Dr. Laura Repeats N-Word Multiple Times on Air

(CBS/AP)  Updated at 6:40 p.m. ET

Talk radio host Dr. Laura Schlessinger has issued an apology for saying the N-word several times in an on-air conversation with a caller that she said was "hypersensitive" to racism.

Schlessinger said on her website Wednesday that she was wrong in using the word for what she called an attempt to make a philosophical point.

"I articulated the N-word all the way out - more than one time," Schlessinger said in comments from the opening of her radio show that she posted on her site. "And that was wrong. I'll say it again - that was wrong."

She said she "realized I had made a horrible mistake, and was so upset, I could not finish the show."

Still, some on Friday, including the Rev. Al Sharpton, are calling on advertisers to re-think their support of her show, CBS News Correspondent Jeff Glor reports. Her production company tells CBS News, "her advertisers know this was an anomaly and they know she's not a racist." Schlessinger hopes her nine million weekly listeners agree.

Schlessinger said she pulled herself off the air Thursday at the end of the hour.

During the exchange on Tuesday's show, Schlessinger said the woman who called herself Jade was too sensitive for complaining that her husband's friends made racist comments about her in their home.

When the woman asked if the N-word was offensive, Dr. Laura said "black guys say it all the time," then went on to repeat it several times.

Schlessinger did not direct the epithet at the woman, but said she used it to suggest how often she hears it, and that it should not automatically be cause for offense.

When the caller objected, Schlessinger replied: "Oh, then I guess you don't watch HBO or listen to any black comedians."

Schlessinger also said that if the caller did not have a sense of humor about race, she shouldn't have entered into an interracial marriage.

[soshljustic]

In the current PC world, we are to call people what they want us to call them, or the names they use, and these terms differ across the continuum of adjectives for varying groups. The most obnoxious terms, known in human history have been reclaimed by their groups as power symbols, and now used to reclaim power, lost to old discrimination and hate due to ignorance. Yes, it may be true that ignorance is never off the map. But, it is truly in the intent of the speaker and not embedded in the word itself although the word may have a history of being affiliated with hate. Words (phonemes) are just that. Their meaning and their intent will vary from time to time and may even differ culture to culture, class to class of society, perhaps even context. It would behoove all concerned to consider the circumstances of each singular event, and the intent of the persons involved by questioning, as intent is not often a visible behavior, and may have many qualifying factors to the causal response. A truly objective approach is warranted, given that every human may use pejorative adjectives to self describe in order to take back power through the process of self-deprecation, oftentimes viewed as being humble, when more often than not a simple manipulative tool to fool publicly and gain support, empathy, pity.

[ekucrew]

I can't think of a MORE deserving person to get their @$$ caught in the door crack and have someone slam it... hard.

Ratchet-jaw Dr. Laura's tongue and eyes are spinning wildly as she if trying to squirm outta this fiasco. Years ago a co-worker of mine listened to Schlessinger daily and quoted how Dr Laura prided herself in crowing when how she "just busted you" in response to callers that Schlessinger thought she had one-upped. Glad to see it come back in her face... full force!

[lepidopteralee]

She shouldn't have to apologize. What she said was a comment that is true and seen by other posters on several occassions. 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, my "other" friends say it and it does bother me, unless used in jest and acceptable-what is familiar to us vs. what is not. If you use the word to unfamiliar people there are consequences when used in familiar situations there are not.
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 seperating my white friends and black friends to make my point. If people would stop seperating and labeling others racism wouldn't exist. People are people does it matter what color, what group they belong to etc? I don't go around stating I am a white, catholic, irish-italian. GET OVER IT. 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. There is a point to be made about being proud about your race and 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......
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 necessarlily agree with you. More often than not she will give you the controvertial side of things and give you something to mull over in your head. She even tells many of her callers....why did you call then did you think I was going to agree with you?

[buckeyedude1]

First, I don't believe in the sincerity of her apology she was told to take these"drastic" steps (for Dr? Laura) or her job would be on the line by the mass of negative public backlash. And it still should!!
What's so shockingly numbing about it all, Schlessinger has no clue of the magnitude of her ignorance and lack of any insight. It was not just the insensitive usage of the "N" word(Which is all she is focused on now on her blog.) It was ALL of the conversation with the woman and advise she wanted from the uncomfortable situation these friends? put her in. Instead of giving this woman ,a constant target of racial taunts how to deal directly with the person(s) in question that she had enough of this immature behavior. Dr? Laura turned it completely around on the woman who was the target of these remarks! That's what is insane blaming the mixed couple who should expect this type of ridicule??? Then going into angry tirade and twisted stereotype perception of how black people interact with one another. Schlessinger looking down from her lofty vulture perch is oblivious that her point of view is completely wrong. All she knows is now, to save her career she is "FORCED" to act mournful and humble and ask forgiveness. I'm sure the whole process in her mind of pretending to be wrong is making her sick, just like the many who heard Dr?Laura's repulsive unqualified bitter drivel.

[buckeyedude1]

First, I don't believe in the sincerity of her apology she was told to take these"drastic" steps (for Dr? Laura) or her job would be on the line by the mass of negative public backlash. And it still should!!
What's so shockingly numbing about it all, Schlessinger has no clue of the magnitude of her ignorance and lack of any insight. It was not just the insensitive usage of the "N" word(Which is all she is focused on now on her blog.) It was ALL of the conversation with the woman and advise she wanted from the uncomfortable situation these friends? put her in. Instead of giving this woman ,a constant target of racial taunts how to deal directly with the person(s) in question that she had enough of this immature behavior. Dr? Laura turned it completely around on the women who was the target of these remarks! That's what is insane blaming the mixed couple who should expect this type of ridicule??? Then going into angry tirade and twisted stereotype perception of how black people interact with one another. Schlessinger looking down from her lofty vulture perch is oblivious that her point of view is completely wrong. All she knows is now, to save her career she is "FORCED" to act mournful and humble and ask forgiveness. I'm sure the whole process in her mind of pretending to be wrong is making her sick, just like the many who heard Dr?Laura's repulsive unqualified bitter drivel.

[candyc4]

This woman has always thought she was smarter than almost anyone. Her arrogance and know-all manner has been nauseating. (No, I don't listen to her, or watch her, but in cases like this what she stands for is hard to avoid. She just proved she is more stupid. To compare her use of this language to other black males is ridiculous. To pretend she isn't a racist is dumb, her words are more than using psychology on a caller. She is one of those people who are throwbacks, and a hindrance to the U.S. staying a progressive, leading country. Get rid of her.

[Whitey_Lawful]

"There are white ******* too" - Robert Byrd

[Myopinion046]

She said it was wrong, so leave her alone people. However, a conservative in an overwhelmingly liberal dominated discipline like psychology should spend their time telling people to no longer listen to psychology instead. How can a 93% liberal psychology be even remotely objective and neutral after all? How can a discipline without a balance between liberals and conservatives produce anything other than an imbalanced result? Think about it people.

[DidHeSayThat]

More Tales from the Crypt of Dr. Laura?

[queenofclubs]

Why is that woman still on the air anyway? Who takes her seriously?