Professor Uses 'N-Word,' Student Shouts 'F-You,' 'Free Speech' Class Canceled at Princeton

Full title of Article: Professor Uses 'N-Word,' Student Shouts 'F-You,' 'Free Speech' Class Canceled at Princeton

Anthropology 212: Cultural Freedoms: Hate Speech, Blasphemy, and Pornography,” a course on freedom of expression at Princeton University has been “reluctantly” cancelled, Professor Lawrence Rosen informed his students in an email obtained by THE WEEKLY STANDARD. Rosen’s email, sent at 2:07 p.m. on February 12, went on to say “I think it only fair that you be free, before too much of the semester has passed, to move ahead in another course of your choosing.”

Now the title of the class (Anthropology 212: Cultural Freedoms: Hate Speech, Blasphemy, and Pornography) is pretty straight forward and IMO easy to understand that this type of discussion WILL happen. How can we begin to discuss hate speech if we cannot even say the words as part of the discussion. To open the debate on hate speech, the professor posed this question to the students...

“What is worse, a white man punching a black man, or a white man calling a black man a n****r?”

The response was immediately hostile, as could be expected on the street. But, this is a university and is supposed to be a center for higher learning and intellectual debate. To which his response was.....

And when Rosen was met with disagreement of his use of the N-word, and on his continued use of the term in the academic setting, he said, he would use it, “if I think it’s necessary.”

I would interpret that as meaning if he thinks it is necessary in the context of the discussion on hate speech within the class. However, it seems a few of the students were not interested in true free speech discussions, and threatened him with violence. At one point a student approached him and got in his face to shout, "F--- You!!" As that student was approaching the professor ...

...a female student of color had shouted at Rosen, as the first was approaching, “do you feel safe right now.”

So, even though we are prevented form using that word here in these private forums (for valid reasons we all agreed to abide by as members), is the use of that word in a non-homogeneous classroom setting, within a class about hate speech and free speech, acceptable?

Personally, I think it is just as appropriate as discussing the use of the word "cracker".

If we cannot discuss it, then how can we understand it?

I welcome civil debate of the issue, and hope we can avoid the same pitfalls that happened in this instance of the above class.

Without honesty, what do we have left?

a reply to: Krakatoa

this is very empowering

a reply to: Krakatoa

“cra____s” were not enslaved for 300 years and then made 2nd class citizens for another century.

Human beings have sensitivities beyond theories.


The idea of the class was stupid. There’s NO such thing as free anything in reality. The myth of western freedom is exposed.

Relative freedom, okay, but that’s about it.

So much for higher education....

The left is eating itself...

a reply to: Krakatoa

Then the class retreated to their safe space for some hot cocoa, coloring books, and Play-Doh.

originally posted by: Willtell
a reply to: Krakatoa

“cra____s” were not enslaved for 300 years and then made 2nd class citizens for another century.

Human beings have sensitivities beyond theories.


The idea of the class was stupid. There’s NO such thing as free anything in reality. The myth of western freedom is exposed.

Relative freedom, okay, but that’s about it.

Are you aware of the historic nature of the word "cra....s"? It refers to the slaves task master, that "cracked" the whip on them at the plantations. It refers to a man that sees a black person as some form of property and less than human. So much so he has no qualms about whipping that black person to within an inch of their life.

So, for someone to be called that name means that they are being compared or accused of being inhuman and cruel. Personally, I take offense to being called that just because of the color of my skin. Especially, when my ancestors going back 500 years were never involved or profited from the slave trade.

So, yeah, I see it as an equivalent racial slur. And inappropriate to be using in common speech just becuase of a person's skin color.

a reply to: Krakatoa

The right to offend has been infringed upon.

a reply to: Krakatoa

Well, if the class is about those things you say 'blasphemy, porn and hate speech' both parties are right to say what was said.

Maybe the teacher could use a different word instead of the N word but would it bring the same response anyway?

a reply to: Krakatoa

Look, I agree with you, that’s why I abbreviated the term. I don’t use it as I don’t and wouldn’t use any of these racial slurs.

Of course, actually, I agree they could be used clinically in a college setting.

But of course some people are sensitive, such as you and the cr_____ term. I respect that.

That’s the price they pay for “freedom”

The concept of the class was idiotic anyway.

What if someone brought in disgusting porn?


Many people would have been super offended.

Class, not a good idea.

originally posted by: TruthxIsxInxThexMist
a reply to: Krakatoa

Well, if the class is about those things you say 'blasphemy, porn and hate speech' both parties are right to say what was said.

Maybe the teacher could use a different word instead of the N word but would it bring the same response anyway?

Discuss yes, but to threaten violence? What do you think the comment "do you feel safe now?" meant as an angry man was approaching him?

I am all for the discussion and civil debate of all those topics. That is what is SUPPOSED to happen at that level of education. That is not indoctrination, it is an exchange of ideas and experiences. But threats of violence are not part of that calculus....and never should be either.

originally posted by: bigfatfurrytexan
Without honesty, what do we have left?

We have Political correctness.

Where we don't actually get to identify the root cause of issues and fix anything, out of fear of repercussions, However on a good note we get to act like we are actually doing a good thing in public until the situations escalates out of control.

originally posted by: Willtell
The concept of the class was idiotic anyway.

What if someone brought in disgusting porn?


Many people would have been super offended.

Class, not a good idea.

I disagree. It is a topic of social unrest that, IMO, truly needs to be discussed openly. Without the threats of violence. Will it upset some folks, sure....and that too is a topic for discussion.

Why are you upset?

What about (hate speech, blasphemy, pornography) upsets you?

Social commentary over the use of it within a smaller group of like minded individuals too.

Why is it wrong for a non-black person to say a word, yet OK for a person of color to say it?

Society is teaching these kids that words are more powerful than themselves instead of the other way around. Given the context, there is zero reason for this sort of behavior.

I took an ethics class in school, because I had to. It was a big waste of time that mostly taught us how to ethically justify terrible things. We discussed a bit of hate speech in that class. Words were used by both the teacher and students. Nobody cried or freaked out. This seems utterly ridiculous. People need to stop being babies about language and grow the # up.

All those hippies thought the world was always going to see things their way, since, being hippies, they always thought they were "right."

History is going to repeat, whether you learn its lessons or not.

a reply to: LesMisanthrope

I agree, as I said on the streets, it's different. This is a class about this exact topic. These students must have known as they had to register for the class. That makes me wonder if some of them signed up for the class to cause just this type of controversy and get it canceled intentionally.

I wonder if those same students would be as upset over other racial stereotype slurs based upon their national heritage or religious beliefs?

originally posted by: bigfatfurrytexan
Without honesty, what do we have left?

A pretty lie we all tell ourselves that everyone loves everyone else ... right up until the pent up aggression gets let loose and some group or other is put in the showers without water.

originally posted by: Willtell
The concept of the class was idiotic anyway.

What if someone brought in disgusting porn?


Many people would have been super offended.

Class, not a good idea.

Unless this class was required, then it shouldn't matter if you think it's a good idea or not. Electives are all about taking classes that fulfill requirements and interest you, not that everyone else thinks is a good idea.