Dr. Laura apologizes for saying N-word on the air

Times Herald Record Middletown, NY ^ | 8/13/10 | Satff

[Impala64ssa]

LOS ANGELES – Talk radio host Dr. Laura Schlessinger has issued an apology for saying the N-word several times in an on-air conversation with a caller that she said was "hypersensitive" to racism.

Schlessinger said on her website Wednesday that she was wrong in using the word for what she called an attempt to make a philosophical point.

"I articulated the N-word all the way out — more than one time," Schlessinger said in comments from the opening of her radio show that she posted on her site. "And that was wrong. I'll say it again — that was wrong."

She said she "realized I had made a horrible mistake, and was so upset, I could not finish the show."

Schlessinger said she pulled herself off the air at the end of the hour.

During the exchange on Tuesday's show, Schlessinger said the woman who called herself Jade was too sensitive for complaining that her husband's friends made racist comments about her in their home.

When the woman asked if the N-word was offensive, Dr. Laura said "black guys say it all the time," then went on to repeat it several times.

Schlessinger did not direct the epithet at the woman, but said she used it to suggest how often she hears it, and that it should not automatically be cause for offense.

When the caller objected, Schlessinger replied: "Oh, then I guess you don't watch HBO or listen to any black comedians."

[AppyPappy]

Hey, I heard your mother was a prostitute.

Relax, it’s just a word.

[Palladin]

I think ole Doc Laura is getting senile.

However, her point was valid—that N-people call each other the N-word al the time. Even middle class N-people whom I know well. They say it in front of me, too.

[rabidralph]

LOL! Instant classic!

[APatientMan]

OMG Prostitute!!! Did you say PROSTITUTE??!!!! Time to riot in the streets!! I can’t believe you used the word PROSTITUTE!!! OMG!! You vile human being. If I ever hear the word PROSTITUTE again I’m going to start shootin’. No one should ever use that word - EVER!! You better just say P-word from now on or else...

[Palladin]

It is very silly in this day and age to be so hypersensitive about that one particular word.

I think from now on I’ll use the word my Jewish mother-in-law used when referring to African-Americans:

Schwarze!

[AppyPappy]

“Did you say PROSTITUTE??!!!! “

Relax. I’m sure you heard it a lot growing up.

OHHHHH......

[APatientMan]

LOL - Very good, neighbor.

[AppyPappy]

That’s a N word.

[AppyPappy]

There is nothing more cowardly than white people dropping racial slurs on the internet. Everyone’s a hero on the internet.

[whence911]

Given that my mother has been dead for 6 years, there must be some very strange people you’re running around with.

[GLDNGUN]

You mean people still tune into this show?

I used to be an avid listener. Tried to catch her show every day. She made a few unsettling comments regarding homosexuality that I conveniently ignored until one day when she took a call from a distressed young lady. The girl was in her early 20s and had been having a "relationship" with her female supervisor at work. The girl said she had also been in romantic relationships with men if I recall correctly. When Dr. Laura asked her what the problem was and why she was calling, the girl, nearly in tears said something like "I don't think I want to be gay!" Dr. Laura's response? She laughed at her and said something to the effect "Ha! I would like to be 6 foot tall, too! You can no more change your sexual identity than I can grow another foot!"

I could not believe the coldness with which Dr. Laura handled this caller. It seemed to Dr. Laura that if this girl had a single homosexual relationship, then despite whatever heterosexual relationships she has had, she's gay and there's nothing to do be done about it. Accept it. You're gay. I found her response absolutely repulsive. Dr. Laura had a chance to make a real positive impact on this girl's life and instead possibly destroyed it.

I haven't listened to her show since. I will never forget that call and Dr. Laura's response. I don't know what happened to Dr. Laura.

[ronnyquest]

"And what if an adult looked at a black person and said “You’re nothing but an n-word.”???? Would that be dicrimination?"

No, but it would be insulting.

[red tie]

Very good! lol

[csvset]

She has never apologized for any of her other rants.

Prolly just a stunt.

[RC2]

I agree but so is “honky” or any other slang word used to describe a nationality or race. There’s absolutely no difference but we are to sensitive to the N...word. Why?

[paulycy]

“but we are to sensitive to the N...word. Why?”

I don’t know for sure but Conservatives sure made the media and the pols sensitive to the word “tea baggers” didn’t we? And I’m very glad we did.

Must be sorta the same thing. Since words matter it makes sense that every once in awhile there are a few that are radioactive.

[ronnyquest]

Because it’s OK to insult and belittle white people. I hear “cracker” all the time used to deride whites, but that’s apparently politically correct. Call someone a nigger or spic, though, and you’re in for a rough time. The double standard of our litigious, politically correct culture of censorship has to end!

[brwnsuga]

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t use the word, but I’ll be damned if I let a white person get away with saying that word, near me or about me. Analogy alert: You have 5 brothers in your family and you all call each other a-holes. A kid up the street calls one of your brothers an a-hole. You beat the crap out of the kid. Moral: Members of the family can call each other whatever they like but outsiders CANNOT.

[chasio649]

Ok..so let’s just not say it where the family can hear. LOL

[brwnsuga]

That might be best for all involved.