Wood Harris on "The Wire" Creator David Simon Using the N-Word

Legendary actor Wood Harris sat with Vlad to discuss how the meaning of the N-Word has changed over time and not being bothered about the N-word even though it's one of the most loaded in American history. He also explains how different cultures use the N-word even though they aren't technically Black. He discusses how Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole are more like Pac in this generation and how conscious hip hop was immensely popular in the day.
Check out the exclusive interview here.

[@tonykennedy8592]

He fights for his roles, he fights for his culture, but most of all....He fights for his corners

[@AzulValium]

The game is the game

[@danielwarren3138]

Just a gangsta, I suppose

[@KevinH879]

Best show

[@lobinhodnb]

"I'm just a gangsta I suppose..."

[@HanmaSaitama]

lobinho1895 and I want my corners

[@justice4641]

Bro. Loved it

[@justice4641]

Nelson Maliavelli love it

[@fungus_am0nguz644]

I haven't watched the video and i guarantee that Vlad is going to say "I never say the N word" for the hundred time on VladTV….smh

[@ToroidalVortexLove]

Juan Gil called it.

[@kennylafortune2107]

Juan Gil he said on a interview with taxstone when they were talking about DMX, it slipped by accident "nigga, we all love DMX "- Vlad

[@TeflondonKEV]

brooo Lmaoooo facts

[@Michael-vl7ey]

@@kennylafortune2107 which interview ?

[@alden5155]

He pretty much nailed. "its a switch". A fucking word, what's going on politically or economically is far more important and of value.

[@DarkSideOfTheBrightSide]

Alde N exactly..

[@OntarioAndrews415]

When he said he's just a fighter I was thinking of this line in The Wire that he said: "I'm just a gangster I suppose. And I want my corners." :)

[@tesenaysamuels5161]

Ontario Andrews he probably thought that too

[@TheCrystalPhoenix]

I remember that when him and stringer were arguing

[@bluefilmsltd]

This was 'Get Out' levels of patronising. Cutting off Wood Harris in an effort to convince him that you don't use it?? Why??The interview was going well up until then.

[@joshuacooper7074]

Blue Sera Films 🤮

[@joshuacooper7074]

You’re wack

[@marquezkent]

Well put Harris! I really enjoy your work and I feel you is a person is well in tune with yourself and is very intelligent

[@rugpull500]

Either it’s a fight or a dance. This dude is eloquent

[@BrizBrina]

I loved your role in the new edition movie, 👏👏👏

[@jafabian37]

You can see Wood is trying to get the interviewer to move on and it's so annoying that he keeps bringing it back because it fascinates him (the interviewer).

[@isaacbarrow9155]

Classic white guy asking a black guy how he feels and then bogarting the conversation

[@mitchelll3879]

Oh shut up..u don't want the "word" used then GD stop using it

[@i_know_youre_right_but]

He is not white, he’s Jewish. There’s a difference.

[@slimeballsake]

@@i_know_youre_right_butsame thing😂😂

[@expiredcannedbeans]

@@i_know_youre_right_but biggest hoax in history to pretend Jews ain’t white. Simon and Vlad are ashkenazi Jew with family originally from Russia and Belarus. How is that not white?! Jews made up that lie to gain privilege in society over other races. The sick part is that they actually believe they are discriminating against just like blacks

[@subomiodumosu7818]

"there go the dance part. now let's FIGHT." 😄😄😄 that's the shit I'm on

[@prdrsensation23]

I swear in Vlad interviews now I here vlad more than the person he's interviewing.

[@leegrabelsky2696]

Rite?..Sucks

[@curtisg4817]

Bruh said “Hannity! my Nigga!” Lmao I’m weak

[@expiredcannedbeans]

😂😂😂😂

[@marc07112]

dead prez's let's get free was AMAZING

[@damesondolla]

The most eloquent and introspective man in personal life… the most gangsta and ruthless criminal on screen.

[@369pendulum]

He was nowhere near the most ruthless gangsta on screen. He wasn't even more ruthless than Marlo. Great character though.

[@lasp0065]

Damn Avon is intricate with his opinions. 100

[@EscosRevenge]

Either it’s a fight or a dance 💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾

[@toneriggz]

Here just to hear Vlad say "I never say that word".

[@Sean-gq6vj]

What kind of interviewer literally raises his voice to overpower the interviewee? It's like this dude would rather hear himself than the person on camera...

[@l1348]

He literally raises his voice? So he turns his head towards the sky to speak?

[@cMind607]

@@l1348 tf are you replying to a 4 year old comment for with some bs?

[@leegrabelsky2696]

Yup..Seemed to make it an out think Wood Contest...Like hey Wood I can examine situations just like you.. See?... ...Oops yea, No ....

[@Sean-gq6vj]

@@cMind607 🤣

[@CipherSerpico]

IT IS A WORD. The more you say “you can’t use it”, the more power you will give it. There is no such thing as a “bad word”, there are only “bad contexts”.

[@kevingomez-johnson4194]

I disagree; Words DO hold power if you use them in a certain way. You could say one thing unintentionally or intentionally and someone will fly off the handle, You don't know what a person has been through nor the circumstances they were brought up in, You say the wrong thing and you might end up in the ICU.

[@CB-kc5ys]

This guy is my favorite black actor

[@heriksalvadorianreacts6646]

@Honesty First XDDDDDDD

[@txmetalhead82xk]

Great interview!

[@nykballaz]

"Who said it in hurt" lmaoo

[@TWENTYTWOBeats]

Lmao just coming to comment that as I read this

[@THEDOPEGAME]

I'm Puerto Rican... and I'm BLACK. So WTF does it mean when people say "Puerto Rican" as if to say we aren't black. Most Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Trinidadians, Cubans, and Jamaicans are just like me...AFRO CARIBBEAN. So when we call each other "NIGGA" it isn't like white boys or Asians calling themselves "NIGGAS" because we ALL came on a boat... from Africa 💯

[@Cobbido]

They don't hold to the one drop rule.

[@youngdotorachi9786]

anyone can say what they want they just have to deal with the consequences

[@allaboutthemurzic]

Facts

[@HolyDruggaLord]

And if you decide to be the consequences for free speech expect legal action

[@youngdotorachi9786]

@@HolyDruggaLord something I have already proven I will enforce consequences for what I believe and have and will deal with my consequences as well.

[@treblegclef1466]

@@HolyDruggaLord Legal action after the fact, doesn’t negate you still got yo ass whooped.

[@kennylafortune2107]

Vlad used the word before on a interview with taxstone talking about DMX at the 0:32 mark lol

[@CAPwilliams8842]

Every black person knows if someone is using it to be racist or not. All about how you use it to me

[@CAPwilliams8842]

ultimate super savage When you hide behind a profile because you wouldn't dare say that shit to my face. Lmaoooooo

[@StoutProper]

I guess, I wouldn't be using it with someone I didn't know well though

[@elahosun2101]

white people can't say that shit around me period I'll do 25 plus in a max proudly I don't play that shit

[@irti_pk]

@@elahosun2101 so you'll kill a white person if they say it around you?

[@DCI-Frank-Burnside]

Fo' four hun'ed years, that word has kept us down...

[@busylivnlife2304]

Great actor!

[@BrokenDollyTV]

1:43 YES, I agree bro.

[@akasiarmah602]

While I disagree with David Simon's use of the word, his use was in a context of emphasizing that the event was not in the interest of African Americans as it was being perceived. Unfortunately, the message was completely lost in the kerfuffle that ensued. Keep in mind he's a writer and was using that to say- "You are not down for the cause" so stop the deceit and pretending. It's unfortunate that message was lost and it can deter people who are in a position to shed light on African American struggles to not be as open to do so particularly if they are going to be branded a racist. This tells you the potency of that word. On another note, admire & love your work Wood Harris ...and your brother's too! The wire and the practice were groundbreaking!!!

[@bluefilmsltd]

Exactly. Well said. Btw, who is this guy interviewing Wood Harris?

[@50kal44]

The irony here is hilarious Simon being racially insensitive while claiming it’s Trump and Hannity being fucked up. Trump isn’t what you guys think the media is lying to you because they are ideological. They believe minorities need to be disenfranchised so that they can attain power from them in an effort to fix it, but nothing ever gets done they just comeback around every 2-4 years selling racism, fear, and bigotry to minorities so they can “save them” The ultimate irony is that the Democratic Party went from peddling the KKK and fear of blacks to peddling gentrification and white flight and fear of whites. Think about it, whites in the early 20th century were driven by the otherization of minorities, those same racist appeals are being made to black people day about white people. Don’t buy into racism.

[@search5819]

Did Vlad just say "Ubiquitous"????

[@whitephilip1445]

didnt vlad say he discovered and promoted trinidad james 'all gold everything'? are we supposed to believe he never rapped the "nigga nigga nigga" part?

[@heynowls3058]

Good actor. Tough issue.

[@jackdriscoll8387]

this man is so cool

[@brendankelly6981]

best show ever made with out doubt???

[@sam2stu]

Avon still a trill soulja very smart individual

[@robertmathews1217]

wood harris lookin at vlad like da fuck

[@Sakk776]

You know I never really criticize the creator using that word even though he is white I am definitely alright with him putting it in the script

[@s4mp_founder]

Not worrying about David Simon's use of the N word oppose to Trump's presidency or Hannity as a well known and despised fox personaility. To me is absolutely confusion because in all honesty if we look at the other two's chracteristics presented globally in comparison to the white producer who used the word comfortably there really isn't any difference. They're actually one in the same from a behavior standpoint. Just because we've never seen them say it doesn't mean they never use it especially when it comes to they're views on blacks. They've just never been caught.

[@EdoKwin]

Vlad needs to learn to take "I don't care" for answer and move on. Total nonissue.

[@Overlorddz]

Really appreciate Harris pointing out "in 'America'" at 2:38. Because yeah... calling N-word the heaviest word in the whole English language is a little toooo much credit for a curse word. That interview is so US-centric. Compared to most Western countries, the United States is extremely selective on ethnicity!! There are countries where the inequality is just because the ethnic blend is only few decades old- instead of the US policy of abusing ethnicity for centuries and keeping it that way! (btw to most western countries the US is extreme and almost fascist in many aspects- neo-nazism, capital punishment, the whole prison industry actually, very narrow political spectrum/representation- shit like that)

[@CalebOrvik]

You either come to fight or dance…🙏

[@ComandanteJ]

A lot of young people use it even in other countrys with other languages. Because of movies, of videogames, of music. Me myself, a Spanish 29 year old caucasian man, use it with my friends all the time,as they do. We dont use to insult each other, but as a sign of friendliness, a sign of friendship above stupid things... For us, "nigga" means someone badass, someone who can push forward, because that's how black people are oftem times represented in media, so when they use it, it ends up sticking. Also, when we talk about black people, i find it a lot more friendly when we call him "nigga" than "negro", because "negro" only talks about the color of his skin, but "nigga"... i dont know, it's badass.

[@inzo313]

@ 1:46 lmaoo

[@thechosen5805]

wood Harris looking like Rog from what's happening!

[@roncur]

The Chosen lol

[@parrishthomas92]

The Chosen 😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@StoutProper]

Malcom x

[@gotjuice9]

He kinda do tho!

[@dalegribble4357]

Guy made one of the best shows in tv history and this is what you focus on?

[@amerikkankorruption1738]

i thought it was tyler.

[@youngboysnation]

My thoughts exactly

[@alexm2930]

The bomb squad saved Def Jam, Warren G has saved Def Jam, DMX & Jay-Z have saved Def Jam. Anybody else I am missing?

[@yungslushyboi2038]

we are giving the word too much power. loads of races get called horrible things but we hold this to a higher standard for some reason. i dont blame black people for getting offended by it if its used in a derogotary way but most blacks use it in a friendly way now and so do their white friends.

[@youngdotorachi9786]

Yung CheetoBoi goofy stfu

[@cooliegee]

No one addressed David Simon who is Jewish about using this word? WOW

[@Bray_Jay]

Coolie Gee Films That's what I said.

[@AARONKAYE]

it's like this: if you're going to be offended by the word, don't just tell others they can't say it. YOU STOP SAYING it. otherwise, shut up.

[@SlickDeville410]

We gave the word too much power. They love when we call ourselves that word. If you use it don't do it around Caucasians and Europeans.

[@LeoSlimTV]

Slick Deville that's the womb thing to be worried about.

[@LeoSlimTV]

wrong*

[@SlickDeville410]

Leo SlimTV It's alot of other things to be worried about, but racism and prejudice still exists which is what this is about.

[@LeoSlimTV]

Slick Deville naw, I agree, but worrying about that word, when there's more walking than talking going on in this racist society, we need to say fuck that talking shit.

[@999a0s]

this guy is right. every single caucasian and european person on earth is super racist and evil, including me, and whenever we see black people using the N word to each other we usually rub our hands together and cackle like mad scientists, then we bring it up at the bi-weekly meeting of All White People In The Entire World where we discuss how we can all be more racist and evil.

[@THEREALtrappajohn]

Wood Harris is my nigga if he dont get no bigger lol but I SWEAR that he looks like Roger from "What's Happening ".

[@acheronnchase6220]

“Everybody EEEEEaaatttsss”

[@matthewlevario5266]

Dj vlad interviews himself

[@Sakk776]

Most people have their own opinion about words they use on the show including that one but me I never see it as a problem you wanna use it I am cool with it I say that word all the time I never take offense to it that word I enjoy saying it

[@allforus4376]

he absolutely right but Idk man it's hard to just take that shit on the chin, just being honest.

[@solomonsmithlll9490]

Yeah it's just a word but Wars was started by just words being said

[@RodieRo1]

💯

[@Alejandro-xz9kd]

david got the n word pass

[@cloudsleyfalconbridge]

David Simon, my nigga

[@petebates8454]

I want my corners

[@user-lp1ol6ij7i]

Rappers say it but not the white ones like Eminem he might have issues with that word but I think that he wants to make peace with the black community that might be the reason why

[@stashlomain]

Why Knowbody never mention MEEK MILL in the same breath as J COLE or KENDRICK Lamar he's HAVING more of an impact on the culture BECAUSE he's been in still going through it first hand, And his music is Better if you ask me his Catalog is crazy. NAME 1 SONG KENDRICK OR COLE HAVE THATS BETTER THEN MEEK MILL'S INTRO 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 ILL WAIT. ?

[@titanic8844]

Meek is trash

[@009Raines]

It's Jus Another Word Like Da Phrase *Retarted Or Stupid* 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@warske07]

Evan the simple fact you texted I got black friends. Can appear your racists. Yo that word ain't got no power unless you give it power!!! It's not what your called but what you answer to. I got a word for all of us and it's LOVE. Oh no I didn't. Yeah I did that 4 letter word

[@0n3z]

1:47

[@iloveketchup20]

There is a demon inside of him at 0:12

[@tylergrant5328]

2:27 its an american word

[@pvtbx4198]

The way in which David Simon used the word gives me no offence. I don't give a shit

[@PatchedThePipe]

I understand the history of the word and how it can offend a lot of ppl... but I don't think most people use it in reference to skin colour now, they use it in a similar way to words like 'dude' or ''my man'

[@zippoboyshaneshank8954]

I feel like the N Word has a completely different context nowadays. It's more often used as term of endearment, than a racial slur. As a white person, I feel like it's not socially acceptable for myself to use, so I don't do it, but I have great respect for how the culture has reappropriated it, and in many ways taken away it's teeth. Words have the power to hurt, until we stop giving them that power... I don't want to see any human beings using their power to hurt anyone else.

[@roninblax]

The teeth are still there, especially when you're the only black person in the room or its on the job site.

[@mitchelll3879]

@@roninblax yea, always the victim.. it's what blacks, small b, do best

[@twocents6951]

Don't say that s**t around me David Simon. 🤕👊🏾

[@user-lp1ol6ij7i]

Do I disagree with him using the word in television of course not it is only a word I never think that it is hurtful to people

[@CAM8689]

young ppl overall just don't care about it.......however there are still some young cats that don't feel that come from white folks especially down south its not all good.

[@wariosandpaper4019]

vlad wishes he was black

[@SCBrown]

It's a utility word.

[@darkmarketswapshop9546]

"I never say it....Ever...... If I have to say it I'll say it " - Vlad quote 😕😕😕😕 . Somebody slap him for lying all the time

[@chutesharrowyndaly6457]

Im white and I will say it when ever the heck I want . No one can tell me how to talk but I will admitt i only use it when im pissed nevr as a term of indearment.

[@djakademikslovesdrake6900]

HI GUYS ITS ME TIM AKA OREGON THUMB I HAD TO MAKE A NEW ACCOUNT SO ILL KEEP PUTTING UP ORIGINAL JOKES THAT I MADE UP

[@djakademikslovesdrake6900]

DON'T FORGET I STILL LOVE LITTLE BOYS. SO IF YOUR 10 OR YOUNGER ILL SHOW YOU A GOOD TIME

[@dwill5068]

u over jokin about being a child molestor thinkin its funny feds watchin yo dumb ass screen over u trying to be funny dumbass

[@joseywales4638]

Comments about Trump didn't age well. I wonder how he likes Biden and his cabinet members right about now. LoL

[@Frwill126]

Well seeing how the over 200 Federal judges Trump now have a lifetime appointment, I’d say he was worried about the right thing

[@adnanc110]

its just a word, why are people so triggered? it is either we all use it or no one uses it. props to harris

[@LN.2233]

Yeah, those black people, mad about a word used to demonize them

[@dwill5068]

if you dont understand why it offends someone u jus stupid .

[@adnanc110]

this dick aint free if someone gets offended by a WORD, then they are stupid

[@LN.2233]

A C damn, all those black people before 2017 in the United States must have been stupid

[@Kayodoms]

A C nah you dumb as fuck bro