Don Lemon Holds Up N-Word Sign on CNN, Twitter responds

Conversations about racism are never an easy subject but using a racial slur on live television will definitely cause a stir.

And that’s just what CNN anchor Don Lemon got.

On Monday night during a live CNN broadcast, Lemon held up an uncensored black sign with the N-word on it, in all caps white font. He then asked the public to weigh in on whether the word was appropriate to use. What soon followed was a huge Twitter backlash.

In his defence, Lemon was discussing the day’s biggest stories, mainly the one about President Obama using the N-word during an interview with Marc Maron. The podcast interview was about racial tensions in America in light of the recent slaying of nine African Americans in Charleston, South Carolina. Obama used the N-word during the interview with Maron: ““It’s not just a matter of it not being polite to say n****r in public.”

[video 1]

Many were surprised by Obama’s use of the racial slur and the “N-word” became the subject of discussion; mainly on whether the word should be censored in media outlets.

Clearly, Lemon did not think so.

During Lemon’s segment, he first picked up a Confederate flag and said, “This is what America is talking about right now. Does this offend you? It’s a Confederate flag. Is it a symbol of Southern pride or a symbol of hate?”

“And then what about this?” he continued as he reached for the sign with the N-word on it.

He then asked, “Does this offend you? This word. President Obama said it out loud in an interview and a lot of people are shocked.”

[video 2]

Viewers may have been shocked by Obama’s use of the N-word but Lemon took it to a whole new level. And it didn’t take long for Twitter to respond and create a new meme.

On Twitter, the large sign has since been photo shopped. Lemon is seen holding the sign with various images replacing the original word.

Here are just a few:

[Twitter 1]

[Twitter 2]

[Twitter 3]

[Twitter 4]