Students demanded their head teacher apologizes after using a racial slur during a speech about Black history.
Speaking out about how times have changed in a speech during Black History Month, UK-based headmistress Samantha Price used the word ‘negro’ much to the outrage of students who started racial protests over the teacher’s choice of wording.
Following the speech of the Benenden School headmaster, senior students demanded that Price apologizes even though some parents backed the teacher saying it was important for young minds to understand the history of racial inequality.
After the pressure from her pupils, Price apologized for using the n-word and explained how she just wanted “to show how far language around black people has come since then.”
“The original name contains an offensive word and by using this word in this context I was attempting to show how far language around black people has come since then,” Price expressed.
“However, in hindsight I recognize it was not necessary to use the specific word and I accept that by using this word at all I have caused offense to some pupils. Clearly, this was never my intention and I unreservedly apologize for that error.”
While the students received the apology they wanted, some parents insisted that the headmistress shouldn’t have apologized for educating pupils about the historical use of the term.
As one anonymous parent told The Times, the teacher was only being honest by quoting a historical fact.
Another parent went on to defend Price by saying she probably just wanted “to promote education and debate” by presenting the word that was commonly used in the past.
“We live in a difficult age, with society trying to rationalize and deal with some of the very troubling aspects of human history,” the parent told the publication.
“Language and the use of certain words have certainly changed over time, but I am 100 per cent certain that Sam Price would not have used the word negro for anything other than to promote education and debate.”
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Replaced!