Obama uses N-word during interview about race relations in America

President Obama believes that society is not cured of racism, and he used the N-word during an interview to make that point.

"Racism, we are not cured of it," Obama said. "And it's not just a matter of it not being polite to say n**** in public. That's not the measure of whether racism still exists or not. It's not just a matter of overt discrimination. Societies don't, overnight, completely erase everything that happened 200 to 300 years prior."

The interview was conducted Friday by comedian Marc Maron for his WTF podcast and posted online Monday.

"I don't want to do an interview that's been done before," Maron said in the podcast before introducing Obama. "I want to connect with him as a person."

In addition to his belief that racism is not dead, the president expressed hope, saying that progress has been made.

"Progress is real, and we have to take hope from that progress, but what is also real is the march is not yet over," the president said. "And the work is not yet completed and then our job is to find in very concrete ways what more can we do."

They also discussed in-depth the president's views on gun laws in light of the tragedy in Charleston last week. It highlights the need for "basic, common sense gun safety laws" that the majority of gun owners support, according to the president. The president said he thought it was important to express this in his address in addition to the grieving process.

"Part of the point that I wanted to make was that it's not enough just to feel bad. There are actions we could take to make this less likely," the president said. "This is unique to our country. There is no other advanced nation on Earth that tolerates multiple shootings on a regular basis and considers it normal."

President Obama, though, said he believes that current public opinion must evolve before Congress will feel pressured to take legislative action.

"I don't foresee any real action being taken until the American public feels a sufficient sense of urgency," he said, "and they say to themselves, 'This is not normal. This is something we can change, and we're going to change it.'"

Maron is well known for his "WTF with Marc Maron" podcast, which he produces from his garage. He has interviewed hundreds of fellow comedians and actors over the last five years, including Louis C.K. and Amy Poehler.

ABC News contributed to this report.