A VIRGINIA TEACHER has been suspended for using a racist word while discussing discriminatory and derogatory terms with her history class.
Reports suggest that Lynne Pierce, teacher of advanced placement history at Heritage High School in Newport News, Virginia, was reported by a student after using the term in a hypothetical response to a question as to why some see the Washington Redskins American Football team’s title as discriminatory.
Following the student’s complaint Pierce, who is white, was placed on administrative leave at the end of the school day.
A petition, entitled bring Back Ms Pierce, has been set up online using the hashtag #imnotoffended arguing for the teacher’s reinstatement.
At present the petition has 656 signatures.
Pierce told 13NewsNow that, having given the example of the Washington Redskins as a potentially discriminatory phrase (in that its name is offensive to Native Americans), a student asked her to expand on her statement.
She allegedly replied comparing it to a local football team being named the ‘Newport News N******’.
Director of Newport News Schools public information department Michelle Price said in a statement that officials are investigating the matter.
Pierce has taught at the school since the 1970s.
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