The only way you can use that racial slur and not be aware of it is if you use that slur so often as to not recall using it

That is entirely possible. Sadly (or maybe not) @!$%# is becoming a pop culture word used by black people and white people. I knew a guy in the Army (white) who would drop this word about 50 times a day, sometimes in reference to white people.

Thank you! I'm black and have friends of various backgrounds but none of them would ever use that term to reference people of my race.

yeah, that's gotta be one of the lamest come-backs/ excuse I've ever heard. First he didn't even realize he typed it, and then surprise that anyone would think someone using that word might be racist. Doesn't seem very smart, and is even worse at lying and bull@!$%#ting...

glad he got caught. If you can't say something in front of everyone than you probably shouldn't be saying it. And I seriously doubt he talks like that in front of his "amazing black friends"...

Ah, the old "I'm not racist, look at my black friend" screed. I like Stephen Colbert's take on it. He went on and on about how he was colorblind, and had a great picture of him over-emoting with his arm around a black guy, and called that guy his black friend. He made out like that was the only black friend he had, and it became a running gag.

Seriously, how stupid do you have to be to think that just because you have _____— friends, you cannot be racist?

saying the word could be a slip of the tongue. However, typing it requires thought or in this case lack of thought.

ahhh yess...the old "i have black friends so i'm can't be racist" come back. that my friend, means that you are. dropping the n-bomb all willy nilly without realizing that you did it means that you use it so much that it's become a normal part of your vernacular. wonder how many "amazing black friends" you have now.

Anyone who uses the N word is definitely a racist or spends a lot of time with one. That word doesn't even exist in the vocabulary of most intelligent people.

julia -"Anyone who uses the N word is definitely a racist or spends a lot of time with one."

So the majority of black rappers and black inner city youth are racist?

I wouldn't know about that.

The intelligent people I know do not use this word as an adjective to describe anyone, even in anger.

Perhaps alcohol helped bring out his true ignorance. He didn't remember.

my white son and his white AND black friends call each other the "n" word all the time. they use it as a term of friendship. if your one of their "niggars" then you belong to their group. but i don't think this is what this guy was doing. it was most definitely a racial slur. when will people ever learn that if you post online the world will see

Use the word and we know what you are. Good point about his AMAZING friends that aren't "friends" on FB.

sickandtired- Then maybe his parents should be smart enough to school him, and tell these kids that using the n-word is offensive to 99% of the country! I mean seriously do you let your son, and his friends use foul language also?

Interesting comments but let me ask two questions..

First...suppose if the comment was from a black person instead of a white person...would that person still have been suspended and called a racist?

Second...suppose the coach was black and made a racist remark about a deceased popular white singer..would that person still have been suspended and been called a racist?

5 minutes of BET, VH1, MTV, or a Comedy Central movie would make one think that the dreaded N word is an everyday word. The only way blacks in this country are going to get rid of the n word is to stop using it themselves. Until then they need to look within to see the reason why this word is still widely used.

This dude is a moron, but come on new jersey half-staff for a singing drug addict.

A woman died from drug addiction and depression alone in a bathtub. She happened to mean a lot to a lot of people.

I don't think he would like someone calling one of his kids names after they died. She was someone's kid.

He looks like an ignorant a$$, so he needs to pay his dues for being an ignorant a$$ and move on. His life is by no means "ruined". Her life, however, is.

I am not a racist is the motto for racists. hehe

sean336944 -

The word is not an adjective. It's a noun. Perhaps he can use the year to take an English course at a local JC.

"An adjective modifies a noun or a pronoun by describing, identifying, or quantifying words."

In the way the N word was used, it preceded the name Whitney Huston. That classifies it as a descriptive adjective.

Maybe you need an English course.

JK1963 - A black person never would have used that word in that context in the way this ignorant man did. Your question really has no point.

First Amendment of the Constitution:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Why was a man suspended from coaching for one year because of what he said on Facebook?

Did he break a law?

---- or was he exercising his Constitutionally given right?

So, OneJulia,

You're saying black people are not intelligent?

You're losing this argument faster than Santorum is losing the respect of the Dutch!

The only way you can use that racial slur and not be aware of it is if you use that slur so often as to not recall using it

That is entirely possible. Sadly (or maybe not) @!$%# is becoming a pop culture word used by black people and white people. I knew a guy in the Army (white) who would drop this word about 50 times a day, sometimes in reference to white people.

Republic!, for someone who is so attuned to pop culture, you're really missing the point. Look at the manner in which this man used the word. In its pop culture sense, the n-word can mean "dude," "brother," "friend," or just a male. Using the word in anger toward a female celebrity that you don't have any connection with, and as an adjective at that, is entirely separate from its pop culture usage. This is KKK hard-core racist type of usage.

"julia -"Anyone who uses the N word is definitely a racist or spends a lot of time with one."

So the majority of black rappers and black inner city youth are racist?"

Yes. Majority of all people are.

Just because someone has the right to his free speech (he does) doesn't require the organizations he works for or represents to be associated with his (offensive) free speech.

You really expect me to believe that, Kat?? People say all sorts of things "in the moment" regardless of their skin color and that certainly doesn't excuse his behavior. But to qualify that "never" doesn't seem reasonable.

Hungry Mongoose,

Unfortunately, hate speech is against the law. Maybe not how this guy used it, and you do have a valid argument, but if you've noticed our first ammendment rights are being stripped slowly but surely. There is now a bill going through somewhere that makes lying a crime, punnishable by law. This scares me.

Hungrymongoose, he did not break a law, but neither did the organization break a law by suspending him. If he is in their eyes a bad representation of their group, then of course they can suspend him, fire him, and make sure that he never works with them again. Constitutional rights have nothing to do with representing yourself poorly and then expecting no consequences. Who are you, Hank Williams, Jr.?

This arguement/discussion, depending on how heated the posters get has been the same merry go round for almost 30 years. As a middle aged gay white male who grew up in the privledged group at Lake Tahoe in the 70s there is very little personal agenda for me to be one way or the other. My parnets came from the Ozarks of S.W. Missouri but moved to Californiashortly before my birth in their early 20s. Many of my aunts and uncles use the word @!$%# (not to be confused with nigga which I have some to say about later). None of my aunts or uncles are of low intellegence, some with IQs above 140 and 160 so intellegence isn't necesary a common excuse for using such loaded vocabulary. There are very few minorities in that area historically and the various NATIONALITIES have stayed segregated. Swedes like in the Verona area, germans in the Friestat area, poles around Carthage etc. Now most ofMom's family are up in arms about mexicans taking over their nice white northern european enclaves and don't seem to realize that they are behaving ina racist manner which saddens me greatly.

Dad's brothers are geniuses by IQ tests, and actually openly told me to my face (I happen to live in a predominately black neighborhood transitioning to Hmong/white/black) that "@!$%#" is not an offensive word! His justification was that words don't cause bruises or bleeding plus THEY call each other that all the time! I pointed out to his ignorant cracker peckerwood ass (Yes I used those words to his face in front of the other uncles who have done the same) that, unlike him, I am around black people daily as neighbors and I assured him that it is EXTREMELY offensive and by the way, the word used amongst themselves is "Niggah". after about a 20 minute lecture the one uncle contended that he hadn't thought about it that way but later also found out he didn't consider what I said inportant since I am his faggot nephew. He and his sons are pedophiles. He and one of his brothers are acoholics, one of his sons and the son of the other alcoholic are meth heads. All of them, including my father are male chauvanists as well as emotionally reptillian as was their father, a racist (KKK and/or John Bircher) fundamental Methodist minister. The youngest uncle (my age) only had girls who he trained not to think only to be his slave and they have married lazy assed men like their Army Captain father. These type of people are common outside of our urban areas and are what minorities have to deal with. They aren't SOCIALLY intellegent enough to understand we taking control of words such as @!$%# to niggah, using dyke as a rhyme as in "Dikes on Bikes" etc to attempt to diffuse the hate in these terms and that usage is meant as an inside term with a lot of restrictions on that usage.

If this man were just a restaurant or other business owner, no big deal, boycott his business but people like this have no place in public positions, ESPECIALLY being around and teaching children

In regards to Whitney Houston and NJ lowering flags to half mast. 1. There has been NO official cause of death announced. 2. Even if she died from a drug OD, so have MANY servicemen and in neither case does that diminish their accomplishments though most likely they would have accomplished MORE had they not had their addictions. 3. It is fairly common to lower the flag for exceptional citizens whose accomplishments were not military. Miss Houston was a once in a generation talent both singing and acting not to mention her charity work. For all we know she was clean of cocaine and other illicit drugs but she has always been in denial about alcohol being involved in her addiction which is common since booze is legal and all but mandatory when entertaining. Like Karen Carpenter, the process of recovery may have been too much for her damaged body, we do not know yet and judging at THIS point is nothing but bigotry. The ONLY excuse for the level of vitrol spewed about tributes to Whitney Houston is racism and the belief by white supremists that blacks have no control over their sexuality nor their use of booze and other chemicals. It is shameful that the atmosphere in the United States has back slid over the past 12+ years to the attitudes of the 1930s

onejulia said:

sean336944 -

The word is not an adjective. It's a noun. Perhaps he can use the year to take an English course at a local JC.

"An adjective modifies a noun or a pronoun by describing, identifying, or quantifying words."

In the way the N word was used, it preceded the name Whitney Huston. That classifies it as a descriptive adjective.

Maybe you need an English course.

Be very cautious about throwing around suggestions to take an English course when you are not very good at English. Here is the original quote, parsed out in a rough way, I hope mostly correctly (pretty sure that the identification of the noun and appositive at the end are correct):

“I’m so sick of reading about this dumb stupid N - - - - - Whitney Houston"

The words are, in order: I [subject] am [part of verb phrase] so [adverb modifing "sick"] sick [end of verb phrase] of [preposition] reading [gerund, object of presposition "of"] about [preposition] this [demonstrative pronoun] dumb [adjective modifying the "n" word] stupid [adjective modifying the "n" word] "N-----" [noun, object of the preposition "about"] Whitney Houston [appositive--repeats the meaning of the "N-----" word].

So, yeah, sean was right. Have a great day.

Hate Speech is not against the law, although many would like it to be. It is against the law in Canada and Europe, but not in the US, thank goodness. The leftest jerks who want to make lying against the law have never heard of the Constitution and are in the process of shredding it through the use of hate crime laws. I find it strange that a Congressperson wants to make lying illegal, of all people. Despite this type of speech not being illegal that still doesn't mean it's not Unethical. Anyone who uses the N word deserves whatever type of criticism the public can dish out. As far as lowering the flag in New Jersey, that was WRONG. A State should never lower a flag to half-staff for a regular Citizen, no matter how famous they are, we have awards for people like her. Flags should only lowered for Statesmen, Public Servants and Military Heroes. While Whitney Houston was a great singer with a wonderful voice, she never was an elected representative of the public, nor did she die in service to her Country. Lowering the Flag for a drugged out entertainer who took her wonderful talent and threw it away because of drugs and alcohol is wrong. And Yes the results of her tests are mostly in and she died of a mixture of alcohol and drugs, the only part not settled is the types narcotics in her system. Regardless of all this if this Coach used the N word in reference to Houston was a racist who should have been fired period.

Albert Capone, answer this question: Which party has repeatedly made efforts to make flag desecration a crime? It's not the Democrats, and it's not leftists. In fact, Republicans not only want it to be a crime, they want to amend the Constitution to stop it from happening.

hungrymongoose:

Just because this sports organization president has the RIGHT to say something, doesn't mean he should. Sometimes, we need to use our common sense to decide whether something is appropriate. Just as the sports president has the right to say what he wishes, the organization he represents has the right to determine whether he should be in a position of influencing children.

Hungrymongoose,I see that you have read the constitution or heard someone say that,now go find someone that understands what he or she reads and have them explain what it really means .

Actually, onejulia, it is you who needs the English course.

The word as it was used on the coach's facebook page is not an adjective--it is an appositive in that it renames the proper noun--as in "that girl, Sally Franks" or the mayor, Joe Blow.

English refresher courses available for free online.

People, read Elfangle carefully. While the racists are all up in arms over this, the pedophiles among them continue unabated. There is a sickening culture of multigenerational pedophilia and incest that underpins the patriarchial dictatorial christian culture in America, from the Appalachia to the Heartland. I'm so glad Elfangle got away from them.

The coach is just an idiot and it clearly hasn't worked well for him. Maybe he'll get a clue now, maybe his "amazing" friends will enlighten him.

beanathome, you're my new hero. Nerd love at first read.

Although the guy has little to no social sense, he was simply exercising his rights guaranteed him by The United States Constitution.

For society to dictate what one may or may not write is called censorship. And it is only a stone throw away from dictating what one may, or may not, think.

May I suggest, If you don't like what someone writes on Face Book? Don't read it.

I can't believe he went the "I'm not racist...I have black friends!" route.

I was at the mall yesterday and heard a store employee on his cell phone using the word over and over. Yes he was black, but it is either inappropriate to use the word or it isn't. I am sick of the double standard.

No, FB has nothing to do with it. This is another reason for him to reevaluate his racism and become a better man.

Another reason to not mouth off like an idiot. Facebook has nuthin' to do with it.

another reason to remember that nothing you put on facebook is truly private.

Facebook is not your personal diary. Wanna write dirty little rants, do it in the dark, and alone. Then you can get on back in the closet while you hang out coaching kids and having amazing friends.

You're putting this on FB let's others assume you were sharing with like-minded 'friends', as that is the platform.

It's best you stay the hello away from coaching kids, as that also is a 'community' medium for communiction, and you say things which you're unaware.

Of course the ol' saying is true, if you don't want people to know about something, you definitely don't put it in writing. But, with all these stories of teachers and coaches doing this stuff you can't help but wonder where are the "smart" people who are supposed to be teaching our kids. If these people are representative of the educators, then it's no wonder our kids are struggling to learn. This guy shouldn't be re-hired anyway. He's already proven he's not smart enough to be a teacher to the kids.

facebook is a "social" website.......Why would you think anything posted socially is private?

"another reason NOT to use facebook....."

Or post comments on msnbc.com...

thank you for that post. I know when I post something on FB all my FB friends are going to see it. Sometimes I post things for that very reason. I piss some people off, but I feel strongly about things.

I also know that there are some things that you just don't post. That is what private messages are for.

If this guy is that stupid, he doen't need to be around children.

What mary52 was saying was just a note to self. She must use the n-word all the time.

monkeymonkey--for heaven's sake, saying that one should not use Facebook doesn't mean that it is "Facebook" that is the culprit. It means that posting something on Facebook that you wouldn't want your supervisor to read or for everyone on the planet to read is a stupid thing to do.

There are a lot of things I might say (and have said)--and none involve using the "n" word--that I wouldn't want my supervisor to see, as I am far from being tactful at all times. If I had a Facebook account, I would treat it like a personal website that anyone who might in the future employ me would have ready access to. This is why I don't have an account--if you aren't using it to communicate privately with close friends, why bother?

beanathome- I think monkeymonkey was being sarcastic.

David I agree with you that hopefully this will turn into something good for him. The problem it seems is there in no forgiveness from people. We are very quick to condemn a person in this age of technology.

Yeah, I don't think one 'accidently' uses that word unless it is part of their normal vocabulary. I've never used that word, and its never once popped in my head to use as an 'adjective'.

EXACTLY.. because if I was one of those "Amazing Black Friends." I would eliminate the friendship immediately. That's not just a slip of the tongue.. that's exactly what's in his heart!

It's well established that a person can be legally fired for comments they make on Facebook and other social media. This is not in dispute. Your freedom of speech as an American does not remove you from the repercussions of that speech. If you doubt this, go openly speak ill of your boss and see how long you keep your job. This guy deserved what he got, because he chose to attack an entire race in the name of whining about one person. You aren't required by law to be nice, and there's no law against being a racist, either. But both will generally help you acquire and keep a job, friendships and so on. If your need to display your "right" to be a jerk outweighs your need to have friends and employment, then by all means, go exercise those rights and accept the expected results.

Wonder if you realize your (flawed) logic..? "WAY TOO MUCH coverage"... then "You don't like it, don't read it."

Your comment on the "riots and looting" is pretty transparent as well.

so, this guy USES his freedom of speech. big deal. hell, black people use the "N' word to each other. so, what's the big deal. get over it and move on. 'nuff said.

I happen to agree it was too much and I started ignoring or turning it off since because I am sorry for her problems and loss, and I loved some of her songs, but it became a circus.

BUT...and this is the relevant part...it never occurred to me to call her names. It never crossed my mind to call her a racial slur, and if that was such a common part of my vocabulary that I didn't notice I typed it I wouldn't be dismissing it, but instead thinking about how I speak and think. It was inappropriate and uncalled for, so I'm glad he is getting consequences.

Yes he deserve to be taken off the job. HE'S COACHING CHILDREN! What kind of role model is he for kids?

It seems that some people don't really have a grasp of how situation inflects the use of a word.

If I saw an old and very good friend whom I have not seen in a long time, and we have a good enough relationship where I can say this, I might say "Hey, old woman!" If a server then comes up to the two of us and asks us what we would like to drink and then says to a colleague, "The old women at Table 4 want water," I would take great offense at the server's choice of words.

A word does not have just one meaning and being acceptable in one set of circumstances doesn't make it acceptable in all--a term used jokingly or in an "in-group" way between friends is one thing, the same term used by others not of the group and as a slur is a different thing. If you don't happen to be black, but really are a close enough friend to someone who is black that s/he would come up and jokingly refer to you as a fellow "n" word (and I have seen this), then you probably could (though you might want to be cautious) use the term yourself as you would be part of the in group. All of you, however, would be better off not using the term in public and certainly never in a formal or professional setting.

Have a great day.

Amen, Kinjiru, you spoke the heart of what is supposed to be keeping us 'civilized' as humans. Too bad so many people seem to be forgetting what it means anymore, like this man. Just because we CAN say a thing, doesn't mean we SHOULD.

It can be used as an adjective.

LOL-- cleverly humorous grammar lesson...:)

In the given sentence, the "n" word is a noun. One could use it as a modifier the same way "man" (also a noun) can be used as a modifer: "man-cave." By itself, however, it is a noun.

I think it's pretty hilarious for Dolly Parton. Whitney Houston sh*t is selling like mad, and Dolly's making millions cause she wrote "I will always love you".

Maybe Dolly will have enough money now that she won't have to make anymore movies with that talentless hack queen latifah!

I have read on a lot of these posts where ppl say good riddance to a crackhead or something of that nature. How insensitive and unfeeling is that of another HUMAN BEING! There are many celebrities that have succumbed to drug and or/alcohol addiction (black and white individuals). Whitney is not the first and unfortunately she will not be the last. Amy Whinehouse, being an example who passed less than one year ago. She has overcome drugs before only to return. Why? Because alcohol and drug addiction are DISEASES that will take the rest of your life to "control". Not overcome, but control. Ask any drug counselor or mental health professional. I applaud anyone who has gone years and years of staying clean. It is a tough fight! So Whitney fell off the wagon a couple of times! Doesn't make her a bad person. I know because my husband is a recovering addict and I know what he goes through.. But regardless of that there are also many celebrities who have passed away and has been given tremendous coverage similar or exactly as that of Ms. Houston. Some where not black. Did this same guy display the same distate for their publicity as he did for Ms. Houston? I wonder...In any event, we are HUMANS not black humans, not white humans and certainly not N _____s! That's not how we are viewed by the One who created us. Like someone on here said, we as black people need to eliminate that word from their vocabulary then there will be no excuse for others to say "You ppl say the word, what is the problem if we say it?

It's pretty obivious uncleb you're just itching to use the n word or some other series of expletives over and over to refer to any non WASP, but probably have just a couple more IQ points over the smuck in this article so it doesn't quite come out.

We call it the "n-word" (or, the "Southern pronunciation of the word negro") for the same reason that we say "f-word." In a quote, one can repeat the term or one can abbreviate it in order not to be offensive, in the same way that using the "f-word" in some contexts (whether one is quoting or not) would be offensive.

The "n-word" is a noun. Any noun (like "Ray Brock") can be used as a modifier: "That's so Ray Brock." The "n-word" is also a verb--well, it was when I was a child: to "n-word" it up. It meant something close to "pimp it out."

When a word offends, we generally abbreviate it (BS, for example). It's not an uncommon practice.

But you are singing along to his songs. I don't personally see that as the same as calling someone you never met a nasty name.

But you make a point. It gets confusing when people use it in songs and say it so often, but only certain people are allowed to say it or it is considered racist. I don't use it and don't plan to...but then I wouldn't listen to songs with it in them because I don't like the word. Seems to me if the word isn't a very nice one it isn't whether he uses it or I do, or the coach did.

Not ALL African Americans call or refer to themselves "N". This is an out of controlled generation that has not clue about their history. They're out to make money and sell records. Doesn't make it right. I'm African American and I NEVER use the word. It's offensive and derogatory. This man coaches children which is really interesting. How is he really looking at children of color? One has to wonder.

Thanks for you comment Ron. You really seem like a reasonable person. But I have to share something with you as an Entertainer. Whitney Houston broke racial barriers in the music industry. In the 70-80's if you were a Black Female..they wanted you to be very light complexion and no matter how you sound they threw you in the R&B section. This hurt many artist such as Tina Turner, Mother's Finest and such. They were really tradition ROCK groups that were African Americans. Whitney like Michael J. pioneer the industry. Michael refused to be on MTV unless they had other Black groups because MTV had refuse to even play Black Performers Videos. Videos was the new thing for branding and selling music. Then Whitney was able to do the same thing. Unfortunately this country looks at race before talent. Her entire personal life wasn't a total wreck she helped a lot of upcoming artist in the industry. She produce the first film where a little Black girl was able to see a Black Princess. Help promote the gospel group the "Winans". Many....Many contributions. ... but those are just a few that most of America doesn't even realize. But we as entertainers knew about.. But once again if you don't like it.. turn the channel just as you stated. ...

Parris, what a really nice tribute to Whitney. I wasn't a huge fan, but I was a fan. I was shocked and heartbroken when it was announced that she was found dead. I felt compelled to, and did, watch the homegoing service held for her. It was my first experience into a black service and let me just say that it was one of the most beautiful services that I have ever been witness to. I laughed and I cried. I watched the entire service and I sobbed and sobbed as Whitney was being carried down the aisle. I also found the service very informative about Whitney's life and what she accomplished for herself and the barriers that she broke for future black performers. It sickens me that anyone would define her life as filled with drugs and alcohol and discount her amazing achievements and her kindnesses. This is totally off topic, but I just really haven't read anything as moving as what you wrote, so thank you for that. And, let us all remember, the toxicology reports aren't even back yet, so to jump to conclusions is just jumping to conclusions.

Sad that in the year 2012, racial slurs are alive and well. Bet the Coach doesn't have any more "amazing Black friends..." LOVE when ignorance bites. May Whitney RIP and her family heal.