1 00:00:00,534 --> 00:00:03,669 Well it is a word that evokes many emotions in people. 2 00:00:03,669 --> 00:00:07,574 It is a derogatory racial remark that has divided people for many years. 3 00:00:07,574 --> 00:00:11,078 And a Jefferson County High School teacher has now received the longest suspension on record 4 00:00:11,078 --> 00:00:16,250 for calling a student the "n" word. WHAS 11's Defender, Renee Murphy, investigates 5 00:00:16,250 --> 00:00:20,985 what happened and why in this story you'll only see on 11. 6 00:00:20,985 --> 00:00:27,094 Valley Traditional High School is in the middle of a racial controversy right now. A teacher used the 7 00:00:27,094 --> 00:00:33,065 "n" word towards a student. The word is only 6 letters long but the impact is far-reaching. 8 00:00:33,065 --> 00:00:36,603 And we do want to warn you that some of the language in this story is strong 9 00:00:36,603 --> 00:00:40,171 and it may offend you, it may offend some other people. 10 00:00:40,171 --> 00:00:43,310 But since this story is not just about the "n" word, it's also about the teacher's intent 11 00:00:43,310 --> 00:00:49,383 and definition of the word, we have decided to leave it in the story for you to decide. 12 00:00:49,383 --> 00:00:52,941 >> And what did he say specifically to you? 13 00:00:52,941 --> 00:00:54,688 >> Sit down, nigger. 14 00:00:54,688 --> 00:00:59,326 Keysean Chavers is a freshman at Valley High School, a Boy Scout, a football player, 15 00:00:59,326 --> 00:01:02,596 a member of the ROTC, an honor roll student. 16 00:01:02,596 --> 00:01:07,663 He was hanging around his teacher’s classroom door in December. The teacher, told him to sit down. 17 00:01:07,663 --> 00:01:11,963 And the teacher says that Keysean used the "n" word first. 18 00:01:11,963 --> 00:01:20,016 >> And I, just kind of was stunned a second, well, well, well then get away from the door - nigga! 19 00:01:20,016 --> 00:01:27,446 And I was just, I repeated the same insult because that's sort of what I've been trained to do! 20 00:01:27,446 --> 00:01:32,259 The school district says that is not what they trained English teacher, Paul Dawson, to do. 21 00:01:32,259 --> 00:01:37,197 >> He tried to say I said it and for some, and I didn't say it and no one else 22 00:01:37,197 --> 00:01:40,434 in the class knows that I said it, 'cuz I didn't. 23 00:01:40,434 --> 00:01:44,583 Documents from the school investigation show that several of the students interviewed 24 00:01:44,583 --> 00:01:49,910 from Valley, did not hear Keysean say the "n" word first. Dawson says that students use 25 00:01:49,910 --> 00:01:53,685 the slang version of the "n" word at Valley High School all the time. 26 00:01:53,685 --> 00:02:03,502 He says "n-i-g-g-e-r" is a racial slur but says that students use "n-i-g-g-a" as often as they'd say "dude" 27 00:02:03,502 --> 00:02:09,096 or "hey man". And Dawson says as much as he does not like the word, he still used the slang version 28 00:02:09,096 --> 00:02:12,332 to feel more comfortable with black students. 29 00:02:12,332 --> 00:02:22,245 >> Why is this word used so frequently, so - I just, I just don't understand it and I'm trying 30 00:02:22,245 --> 00:02:33,112 to understand it. I need help. Yes, I use nigga, I, I've used it. I admit it. I put the "h" on it 31 00:02:33,112 --> 00:02:39,860 to emphasize "nigg-ahhh". You know, nigga, nigga this, nigga, nigga please! Nigga! 32 00:02:39,860 --> 00:02:43,886 Ya'know, can you lend a nigga a pencil? 33 00:02:43,886 --> 00:02:47,504 >> What kind of example are you setting for your students if you use a word 34 00:02:47,504 --> 00:02:50,237 that you don't want them to use? 35 00:02:50,237 --> 00:02:53,082 >> Upon reflection, that's not good. 36 00:02:53,082 --> 00:02:58,840 >> Dawson was suspended for 10 days without pay from January 9 to January 23, 37 00:02:58,840 --> 00:03:03,020 and he has to go to Diversity Training. He says that he's learned from this experience 38 00:03:03,020 --> 00:03:06,386 and hopes that others think twice before using the "n" word. 39 00:03:06,386 --> 00:03:13,283 >> I am cured! I will never say any form of nigga. Ya'know, I am cured of that. 40 00:03:13,283 --> 00:03:18,432 >> Paul Dawson says that he is sorry for the way things were handled but Keysean says 41 00:03:18,432 --> 00:03:21,693 that he is not looking for any apologies. 42 00:03:21,693 --> 00:03:25,404 >> Apologizing isn't going to change the fact that it happened and he's not been punished. 43 00:03:26,496 --> 00:03:29,072 >> And punishment in your mind is? 44 00:03:29,072 --> 00:03:33,066 >> Him not having his job anymore. 45 00:03:33,066 --> 00:03:37,542 Paul Dawson says that he wants there to be a steadfast policy 46 00:03:37,542 --> 00:03:42,004 in Jefferson County Public Schools against people using the "n" word. 47 00:03:42,004 --> 00:03:46,193 Right now when it is brought up, it is dealt with on a case by case basis with the district. 48 00:03:46,193 --> 00:03:50,898 And we should mention that Keysean is still in Paul Dawson's classroom. Dawson has been 49 00:03:50,898 --> 00:03:55,961 with the district for 20 years and Keysean is still in that classroom because Dawson 50 00:03:55,961 --> 00:04:00,474 is an Honors English teacher, there are very few Honors English classes, so he is still with him. 51 00:04:00,474 --> 00:04:03,310 Well, now he was suspended for awhile but is he back teaching? 52 00:04:03,310 --> 00:04:08,593 He is back teaching now, and he still does have his job but this is not the first time that Paul Dawson 53 00:04:08,593 --> 00:04:13,515 has been suspended from Jefferson County Public Schools. Coming up at 5:30 we'll tell you 54 00:04:13,515 --> 00:04:18,531 what happened before, we'll tell you about his plan to appeal the suspension, and why the district 55 00:04:18,531 --> 00:04:20,528 says that he should keep his job. 56 00:04:20,528 --> 00:04:22,829 Thank you very much. I'm sure we haven't heard the last of this. 57 00:04:22,829 --> 00:04:23,997 Oh no, lots more to come. 58 00:04:23,997 --> 99:59:59,999 Thank you.