Jackie Mason in racism row after calling Obama a 'schvartze'

Washington, Mar 16 (ANI): Veteran comedian Jackie Mason has come under fire for calling U.S. President Barack Obama a 'schvartze', a controversial Yiddish phrase used to describe black people that is allegedly a racist slur.

The comment came during a performance at Feinstein in New York.

At least one member of the audience walked out after Mason called Obama a 'schwartza'.

The 72-year-old's use of the word has sparked a row over whether it's an offensive term - but the comedian is refusing to back down.

"I'm an old Jew. I was raised in a Jewish family where 'schwartza' was used. It's not a demeaning word and I'm not going to defend myself," Contactmusic quoted Mason, as telling TMZ.com.

"Chris Rock has told a lot more jokes about whites than I have against blacks. What about the demeaning words blacks say about Jews?

"If it's a racist society, the white people are the ones being persecuted because they have to defend themselves," he added. (ANI)