As Oliver Willis would say, looks like there was another bigot eruption in Rhode Island. Ralph R. Papitto, for whom the Law School at Roger Williams University is named, reportedly used the n-word in a Board of Trustees meeting, in responding to criticism that his board did not have enough diversity. Now he says the word “just slipped out.” From the Projo:
Ralph R. Papitto spoke this morning with John DePetro on WPRO 630 AM, about a story that ran Saturday in The Providence Journal saying that the longtime chairman of the board of trustees at Roger Williams University has stepped down.
The university said the man for whom the Roger Williams law school is named retired because he is 80 and because he wanted to spend more time with his family.
But a former trustee says Papitto, a board member for about 40 years and chairman for the last 18, was forced to resign after he uttered a racial slur at a May 2 trustees meeting. The trustee, along with two other trustees who demanded Papitto’s resignation, has since been removed from the board.Dr. Barbara H. Roberts says they were terminated — two without explanation — as retaliation for pushing for Papitto’s removal.
The Journal reported that at the May 2 meeting, Roberts said, Papitto and the trustees were discussing a sternly worded report criticizing the board’s lack of diversity — of its 16 members, 14 are white men. Papitto became agitated, Roberts said, and used the word “n—–â€? while talking about diversifying the board.
Papitto said to DePetro today that the word just slipped out – but it’s not something he has ever said before.
“I happened to use the word … It kind of slipped out,” he said. “I don’t use that word.”
He said the first time he heard it was on the radio – in rap music. [full text]
The first time in his 80-year life that he heard the “n-word” was in rap music? Um, I don’t think so.
Matt Jerzyk is also covering this issue, as a blogger and a Roger Williams Law School student.
Kmareka.com 
Maybe he was just pronouncing “negro” the way my 8th Grade teacher always did : “niggr-o”. Besides, I just heard that word about 50 times, across the street from my living room windows… and from a porch full of black guys. They must be bigots, I guess.
Yawn @ the whole thing.
the point isn’t that he said ‘nigger’. The amazing this is that he’d NEVER used it before (yeah, right), and that the first time he heard it was in Rap music. wow. Hand up all those who buy that argument…
Good point, EmEllKay. Yes, it is a shame that African-Americans are still using some form of the word in this day in age; but some have told me that they refer to it as a term of endearment like you saying to your friend – “what’s up bud” or “how are you doing, champ” or “what’s up big-head” to poke fun at the person but not degrade them. As with any word, it is all in the context in how you use it and also who it is coming from that affects whether or not you would respond positively to it or negatively to it. I’m not saying the word is ok at all! I HATE to hear anything close to the N-word or any derogatory term used toward other races. However this guy should know better, especially someone at his level – why does he feel the need to degrade blacks? What’s the benefit? Just because he can? What a lowlife. He meant exactly what he said and it is NOT ACCEPTABLE! I just don’t believe it was the first time he has used it. “Slipped out” – lol! Sure. This 80-year old obviously lived during the time of lynching and all kinds of sub-human torment to African-Americans. He meant to condescend these AMERICANS. I don’t understand how anybody could have such hatred toward other races. Racism seems to never go away and it continues to hold other minorities from progressing – see it everyday. How would he feel if someone referred to him as white trash, white devil, Klan, cracker and other terrible terms used towards whites? Of course he wants to use TV or music as a scapegoat saying it’s the first time he heard/use the word – BULL!!! That’s just like irresponsible parents who blame entertainment for their problematic kids. Entertainment is an easy excuse (not saying there are alot of positive rap music like there used to be but still, it is an EASY scapegoat to run away from a larger issue).
Of course you would yawn at it – I’m not surprised. It appears that you have not experienced racism or have been heavily affected by it by your comments. Unfortunately, when people shelter themselves from diversity, that is usually what happens – they tend to be callous and indifferent towards the plight of other social groups. You truly would not understand until you’ve stood in their shoes.