Princeton Professor Cancels Hate Speech Class After Backlash To N-Word
Princeton University Image by Flickr
By Ari Feldman February 15, 2018
A Princeton University professor cancelled a class on hate speech after his use of the n-word caused a group of students to walk out in the middle of class, the Associated Press reported.
Professor of anthropology Lawrence Rosen has taught the class for years, and has never had students leave the class after hearing the n-word or any other slur. The Daily Princetonian reported that the students left after Rosen asked the class, “Which is more provocative: A white man walks up to a black man and punches him in the nose, or a white man walks up to a black man and calls him (the racial slur)?”
Two students filed a complaint with the school. Rosen reportedly refused to issue an apology for his use of the word in class.
“I feel bad for the students who left the class not trusting the process,” said Carolyn Rouse, chairwoman of Princeton’s anthropology department. “Rosen was fighting battles for women, Native Americans, and African-Americans before these students were born. He grew up a Jew in anti-Semitic America, and recognizes how law has afforded him rights he would not otherwise have.”
Contact Ari Feldman at [email protected] or on Twitter @aefeldman
A message from our editor-in-chief Jodi Rudoren
We're building on 127 years of independent journalism to help you develop deeper connections to what it means to be Jewish today.
With so much at stake for the Jewish people right now — war, rising antisemitism, a high-stakes U.S. presidential election — American Jews depend on the Forward's perspective, integrity and courage.
— Jodi Rudoren, Editor-in-Chief
