WEBVTT 00:00:00.534 --> 00:00:03.669 Well it is a word that evokes many emotions in people. 00:00:03.669 --> 00:00:07.574 It is a derogatory racial remark that has divided people for many years. 00:00:07.574 --> 00:00:11.078 And a Jefferson County High School teacher has now received the longest suspension on record 00:00:11.078 --> 00:00:16.250 for calling a student the "n" word. WHAS 11's Defender, Renee Murphy, investigates 00:00:16.250 --> 00:00:20.985 what happened and why in this story you'll only see on 11. 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 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. 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 00:00:36.603 --> 00:00:40.171 and it may offend you, it may offend some other people. 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 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. 00:00:49.383 --> 00:00:52.941 >> And what did he say specifically to you? 00:00:52.941 --> 00:00:54.688 >> Sit down, nigger. 00:00:54.688 --> 00:00:59.326 Keysean Chavers is a freshman at Valley High School, a Boy Scout, a football player, 00:00:59.326 --> 00:01:02.596 a member of the ROTC, an honor roll student. 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. 00:01:07.663 --> 00:01:11.963 And the teacher says that Keysean used the "n" word first. 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! 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! 00:01:27.446 --> 00:01:32.259 The school district says that is not what they trained English teacher, Paul Dawson, to do. 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 00:01:37.197 --> 00:01:40.434 in the class knows that I said it, 'cuz I didn't. 00:01:40.434 --> 00:01:44.583 Documents from the school investigation show that several of the students interviewed 00:01:44.583 --> 00:01:49.910 from Valley, did not hear Keysean say the "n" word first. Dawson says that students use 00:01:49.910 --> 00:01:53.685 the slang version of the "n" word at Valley High School all the time. 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" 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 00:02:09.096 --> 00:02:12.332 to feel more comfortable with black students. 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 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 00:02:33.112 --> 00:02:39.860 to emphasize "nigg-ahhh". You know, nigga, nigga this, nigga, nigga please! Nigga! 00:02:39.860 --> 00:02:43.886 Ya'know, can you lend a nigga a pencil? 00:02:43.886 --> 00:02:47.504 >> What kind of example are you setting for your students if you use a word 00:02:47.504 --> 00:02:50.237 that you don't want them to use? 00:02:50.237 --> 00:02:53.082 >> Upon reflection, that's not good. 00:02:53.082 --> 00:02:58.840 >> Dawson was suspended for 10 days without pay from January 9 to January 23, 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 00:03:03.020 --> 00:03:06.386 and hopes that others think twice before using the "n" word. 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. 00:03:13.283 --> 00:03:18.432 >> Paul Dawson says that he is sorry for the way things were handled but Keysean says 00:03:18.432 --> 00:03:21.693 that he is not looking for any apologies. 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. 00:03:26.496 --> 00:03:29.072 >> And punishment in your mind is? 00:03:29.072 --> 00:03:33.066 >> Him not having his job anymore. 00:03:33.066 --> 00:03:37.542 Paul Dawson says that he wants there to be a steadfast policy 00:03:37.542 --> 00:03:42.004 in Jefferson County Public Schools against people using the "n" word. 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. 00:03:46.193 --> 00:03:50.898 And we should mention that Keysean is still in Paul Dawson's classroom. Dawson has been 00:03:50.898 --> 00:03:55.961 with the district for 20 years and Keysean is still in that classroom because Dawson 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. 00:04:00.474 --> 00:04:03.310 Well, now he was suspended for awhile but is he back teaching? 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 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 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 00:04:18.531 --> 00:04:20.528 says that he should keep his job. 00:04:20.528 --> 00:04:22.829 Thank you very much. I'm sure we haven't heard the last of this. 00:04:22.829 --> 00:04:23.997 Oh no, lots more to come. 00:04:23.997 --> 99:59:59.999 Thank you.