The Shortlist for Jan. 14

Quentin Tarantino Uses the N-Word at Golden Globes

Defending the intentions behind his "Django, Unchained" script, Quentin Tarantino stuck to his guns backstage at the Golden Globe Awards on Sunday, letting the "N"-word slip in the press room within one minute of his appearance there to discuss his Best Screenplay win. He sounded incensed by critics who have slammed him for having his characters – slaves and slave owners on a 19th Century plantation – use the term. "[They're] saying I should massage. They're saying I should whitewash. They're saying I should lie," he griped. In the weeks since the violent spaghetti Western's release, Spike Lee has led the charge against Tarantino, calling the film an example of modern-day blaxploitation. Meanwhile, other African-American actors have chosen to dodge the feud altogether. "Please no [N-word] questions," said Don Cheadle, who arrived in the press room right after Tarantino. "Black people questions are all right." (E!)

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