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

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"The professor, a faculty member in History read from a historical document that used the 'N-word' repeatedly."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

Ramy Youssef and Elmo
@sesamestreet/Instagram

MAGA Is Predictably Melting Down Over Video Of Elmo Learning New Arabic Words For Arab American Heritage Month

A clip released by Sesame Street on Thursday, April 16, showed Elmo with Egyptian-American actor, comedian, producer, director, and Golden Globe winner Ramy Youssef to celebrate Arab American Heritage Month.

The 41-second video showed Youssef teaching Elmo the Arabic words "salamu alaykum" and "habibi."

Keep ReadingShow less
Nancy Sinatra; Donald Trump
Jim Spellman/WireImage; Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

Nancy Sinatra Fires Back At Trump With Four Powerful Words After He Uses Her Father's Song In Cryptic Post

Singer Nancy Sinatra, the daughter of the iconic crooner Frank Sinatra, criticized President Donald Trump after he posted a video featuring her father's version of the song "My Way" to Truth Social amid his ongoing war and negotiations with Iran.

"My Way," a song about an individual looking back on their decision to live life on their own terms, was one of the late Sinatra's signature hits. Trump posted a video of Sinatra singing the song with no comment or explanation.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of Pete Buttigieg; Donald Trump
@Acyn/X; Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Pete Buttigieg Explains Why Trump's AI Jesus Post Was So Offensive To Christian Conservatives In Viral Video

Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg condemned President Donald Trump for posting an AI-generated post depicting himself as Jesus Christ, describing it as "insulting" to both people's faith and their intelligence.

Earlier this month, the Pope criticized Trump's widely unpopular war in Iran and called on the world "to reject war, especially a war which many people have said is an unjust war, which is continuing to escalate and is not resolving anything."

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of Donald Trump
@atrupar/X

Trump Dragged After Gushing Over His Own Signature In Ultra-Cringey Viral Clip

President Donald Trump was super proud of himself after he signed an executive order to make certain psychedelic drugs more available to treat mental health conditions, taking an opportunity to boast about his own signature.

Trump's order approves $50 million in federal funding to expand access to certain therapies and directed the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to fast-track its review of drugs like psilocybin and ibogaine. He was joined by the likes of podcaster Joe Rogan and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in the Oval Office.

Keep ReadingShow less
Charlize Theron (left) responds to Timothée Chalamet’s (right) controversial comments about ballet and opera.
Steve Granitz/FilmMagic; Jamie McCarthy/WireImage

Charlize Theron Gives Timothée Chalamet A Blunt Reality Check About His Future After His Comments Insulting Ballet

Timothée Chalamet declaring that “no one cares” about ballet and opera was always going to age poorly. It just happened faster than expected.

Enter Charlize Theron, who didn’t just disagree—she flipped the whole argument, suggesting that while centuries-old art forms will endure, Chalamet’s own career may be far more vulnerable in the age of artificial intelligence.

Keep ReadingShow less