Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

University Of Oklahoma Apologizes After Another Professor Uses N-Word During Class In Second Incident In Just Two Weeks

Make us preferred on Google

The University of Oklahoma is once again embroiled in controversy in less than two weeks after a second professor used a racial slur in class on Monday morning.

During her lecture, history professor Kathleen Brosnan issued a "trigger warning" to her students before reading aloud from a 1920's U.S. Senate document that repeatedly mentioned the N-word.


Earlier in February, Peter Gade—a Journalism Ethics and Democracy professor—equated the phrase "OK Boomer" with the N-word by uttering the actual word in front of the class.

President Joseph Harroz Jr., who had previously responded to the earlier incident, found himself penning yet another memo of apology.

@UofOklahoma/Twitter

"We are all weary of racially charged incidents occurring within our university community," wrote Harroz Jr., before explaining the professor's ill-advised class conduct.

"The professor, a faculty member in History read from a historical document that used the 'N-word' repeatedly."
"While she could have made the point without reciting the actual word, she chose otherwise."


The OU President continued:

"Her issuance of a 'trigger warning' before her recitation does not lessen the pain caused by the use of the word."
"For students in the class, as well as members of our community, this was another painful experience."
"It is common sense to avoid uttering the most offensive word in the English language, especially in an environment where the speaker holds the power."

The first time was disappointing enough.



People demanded proper leadership in order to prevent a perpetual problem.



It is simple as this:


In response to the fallout, all OC faculty, staff and administration members will undergo required diversity, equity and inclusion training.

Harroz Jr. added:
"While it is unfortunate that another incident would occur before we could roll out this action plan, we are resolute in addressing these matters with decisive action."

After being fed up over the two incidents involving professors using the racial slur, students responded by organizing a sit-in hunger strike at the university's administration building, Evans Hall, on Wednesday.

According to the student-run paper, the OU Daily, OU's Black Emergency Response Team held a protest demanding for the firing of Provost Kyle Harper "effective immediately."





Following the backlash, Brosnan apologized in a letter sent to The Daily by a student in her class and explained she never intended for her words to be hurtful.

"I am concerned that the words I quoted in class yesterday were hurtful. I want to apologize to all of you personally. Please know that this was never my intention."

Brosnan continued:

"By directly quoting a US senator, James Reed, I wanted all the students in class to recognize an ugliness in US history that is unfortunately still part of some students' lived experience."
"I also recognize that apologizing in advance for the offensive language and placing it in this historical context did not alleviate the injury. And for that I am deeply sorry."

Peter Gade, the journalism professor who made the comparison between "Ok Boomer" and the racial slur earlier in February stepped down for the rest of the semester and wrote a letter of apology to his students immediately following the incident.

He promised:

"I will strive to show you that I am an instructor and teacher who is trustworthy and respectful of all."

While apologies are admirable, all eyes will be on OU to witness the effectiveness of their "decisive action" plan.

More from Trending

Cher and Bob Mackie
Valerie Macon/AFP via Getty Images

Cher Leads Poignant Tributes To Iconic Fashion Designer Bob Mackie After His Death At 87

On September 14, designer Bob Mackie passed away. While he did design clothing collections and accessories available to the masses, Mackie was best known as an icon who designed for icons.

Tina Turner, Dolly Parton, Bette Midler, Elton John, and Diana Ross were among the legendary names Mackie designed for.

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Trump Epically Fact-Checked After Claiming More People Watched His GOP Midterm Convention Than NFL Opener

President Donald Trump was swiftly fact-checked after he claimed that his recent midterm convention "beat the NFL" in viewership, referring to the 2025-26 season kickoff game between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots.

Trump spoke for nearly two hours that night, with his address airing live on Fox News as well as the Nielsen-rated cable networks Newsmax and NewsNation.

Keep ReadingShow less
Stephen Colbert; Donald Trump
Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images; Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Stephen Colbert Had Hilarious Reaction After Being Asked About Trump Following Emmy Win

After taking home six Emmys, including for Outstanding Variety Series, comedian Stephen Colbert had the perfect reaction after he was asked if he thought that President Donald Trump got The Late Show canceled.

Colbert was approached backstage by Variety’s Ramin Setoodeh, who asked if Colbert believes his show "was canceled because of Donald Trump?” Colbert merely said, "What?" and turned instead to CNN’s Elizabeth Wagmeister.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kash Patel; Cory Booker
Win McNamee/Getty Images (left and right)

Cory Booker Compares 'Disgrace' Kash Patel To Failed Frat Boy In Epic Rant During Heated Senate Hearing

New Jersey Democratic Senator Cory Booker lost his patience with FBI Director Kash Patel during his testimony in the Senate on Tuesday and called him a "disgrace" while also reserving other pointed criticism toward Republicans as a whole.

Booker accused Patel of overseeing the "generational destruction of the nation's premier law enforcement agency" during testimony in which Patel claimed there is "no credible information" to prove the late financer, sex trafficker, and pedophile Jeffrey Epstein trafficked victims to anyone other than himself.

Keep ReadingShow less
Katie Dippold at Apple TV's Primetime Emmy Party Red Carpet held at Nya Studios West.
JC Olivera/Variety via Getty Images

Emmy-Winning 'Widow's Bay' Creator Went Viral Years Ago With Hilarious Halloween Photo—And Fans Are Obsessed

Forget lifting the curse on Widow’s Bay. After its night at the Emmys, Katie Dippold and company might want to keep whatever supernatural forces are working in their favor.

Apple TV’s horror-comedy premiered in April and stars Matthew Rhys as Tom Loftis, the mayor of a small island town off the coast of New England. Determined to transform Widow’s Bay into a tourist destination, Loftis presses ahead despite locals warning that its sleepy seaside charm comes with some decidedly sinister baggage.

Keep ReadingShow less