August 17, 2010 11:23 PM

Dr. Laura Ending Radio Show after N-Word Uproar

By
Alex Sundby
Topics
News

Dr. Laura Schlessinger speaks during the American Women in Radio and Television 2010 Genii Awards at the Skirball Cultural Center April 14, 2010, in Los Angeles.

(Credit: Getty Images)

Talk radio host Dr. Laura Schlessinger announced Tuesday night that in order to "regain my First Amendment rights" and to no longer have to "live in fear" she is stepping down from the show on which she used the n-word repeatedly in a tirade with a black caller.

The 30-year radio veteran made the announcement "not to do radio anymore" on CNN's "Larry King Live" one week after she used the n-word 11 times when a black female caller sought advice on handling racist comments from her white husband's friends and relatives.

(Watch video below)

"I want to be able to say what's on my mind and in my heart and what I think is helpful and useful without somebody getting angry or some special-interest group deciding this is a time to silence a voice of dissent," Schlessinger told King.

On Aug. 11, Schlesinger apologized, saying "I was attempting to make a philosophical point, and I articulated the n-word all the way out -- more than one time. And that was wrong. I'll say it again -- that was wrong."

Between then and Tuesday, she told King she felt her First Amendment rights were "usurped by angry, hateful groups who don't want to debate -- they want to eliminate."

Schlessinger told King she plans to use her website as an outlet once she officially leaves her show at the end of the year.

"I decided it was time to move on to other venues where I could say my peace," Schlessinger said, "and not have to live in fear anymore."


  • Alex Sundby

    Alex Sundby is an associate news editor for CBSNews.com

Add a Comment See all 253 Comments
by MurdochSucks August 19, 2010 2:53 PM EDT
How can she put the "Dr." next to her name? Anybody that is stupid enough to believe her crap is probably foolish enough to think she actually has a doctorate of anything.
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by steeepe August 19, 2010 1:11 PM EDT
Good riddance!
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by TALWAN August 19, 2010 12:12 PM EDT
Doctor, it's what's in you that comes out of you. Yes, you spoke your mind and that which is in your heart. The internet will provide you with the arena you need to continue to spew out what you feel. God bless you.
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by ky1946 August 19, 2010 12:40 PM EDT
The question proposed by the caller was, if I understand the beginning of all this?, 'how do I answer the question from my husbands (white) friends. WHY BLACK PEOPLE CAN "****** PLEASE" and they can't'......
Dr. Laura went off on that same tangent and found the answer....BECAUSE YOU AIN'T BLACK AND WHITEY AIN'T PAYED THE PRICE.
by ky1946 August 19, 2010 12:54 PM EDT
The racial slur "xxxxxx," on the other hand, doesn't enter the lexicon until the 1500's, first as "neger" or "neeger," obviously from the same root as the French negre and Spanish negro, words for the color black, which are derived from the Latin niger. So if I am speaking spanish or french which word do I have to use, especially if I am white and out of country, no african-american here.???????
by ggd_shack August 19, 2010 12:11 PM EDT
Race Baiter--this term has been thrown around alot in the past few years.

I have yet to hear someone give an official dictionary definition of the term, but my guess is that people use it to refer to someone who unecessarily stirs up racial tensions to get people riled up, to get a reaction of some kind. In that case, I think we all know who the biggest race baiter of them all is--you guessed it, Rush Limbaugh (this really needs no explanation, i'll move on).

Someone on this board actually called the woman who phoned in to Dr. Laura's show that fateful day a race-baiter. In other words, he thinks that that uppity negroe should keep her mouth shut and gladly suffer the racially demeaning comments of her husband's friends and relatives. Please.

There are quite a few people who don't believe they are racist but make comments like these. Come on, stop deluding yourselves and just be honest. You're racist. Everyone can see it but you.
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by dwolfman1 August 19, 2010 12:10 PM EDT
ALL THIS IS BULLCHIT . LENO SAYS WHITE TRASH , DO WHITE PEOPLE GET UPSET , NO . IF HE SAID THIS DAM [N] WORD , HE WOULD BE THROWN OFF THE AIR . WE SHO DON'T WANT TO UPSET THE [N'S].
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by BringMoney August 19, 2010 12:10 PM EDT
Dr. Laura has been effectively censored through threats of violence. Funny, it didn't happen in the past when she used the term "white trash" in its true context.
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by lepidopteralee August 19, 2010 11:55 AM EDT
By the way.....everyone keeps saying we have a black president... Again if you are going to label someone get it right...his parents were from Kenya and Kansas, therefore he is not black but is a mulatto.
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by dpahlke August 19, 2010 11:32 AM EDT
It takes one to know one. You've just proved it.
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by falconco August 19, 2010 11:16 AM EDT
Yes, black comics often use the "N" word. Often I'll hear a black teen greet another with "Hey, *****, whasup?" Sounds so ghetto.
If Jade's husband won't intervene on her behalf with his family members, the verbal abuse will only continue, and I would suggest that she leave him.
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by lepidopteralee August 19, 2010 11:02 AM EDT
What she said was a comment that is true and seen by other posters on several occasions. The "n" word is used by people in the black culture and its ok, but when used by other cultures it is not politically correct. I personally don't use the word and don't like it b/c of its controversy. My black friends use the word and it doesn't bother me, "other" acquaintances use the term it does bother me, I find it offensive. It is basically what is acceptable among friends vs. others. If you use the word to unfamiliar people there are consequences when used in familiar situations there are not. She did not call this woman the n-word, nor did she call African Americans the n-word. There is a point to be made about being proud about your race. Yes, be proud of your heritage and the hardships that have occurred. Jewish people went through the holocaust, Native Americans were killed and stripped of their land, African Americans were used as slaves?..the list goes on and on??.
To all those posters who are stating their race is still being punished by the white man etc?.. what proactive associations do you belong to that support your statements? Do you volunteer at local heritage museum? Talk at your local school on historical events? Participate in discussion groups to support your elders? Do you write to HBO and other networks to get your people off the air who are using racist terms and making fun of their own race???????? COME ON LETS BE REAL HERE!!!!!
Dr. Laura did not call anyone a n-er she simply stated what true....comedians, artists and the like make fun of themselves as well as others using racist comments...... So do white comedians?..like you might be a redneck if??and we all laugh at these comedians jokes or they wouldn?t have shows on TV.

Dr. Laura also used the terms Jews, Catholics, etc. why aren't those groups upset and causing an uproar?
In my post I am condoning racism by separating my white friends and black friends to make my point. If people would stop separating and labeling others racism wouldn't exist. People are people does it matter what color, what group they belong to etc? Here's food for thought.....on forms stating what ethnic group (label) do you belong to try checking the do not prefer to answer and make a step to stop ethnic labeling.
the woman who called took it out of context and basically told Dr. Laura you shouldn't use the word cause your white. Dr. Laura didn't call the woman a n-er. Dr. Laura speaks her mind and states "food for thought" all the time. If you listen to her ever, even just once, you should know that you shouldn't call her if you want her to necessarily agree with you. More often than not she will give you the controversial side of things and give you something to mull over in your head, and even get upset or angry over. This is no different. She even tells many of her callers....why did you call, did you think I was going to agree with you?
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