# Teacher assaults student that uses a racial slur against him **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 7, 2018, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-assaults-student-that-uses-a-racial-slur-against-him/824106 "2018-11-07T00:02:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2018, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-assaults-student-that-uses-a-racial-slur-against-him/824106/101 "2018-11-08T15:08:20Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > So, is the kid white, black, hispanic, what? > > I thought he was black when I first saw the video, and then I read elsewhere that he was white. > > And no, teachers should not be punching kids in the face. He’s definitely not white, he looks black and uses a lot of what is considered african-american vernacular, but after watching the video again very closely, I suppose he could be hispanic. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2018, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-assaults-student-that-uses-a-racial-slur-against-him/824106/102 "2018-11-08T15:56:51Z")
I think it’s ridiculous that people are defending the teacher. You can’t hit kids. And he didn’t just hit the kid, it was a sustained assault. I know the kid is a little shithead but you walk away, you control yourself, do what you gotta do to be the role model. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2018, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-assaults-student-that-uses-a-racial-slur-against-him/824106/103 "2018-11-08T16:01:57Z")
> [@Sparky812](#): > > ??? In a case where teacher assaults a student over a using repeated racial epithets, you think race is irrelevant? yes. A thousand times yes. Nothing that comes out of a 14 year-old’s mouth, of whatever ethnic background, is any justification at all for a beating by a teacher. > [@](#): > > You do know about the word’s intra-group usage and reappropriation, right? I do not accept that there are words that can only be said by one race, the only thing matters is \*how \*it is being used not \*who \*uses it. That is a derailment I’m not going to pursue as I’ve made my position on that very clear. Also, it is irrelevant to whether an insult by a child is ever justification for a beating by a teacher. Wooly lefty-liberal that I am, I say it isn’t. > [@](#): > > Have you heard any hip-hop or rap music from the last 30 years or so? yes, I’ve even watched films as well and read stuff too. > [@](#): > > Race is not always relevant… but it is here. no it isn’t. Let me repeat, there is no justification for a teacher beating up a 14 year old child because of insulting language. None. > [@](#): > > That said, I still don’t agree with the teacher’s response. a brave stand, can’t quite bring yourself to condemn it though can you? ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2018, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-assaults-student-that-uses-a-racial-slur-against-him/824106/104 "2018-11-08T16:12:27Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > yes. A thousand times yes. Nothing that comes out of a 14 year-old’s mouth, of whatever ethnic background, is any justification at all for a beating by a teacher. > > I do not accept that there are words that can only be said by one race, the only thing matters is \*how \*it is being used not \*who \*uses it. That is a derailment I’m not going to pursue as I’ve made my position on that very clear. Also, it is irrelevant to whether an insult by a child is ever justification for a beating by a teacher. Wooly lefty-liberal that I am, I say it isn’t. > yes, I’ve even watched films as well and read stuff too. > no it isn’t. Let me repeat, there is no justification for a teacher beating up a 14 year old child because of insulting language. None. > > a brave stand, can’t quite bring yourself to condemn it though can you? What are you on about? I am not condoning or justifying the teacher’s reaction, you must have me confused with someone else. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2018, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-assaults-student-that-uses-a-racial-slur-against-him/824106/105 "2018-11-08T16:31:44Z")
In dealing with students that have done much worst than this student did, it is very frustrating for teachers on the front line to deal with kids like this knowing the student’s only consequence will be the dean saying, “Don’t do that.” and sending him back to class - and the school will do everything to protect the kid from legal consequences. I’m not justifying what the teacher did beating on the student (I can justify one punch though) but maybe it would have been different if he knew the kid would be expelled and dragged out of the classroom in handcuffs for a hate crime. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2018, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-assaults-student-that-uses-a-racial-slur-against-him/824106/106 "2018-11-08T16:48:44Z")
> [@Inigo\_Montoya](#): > > Not so fast. I can recognize the teacher did wrong, but in the arena of teacher/student assaults I’m having a hard time getting really upset about this particular story. And I am staunchly anti-death penalty. It worries me greatly that a common gut reaction to this is a murky, equivocating, weasely hand-waving. Insulting someone is bad, beating someone up is far, far worse. A teacher beating up a kid like that is horrific. If you aren’t upset about physical violence to a child in response to insulting words then I think that is cause for some introspection at least. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2018, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-assaults-student-that-uses-a-racial-slur-against-him/824106/107 "2018-11-08T16:59:46Z")
> [@Sparky812](#): > > What are you on about? I am not condoning or justifying the teacher’s reaction, you must have me confused with someone else. \*You \*brought up race and the usage of words etc. \*You \*said race is relevant in this situation so now I’m confused. If there is no justification for what the teacher did then talking about a racial element to it is irrelevant. What are you saying? What is your actual position? I’m clear on it. The race of the child and the words they used in no way justify what the teacher did. If you truly think what the teacher did is unjustifiable then you should have no problem agreeing with me and condemning their actions. ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2018, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-assaults-student-that-uses-a-racial-slur-against-him/824106/108 "2018-11-08T17:10:26Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > \*You \*brought up race and the usage of words etc. \*You \*said race is relevant in this situation so now I’m confused. If there is no justification for what the teacher did then talking about a racial element to it is irrelevant. > > What are you saying? > > What is your actual position? > > I’m clear on it. The race of the child and the words they used in no way justify what the teacher did. > > If you truly think what the teacher did is unjustifiable then you should have no problem agreeing with me and condemning their actions. I have no idea who you’re talking to. I have not justified his actions EVER. I believe you have me confused with **Saint Cad**. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2018, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-assaults-student-that-uses-a-racial-slur-against-him/824106/109 "2018-11-08T17:12:43Z")
When in doubt conduct the “would I do that to a cop?” test. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2018, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-assaults-student-that-uses-a-racial-slur-against-him/824106/110 "2018-11-08T18:34:17Z")
Would I punch a cop in the face? No, I wouldn’t. Did I pass the test? ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2018, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-assaults-student-that-uses-a-racial-slur-against-him/824106/111 "2018-11-08T18:48:29Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > When in doubt conduct the “would I do that to a cop?” test. Also, would you do it to a cowboy, a construction worker, and an Indian chief? ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2018, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-assaults-student-that-uses-a-racial-slur-against-him/824106/112 "2018-11-08T19:01:01Z")
Not to blame (or excuse) the teacher, but if you kick a kid out of class, you have to make it stick. You don’t let him stand there and mouth off - you walk up to him with your hands at your sides while you take a deep breath. Then you look him straight in the eyes and start bellowing in his face, non-stop, until he [list=A][li]starts to back up, in which case you follow him while continuing to bellow, until he drops his eyes and/or runs, or puts his hands on you, in which case you spin him around, and walk him out.[/list]Maybe it is against the rules even to grab him if he grabs you, but you have to pick your battles with kids - but you darn well better win them. [/li] Many of the good teachers I have known can turn the crazy on and off. Machiavelli said it is better to be feared than loved. I wonder if, at any point, he taught eighth grade. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2018, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-assaults-student-that-uses-a-racial-slur-against-him/824106/113 "2018-11-08T19:03:19Z")
I wouldn’t have done it. However that kid was a punk bitch and I can’t say I’m not a little bit happy watching him get smacked around. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2018, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-assaults-student-that-uses-a-racial-slur-against-him/824106/114 "2018-11-08T19:51:52Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > Also, would you do it to a cowboy, a construction worker, and an Indian chief? It definitely takes a village to raise a child. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2018, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-assaults-student-that-uses-a-racial-slur-against-him/824106/115 "2018-11-08T19:55:01Z")
[quote=“Shodan, post:112, topic:824106”] Then you look him straight in the eyes and start bellowing in his face, non-stop, until he [list=A][li]starts to back up, in which case you follow him while continuing to bellow, until he drops his eyes and/or runs, or puts his hands on you, in which case you spin him around, and walk him out.[/list][/li][/QUOTE] I dealt with problem people for a living. And I never yelled at anyone. If you’re yelling at a problem, you’ve lost control of the situation. And you’ve probably lost control of yourself as well. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2018, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-assaults-student-that-uses-a-racial-slur-against-him/824106/116 "2018-11-08T19:55:06Z")
Only if one of them is a macho man. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2018, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-assaults-student-that-uses-a-racial-slur-against-him/824106/117 "2018-11-08T19:57:38Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I dealt with problem people for a living. And I never yelled at anyone. If you’re yelling at a problem, you’ve lost control of the situation. And you’ve probably lost control of yourself as well. I’m guessing the rules of engagement were different in your situation from those of a music classroom filled with fourteen year olds. So were the resources available to back you up. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![MarvinKitFox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ba0ec/32.png) [@MarvinKitFox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MarvinKitFox)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2018, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-assaults-student-that-uses-a-racial-slur-against-him/824106/118 "2018-11-08T20:02:32Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > [… then proceeded to lay down a whoop-ass beatin’ on that poor boy… The school is considering dismissing the teacher. The school is _considering_ dismissing the teacher? Unless he can teach from a jail cell, that is a foregone conclusion. Yes, the kid was a total asshole. He deserved measured disciplinary action, likely a suspension unless he had a history of previous similar behavior. But for a _teacher_ to physically assault his student to the extent of sending him to hospital? Nope, sorry. Only one criminal in this case, and it ain’t the kid. ---
**Author:** ![MarvinKitFox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ba0ec/32.png) [@MarvinKitFox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MarvinKitFox)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2018, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-assaults-student-that-uses-a-racial-slur-against-him/824106/119 "2018-11-08T20:07:20Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > If your kid threw a basketball at your legs and called you names, do you think he would deserve a punch to the face? _A_ punch, maybe. It would be wrong but understandable. TWENTY THREE punches? No sir! ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2018, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-assaults-student-that-uses-a-racial-slur-against-him/824106/120 "2018-11-08T20:21:47Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > In dealing with students that have done much worst than this student did, it is very frustrating for teachers on the front line to deal with kids like this knowing the student’s only consequence will be the dean saying, “Don’t do that.” and sending him back to class - and the school will do everything to protect the kid from legal consequences. I’m not justifying what the teacher did beating on the student (I can justify one punch though) but maybe it would have been different if he knew the kid would be expelled and dragged out of the classroom in handcuffs for a hate crime. Double on this one. IF the teacher knew putting the kid out of the class was going to make a REAL difference, I doubt he would have gone crazy. Schools protect these little assholes, the others see it, and join in. Look at this [case of a middle school in Green Bay](https://fox11online.com/news/local/green-bay/long-time-washington-middle-teacher-resigns-raises-concerns-of-safety-at-the-school) where it took a top teacher publicly resigning before the disitrct did anything. Anyone who does not support this has never worked in a public school where this type of behavior is a problem. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-assaults-student-that-uses-a-racial-slur-against-him/824106.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-assaults-student-that-uses-a-racial-slur-against-him/824106.md?page=7)