for intelligent exchange & would continue ours if I didn’t have to get to work. It’s some of the other ignorance on here that’s intolerable.
jbfj
January 3rd, 2013
11:13 am
Lost all respect for Jackson years ago after he had a flat out racist conversation on ESPN in a so called chat with another racist, Bill Russell of the Celtics. It was very embarassing to see both guys resort to that but Jackson has started acting like he is better than anyone, including blacks. Jamie Foxx is starting to act the same way now that he has won an Oscar. These atheletes and movie stars seem to forget quickly where they actually came from and how fast it can go away. And it’s not just blacks, but Jackson is all about the money and could care less about his fans. I saw him last year at the new Cobb Center at a local event and he was a total jerk to a few people that wanted to take a picture with him and he was not doing anything or going anywhere, just standing around.
4xtra
January 3rd, 2013
11:16 am
I am black and I love it……..
Lets put it out there….
you idiots need to SHUT YOUR MOUTH
The HELL with political correctness…..you clowns say that word all day EVERYDAY.
Then you have enough nerve to smile in a black persons face even though some of you hate blacks because of the few you see on the news who are out here doing stupid stuff.
**Veiled racism is more DANGEROUS than a someone burning a cross**
Yea….I said it
JS
January 3rd, 2013
11:17 am
saw the movie, it sucked. worst tarantino movie ever. oh and black people use the word too, so quit blaming whitey.
MoFaux
January 3rd, 2013
11:52 am
RE: BAMF. This is a reference to a scene in Pulp Fiction when Mr. Jackson is asking for his wallet back from the diner robbers. “It’s the one the says BMF on it!” I believe the “A” should be missing though. It’s just BMF.
You people need to lighten up. Yes, I said YOU PEOPLE, meaning anyone, white black or purple, who can’t stand ANY word being spoken in such a context. There is a huge difference between using a word in a derogatory manner and using it in a conversation not meant as an insult. Censorship is lame.
gunga din
January 3rd, 2013
12:01 pm
reporter should have used the racial slur and added the required MF in front of it !!!
Always Skeptical
January 3rd, 2013
12:05 pm
@ JS,
There’s a first season Saturday Night Live skit between Chevy Chase and Richard Pryor made just for you…
Drong
January 3rd, 2013
12:33 pm
If i was the interviewer I would of stood up and smacked Samuel upside the head!
DragonKing
January 3rd, 2013
12:35 pm
It is an ugly word that is only used by ugly people.
G. Patton Hughes
January 3rd, 2013
12:42 pm
Okay, I finished watching the video.
All you folks giving Jackson grief for trying to make the interviewer say the “n-word” are totally oblivious to the fact that Jackson was just being himself … which is to be guy in charge.
The whole crew, which included Tarintino and other cast members had been asked really tough questions that put the interviewer at an advantage. He’d done his homework and was throwing those interviewed for a loop as he sought to get past the obvious … which was good to a degree and is obviously his controlling interviewing style.
However, Jackson, to his credit, didn’t want to play that game. When he got thrown the “n-word” question regarding the extensive usage of the epithet, he turned the tables … bang. It was a simple interpersonal power play designed to throw the interviewer off his game. I’m sure from Jackson’s POV, he wondered why he should have to answer the question of why the n-word was used so often in the film if the interviewer couldn’t use it once. He avoided that question rather elegantly in my opinion.
Big C
January 3rd, 2013
12:54 pm
@Drong. And you would have gotten your ass beat!
@Always Skeptical. Amen. My thoughts exactly.
My feelings on it is this. It is historically such a hateful and demeaning word, those who are not Black or have never experienced racism from Whites will never know the feeling that word provokes. I believe Jake is a liar, and the rest of you are liars, if you say you’ve NEVER said that word!. This movie is a historical piece, and in this historical time, the N word was used terribly. In the late 80’s and 90’s, we used it as a term of endearment. Now, since the “Rap” game has gone mainstream, and other races are listening to it, the term, itself has become mainstream again as well. However, you can never take away the hate and pain that word has caused, and I truly wish people would stop using it. I dont’ use it around my children, nor do I allow them to use it. And I cringe, the moment my relatives try to use it around my kids. We have to learn to be respectable to others. If it offends Little People to be called Midgets, then stop doing that! If gay people don’t want to be called other words, respect that. If ugly people don’t want to be called ugly…Well there’s nothing you can do about that.
SamE
January 3rd, 2013
12:58 pm
If there was a way I could make the Nword dissappear from our minds I would do it. NOTHING good comes from ANY racial slurs, in ANY context. All the folks who continue to degrade their cultures by using racial slurs, I can only pray that your eyes will be opened.
Missy
January 3rd, 2013
1:07 pm
Its sad how many didnt watch the video and commented with strong and divisive remarks. Please watch and understand the context of the interview before commenting. Jackson was having fun with the interviewer. He used the moment to turn the tables on him since the interviewer had up to that point pressed the crew with some uncomfortable questions. It was funny. I dont see how adults could watch this clip and feel so strongly, it was prettly light in contrast to the headline of the story.
Chip Shirley Show!
January 3rd, 2013
1:25 pm
What a stupid mouthbreathing bigoted hatemonger Tarantino is. He is an exploiter of hate violence and racism all for his sensationalistic monetary gain…the scum of the earth…
I DIDN’T HEAR JACKSON SAY THE N -WORD EITHER!
———————>DJANGO ‘UN-GOOD’
Once again Tarantino takes on a rough subject concerning violence, race and sex…and once again he makes a joke out of it and pats himself on the back while he mouth breathes a nerdy laugh.
Tarantino is Bevis and Butthead as a ’supposedly’ serious director….GROSS!
The actors and director did a Fine Job on this movie. The PRODUCER was at fault for his treatment of the subject. It was lighthearted and sensationalistic and lacked a true heart for the intense subject at hand. That is Tarantino.
You would NEVER see a cool Jew assassin partying and killing his way through Nazi Germany, like Clint Eastwood and we as a society should not have this crap shoved down our throats by corporate cinema!
This is an intellectual snuff film.
———->http://chipshirleyshow.blogspot.com/
So Many Idiots in One Place
January 3rd, 2013
1:32 pm
FYI The N word refers to ALL RACES, COLORS, ETHNICITY, EDUCATION LEVELS, INCOME LEVELS, ETC. DO YOU READ ME? OVER & OUT IDIOTS!!
Roekest
January 3rd, 2013
1:44 pm
Oh, I use it everyday when I’m driving around Atlanta…
MT
January 3rd, 2013
2:00 pm
It was an attempt by Jackson to intimidate the interviewer, Pure and simple.
MT
January 3rd, 2013
2:12 pm
FYI The N word refers to ALL RACES, COLORS, ETHNICITY, EDUCATION LEVELS, INCOME LEVELS, ETC. DO YOU READ ME? OVER & OUT IDIOTS!!
Wrong, the word is southern slang for Negro. Just as many people in the
south do not say window, they say “go look out the winda”. This crap about the N word applying to all races is political correctness,just like people trying to change history to make it read the way they want it to.The word was never originally intended to be demeaning, it was just slang for negro.Yes over the years it come to be that, because of groups like the KKK and racism. But then again so has Cracker.
MT
January 3rd, 2013
2:17 pm
@Drong. And you would have gotten your ass beat!
Big C
How do you know?
You don’t think Jackson may have ever gotten his ass kicked.
Action movies are one thing, real life is another.
Big C
January 3rd, 2013
3:52 pm
Computer gansters. LOL!!!
Quantavious Argene Mack, Jr. the 3rd
January 3rd, 2013
4:38 pm
Yo yo yo………..martin luther da’ kang!!!!
Atle Stephanopolis
January 4th, 2013
2:36 pm
It was a good article until Samuel started acting like an animal.
I dropped my fried twinkie
January 5th, 2013
1:28 pm
#factcheck @ grachel the N-word was not used a million times in the movie…it was used 152 times…IJS
The movie is 165 minutes long so I guess the Only time the N-word wasn’t used was during the ending credits. Did you really have to say the N-word once a minute?
Peach Buzz
January 7th, 2013
10:39 am
Noodle… ok now I’ve said it.