Teen Use Of Racial Slurs Among Teens Not Surprising

Especially in light of the the fact that the use of the word fuck seems to be the foundation of teen communication and this foundation doesn't seem to diminish as they grow older. But let's not lose sight of the fact that racial slurs exist in all societies,
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Sad persistence of racial slurs
Dec. 12, 2006. 01:00 AM

It's like Michael Richards knew. He knew I was teaching Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird in my Grade 9 English class.

Maybe the comedian, widely known as Kramer from the popular Seinfeld TV series, thought that by going on his insane racial tirade he could help English teachers everywhere by giving them current material when discussing the subject of racism.

The ensuing discussion I had with my class on Richards' racist outburst was frank and honest but left me with more questions than answers.

Many students expressed the idea that Richards's gravest error was not making the comments in the first place, but making them in public.

Other students mentioned the fact that while the N-word was off-limits for most teens, racist terms denigrating those of Asian, South Asian and Middle East origin are used in the school's hallways on a daily basis.

Sometimes racist language is used in jest but at other times it may be used during bouts of anger (as Richards claims he did) or just as part of an ordinary conversation.

I was genuinely surprised and perturbed by the comments in the discussion.

I wondered how teens could use this language so casually. In 2006, isn't the message about racist language loud and clear? Shouldn't 14 and 15 year olds know better than to use racist language in their everyday vernacular?

Up yours........