Tenured Professor Uses N-Word in Class While Quoting a Character in a Story

Incident prompts email apology from department chair

A white professor of a Santa Clara theater course reportedly said the N-word twice during a lecture on Oct. 20 while quoting a character in a story of racism in 1960s Mississippi, according to students in the class. The students also confirmed that the professor’s usage was articulated with what is commonly referred to as “the Hard R.”

Aldo Billingslea, the department chair of theater and dance, sent an email to the department on Oct. 21, addressing the incident.

“I am sorry this occurred and will do what I can to make sure it doesn’t happen again.” Billingslea stated in the email. “Therefore, as Chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance, I strongly urge all members of the faculty, staff, all guest directors, student speakers, and student directors to please only ever use the term ‘n-word’ as opposed to the entire word.”

The Santa Clara reached out to students in the class, but they chose not to comment apart from confirming details of the incident.

Since Wednesday, the professor is no longer teaching the course. It is currently being taught by another faculty member from the department, according to a student enrolled in the class.

In his statement to the department, Billingslea also wrote about the slur that was used.

“In 1960’s Mississippi, the time and place discussed, this epithet had a weight and potency,” Billingslea wrote. “In today’s time and place, this word is even more potent and, as such, has the potential to cause even more harm.”

The university’s wider student body has not been notified of this incident. No university statement has been issued, apart from Billingslea’s email.

The Santa Clara reached out to the professor via email on Oct. 28 for a statement and has not received a response.