Dr. Laura Schlessinger Apologizes and Quits Radio Show After N-Word Controversy

First Gays and now Blacks: Dr, Laura has done it again. Some people can be real stupid and I don’t totally blame her for her irresponsibity. First she offended the mass in the year 2000, by referring to homosexuality as a “biological error” and criticizing gays for their deviant behaviour.

So what’s the story: Recently, on her show, she was talking to one of her callers who identified herself as Jade. So Jade was complaining that her husband’s friends made various racist comments about her. She felt that the N-word was offensive and wanted to know Dr Laura’s opinion on this.

Now for the record, Jade is black and is complaining about her white husband and his friends who made racists comments about her.

Dr Laura replied that the N-word was just ok since most of the black people say it all the time. Dr uttered the N-word several times. Sources state that she said the word more than 11 times in her show. Although, she didn’t direct the epithet at the woman, thousands of her listeners found it offensive.

Moreover, Dr Laura felt that it was ok to utter the N-word for everyone. The caller objected but then Dr continued and said that she hears the word very often and most black comedians say the word every time.

The caller was not at all comfortable with the conversation and objected but Dr Laura continued, “Oh, then I guess you don’t watch HBO or listen to any black comedians. My dear, the point I am trying to make is that we have got a black man as president and we have got more complaining about racism than ever. I think that’s hilarious.”

Dr Laura Apologizes and Quits Radio Show

To cut this short, later the story went viral (thanks to Facebook and twitter) and people were shocked. A lot of her listeners posted harsh comments on various news sites and blogs; finally she realized what she had done was wrong so offered an apology on the air. Check out the video on the left. Aso check out the comments posted by her listeners below. There are both positive and negative remarks; Its just an extract from the source I found on the abc news website.

Comments on Dr Laura’s N-Word:

Source: http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/dr-laura-schlessinger-slammed-word-laced-rant/story?id=11394378&page=1

Seems like people take the N-word quite seriously . She also decided to quit her radio show; she said that on “Larry King Live”.

She said, “I want to regain my First Amendment rights,” she said. “I want to be able to say what’s on my mind and in my heart and what I think is helpful and useful without somebody getting angry, some special interest group deciding this is the time to silence a voice of dissent and attack affiliates, attack sponsors. I’m sort of done with that.”

What’s My Take?

First, I feel that Dr. Laura thinks that the N-word is rooted in American culture. When she said, “I want to be able to say what’s on my mind and in my heart and what I think is helpful and useful without somebody getting angry”–I do not think that saying the N-word 11 times on a radio show is helpful at all; it really doesnt make sense.

Anyways, I personally do not use the word and don’t think others should too. I still couldn’t find out why only the black people can say the N-word; it’s funny because I have several black friends calling me a N** and also some of them don’t mind me saying the word in their presence. So, should I say that these guys are cool black people because they let me utter the N-word or is it even appropriate for them to say the N-word to me since I am brown ?  There are lots of questions and debates that will go on and on. Everything is in our mind and what we believe in. I am still saying that I DO NOT SUPPORT saying the N-Word although it appears as a simple word to me.

According to wiki, the N-word is a racist word in British english but it is cultural in the Northern America ehh! It can be related to a ton of stuffs. Theres a lot of story behind it so google it.

When I asked a friend of mine who was half black and was in his mid-30s, he told me that the N-word shouldn’t be uttered at all but he knows how to say it in a positive way. Dude, really?? So, then I realized that it’s all in your mind and expression. The word can be said in various ways without considering it as racist but let’s face the facts.

I don’t know what freedom is, the one that people keep talking about. Using the N-word has nothing to do with freedom of speech. When we know that the N-word is not appreciated especially when a non-black person says it, we should avoid it at all cost. Is it that difficult? Thats the way how i roll.

What Dr Laura did was unacceptable. She misused her responsibility; she has over 8.25 million weekly listeners in more than 40 countries on more than 250 radio stations—this is ridiculously HUGE! It is so stupid to argue or say sh!t on the radio when you have that amount of followers. She was totally out of her mind but I am glad that she realized her mistake and offered an apology. As about quitting her job for this incidence; well it doesn’t really matter to me and I hope that she acts smart next time.

What We Can Learn From This

We can learn a very important lesson from this story. Never underestimate the power of social media. Dr. Laura is considered to be in the career suicide list after what she has done. Remember that a person becomes a celebrity when the media and the public makes him one. The same media and public can destroy the same status in a matter of time. “Dr Laura quits after N-word controversy” is the hot topic on google. This news is spreading like a plague and there is a high negative response from her listeners. Dr. Laura is not the only example and there are ton of other popular figures who unknowingly do stupid stuff and misuse their celebrity status.

If you are into social media, you have a huge responsibilty. Always remember: love everyone and they will love you back. Respect others and gain respect for yourself. Do not do or talk about stuffs that you like the most; try to find out what your audience want and solve their problem instead.

So, If “N” is just a Word then Why No N-Word?

If you still ask me; dude, please tell me, why can’t I use the N-word?—Well according to the mass and all the major sources, the N-word is considered racist.

You serious? But why?–I am sorry man, I am not a black or white. How about we both try to find out the answer on Big G. If you can come across a good source, please feel free to post it in the comments below.

Feel free to discuss and post your thoughts but please keep it clean and avoid profanity and irrelevant stuffs. I am not here to debate over the N-word. I just wanted to make a point that how social media influence can build your rep as well as destroy it in seconds.

Disclaimer: I am not a black nor a white but a brown (you can see my picture on twitter). The opinion portrayed on this post is mine and I have nothing against Dr. Laura, the black or the white community. I love you all. Feel free to share your views.