The People v. O.J. Simpson dropped the "Race Card" episode this week. And despite the fact that the usage of the racial slur draws its inspiration from the actual trial (though dramatized, obviously) the Twitterverse is torn about whether or not the word should have shown up at all.
Outrage aside, the fact is that Nathan Lane's lines — along with the use of the expletive in this intense scene — were drawn from life. In the video below, you can hear attorney F. Lee Bailey's actual examination of police detective Mark Fuhrman. (The footage in question begins approximately 5 hours and 55 minutes in.)
But just because the word was used in the trial, does that necessarily mean it needed to show up — particularly in such heavy rotation — on ACS? That question seems to be central to the controversy surrounding its usage in the episode. But at least one person thinks that the series' writers made the right move: Cuba Gooding, Jr., who plays O.J. Simpson.
The actor defended the decision to use the slur during an interview with People, saying that he thought it was "important" that they said it — and that people hear it.
"Our job as artists is to reflect the ills of society sometimes and to find a truth in that," he said, "and I think you can't start the healing process until you recognize the truth and all of its ugly warts and all." The ugly wart has surfaced. And we already know what comes next in this story.
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#ThePeoplevOJSimpson Nathan Lane saying the N word noooo.
— bluejean (@bluejean24) March 9, 2016
Guess this is why this show is rated TV-MA L #PeoplevOJSimpson
— Joel Raneri (@MrJoelRaneri) March 9, 2016
why is the white guy in people vs oj saying the n word
— claudia (@tinafeyever) March 9, 2016
I can't believe #ThePeoplevOJSimpson had a white guy saying the n-word about five times in two minutes last night.
— Jordan Layman (@NaturallyKatz) March 9, 2016
Aye that Nathan Lane scene was like that #SNL"12 years a slave skit"😭
— (404)-WITNESS (@BougieAndGhetto) March 9, 2016
Didn't need to hear Timon use the n-word this many times. Nathan Lane has used it more times in that minute than I have in my entire life!
— Prose Nylund (@Bleakey) March 9, 2016
Outrage aside, the fact is that Nathan Lane's lines — along with the use of the expletive in this intense scene — were drawn from life. In the video below, you can hear attorney F. Lee Bailey's actual examination of police detective Mark Fuhrman. (The footage in question begins approximately 5 hours and 55 minutes in.)
YouTube.
But just because the word was used in the trial, does that necessarily mean it needed to show up — particularly in such heavy rotation — on ACS? That question seems to be central to the controversy surrounding its usage in the episode. But at least one person thinks that the series' writers made the right move: Cuba Gooding, Jr., who plays O.J. Simpson.
The actor defended the decision to use the slur during an interview with People, saying that he thought it was "important" that they said it — and that people hear it.
"Our job as artists is to reflect the ills of society sometimes and to find a truth in that," he said, "and I think you can't start the healing process until you recognize the truth and all of its ugly warts and all." The ugly wart has surfaced. And we already know what comes next in this story.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
This Is What Happens When Hillary Clinton Shows Up On Broad City
What's Behind The Last-Minute Bachelorette Casting Switch-Up?
New Season Of Kimmy Schmidt Combines Elf, Mad Men & Titus Andromedon, Of Course