Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations
Watch Live

KPBS Midday Edition

SDSU professor reassigned over racial slurs in course about language, racism

San Diego State University is shown in this undated photo.
Emilyn Mohebbi
/
KPBS
San Diego State University is shown in this undated photo.

San Diego State University has been praised and criticized for its decision to reassign a professor who used racial epithets in a course about language and racism.

The San Diego Union-Tribune reported complaints from students who took issue with the use of racist language in an academic context led to the university's decision.

Following the decision, the Philadelphia-based civil rights group FIRE alleged that the University was violating the rights of the professor by reassigning him in the first place.

Advertisement

The issue highlights a growing tension on college campuses between academic freedoms, first amendment protections and concerns over cultural insensitivity.

The San Diego Union-Tribune Reporter Gary Robbins joined Midday Edition on Friday with more on the story.

  • San Diego State was praised and criticized for its decision to reassign a professor over racial epithets used in a course about language and racism. A Philadelphia-based civil rights group says SDSU violated the professor’s First Amendment rights.
  • The Metropolitan Transit System says ridership numbers have been on the upswing for months. Meanwhile, rental rates and home prices continue to climb in San Diego County, forcing many families and seniors out of traditional housing.