Roland S. Martin definitely doesn’t like being called the N-word (or seeing/hearing anyone use it). For those not familiar with Martin, he’s a nationally syndicated columnist, commentator and analyst, working for news organizations including CNN and TV One.

Last night, the author of the new book, The First, had a heated discussion on Twitter with several members of Birmingham, AL’s online community after someone sent him a tweet using the N-word – one that has spilled over into parts of today’s stream.

There are several different opinions about how the debate should move forward (we’d even started working on an editorial), but this post written on Mo Better Truths probably sums up some of the opinions and feelings surrounding that conversation specifically (you’ll want to watch the videos included in the post) and the general situation as we prepare to enter 2011.

If you’ve got an opinion, we’d love to hear it.

Photo: Roland S. Martin. Courtesy of his official website.