Dr. Laura N-Word and First Amendment Rights

Dr. Laura n-word controversy continues, even though the radio show host has stated that she will quit after her contract is up later this year. She claims that she wants to say what’s on her mind, reclaiming her “first amendment rights.”

Sarah Palin quickly backed up the radio advice giver, Tweeting “don’t retreat, reload!”

Dr. Laura used the n-word 11 times in 5 minutes while talking to a black woman who is married to a white man about how his family treats her.  The woman expressed concern over the n-word, and then Dr. Laura went off on her tirade.

Even though she was trying to make a point, did that give her the right to use a racially divisive word?  Does freedom of speech preclude every ounce of human decency – is it something we should be able to hide behind when we have our foot in our mouth?

Sure, she has the right to “say what’s on her mind” but she should still be sensitive to the feelings of others, and the pain her words – no matter how benign – may bring.