Some people, including the current Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, shouldn’t be permitted within a stone’s throw of Twitter. Last night veteran journalist and creator of HBO’s “The Wire” David Simon proved himself to be among them, particularly for this tweet about the irony of Sean Hannity’s being picked to moderate Trump’s upcoming Fox News town hall on “core issues and concerns surrounding African-Americans” that sparked a torrent of backlash:
Hannity my nigga! If they couldn't get Ta-Nehisi or Deray to host, then who but you on the pulse of black America? https://t.co/9hW7wpH4Ar
— David Simon (@AoDespair) September 20, 2016
His followers on Twitter, many of them in TV and journalism, were not happy with his statements:
I'm sorry, are you a white man explaining what is and isn't racist? Who made you arbiter?
— Caitlin 🍉 (@ThereWillBStars) September 20, 2016
David Simon is just another white person who thinks the difference between him and other white ppl is way greater than it really is
— yc (@yc) September 20, 2016
Simon doubled down in defense of his statement:
If context of its sarcasm on Sean Hannity being chosen interloctor to black voters is ignored, then yes, be enraged. Can't help.
— David Simon (@AoDespair) September 20, 2016
So is the interlocutor chosen to service the birther candidate to black voters. Hence the affront — and sarcasm.
— David Simon (@AoDespair) September 20, 2016
If you think this is racism rather than a sarcastic critique of the actual, you're a moron.
— David Simon (@AoDespair) September 20, 2016
Spelled with the A. Sarcasm on Sean Hannity used as interlocutor to black Americans? No. I'm good.
— David Simon (@AoDespair) September 20, 2016
I don't honestly agree. Use of the wrong racial vernacular was precise intended metaphor for use of wrong racial interlocutor.
— David Simon (@AoDespair) September 20, 2016
In context of its knowing misuse as an exact, intented metaphor for Hannity as the host to a discussion of black issues? Nah.
— David Simon (@AoDespair) September 20, 2016
Use of inappropriate racial veracular was EXACT metaphor for use of inappropriate racial medium by DT. Gotta stand on context.
— David Simon (@AoDespair) September 20, 2016
Sean Hannity jumps in with his two cents:
So the Lord Himself has made you the optimum interlocutor for the white fella who said the first black POTUS wasn't American.
— David Simon (@AoDespair) September 20, 2016
And cue the inevitable barrage of “The Wire” memes in response to Simon’s initial tweet:
David Simon out here using the N-word now. 😱😱 pic.twitter.com/PpFc24DUGu
— Patrick Quaife (@pquaife) September 20, 2016
