Larry Wilmore Shuts Down Critics Who Were Upset He Called the President "My Nigga" at WHCD

Larry Wilmore didn't waste time in addressing his critics for the comedian's remarks at the White House Correspondents Dinner Saturday. Wilmore kicked off The Nightly Show Monday explaining that he "hosted a little dinner party" with the likes of President Barack Obama and CNN's Don Lemon. Of course, the big news was at the end of Wilmore's speech, when he addressed the president saying, "You did it, my nigga." 

"I'm wrapping up my little speech and giving the president some props, telling him how much I appreciated him being the first black president," Wilmore said Monday. "And then I buttoned it with a little, um, let's say, colloquialism. There was a lot of reaction. Many people were upset about it. Many people supported it. And like the president himself, the reaction was mixed. Oh, shit, I did it again. Don't make those jokes, Larry!" 

Of the criticisms, though, Wilmore singled out an oft-controversial media figure from across the pond: Piers Morgan. Morgan wrote a pointed column about Wilmore's remark, in which he argued for ending the use of the word all together (even among black people), but Wilmore said he failed in distinguishing between n*gger and n*gga — and the connotations for both. 

"Are you saying I called the president a 'nigger'?" he says. "That's horrible, I would never do that. I believe I said, 'Yo Barry, you did it, my nigga.' There's a difference. Piers, you did not properly conjugate that slur. Very important. 'Nigger' is what white people use to denigrate, demean and dehumanize black people. And 'nigga' is a term of endearment some black people use between each other, to take back that power." 

Morgan's article — from the perspective of a white man — clearly missed its mark. But Wilmore imparts some advice for his future columns.  

"Now, you also said in your article, 'Larry, you're not a n***er and nor is Barack Obama.'" Wilmore said. "I know, stop calling us that! Stop it! Conjugate the slur! And then, also, don't use it."

You can check Wilmore's full response here. 

Read more: 7 Times Larry Wilmore Made White People Uncomfortable At the WHCD