Slossberg Apologizes, Issues Statement On Use Of N-Word, NAACP Demands Meeting

MILFORD, CT — State Sen. Gayle Slossberg, D-Milford, said she apologized to the University of Connecticut College Democrats for her use of the N-word while addressing the group. The NAACP issued it's own statement Thursday night blasting the state lawmaker demanding a face-to-face meeting to discuss her "insensitive behavior and poor judgement."

In a statement released Thursday night, Slossberg offered context for the remark. "In my introductory remarks to the UConn College Democrats, I relayed a personal experience about education and fighting racism. I was talking about children’s books that were outdated and inappropriate for elementary school children. In describing that the books were so inappropriate for young children, I referenced the actual Word aloud as it appeared in the text of a children’s book. My intention was to convey that this Word has no place in our society, especially in teaching our children. I responded immediately for the offense caused by my utterance and sent a formal apology to the entire club.

"To be clear: At an academic institution of higher education, I referenced the Word as it appeared in the text of a children’s book. My point was to emphasize that that Word had no place in a children’s book in a children’s library or any place else. And I successfully worked to remove these inappropriate books from the children’s library," Slossberg's statement concludes.

NAACP Response

Scot X. Esdaile, President of the CT NAACP State Conference, and who is also a NAACP National Board Member, said his organization and the Black & Puerto Rican Caucus of State Legislators, released a joint statement concerning Slossberg's comments.

"The UCONN College Democrats student group released an official statement regarding disturbing comments made by State Senator Slossberg during an invited talk to discuss the current state budget. Senator Slossberg began her remarks by describing her early work to remove books with racial epithets from grade school libraries. Senator Slossberg repeatedly used the N-word in describing her work without properly referencing it as a euphemism.

Based on this information the NAACP and the Black & Puerto Rican Caucus are deeply disturbed about State Sen. Slossberg's poor lack of judgement. In this heightened climate of racial tension it is particularly disturbing that a legislator, elected to represent all residents of her district and indeed the state, would show such blatant disregard for the vile, painful, and ugly history of the "N word" and its contemporary use to provoke fear and intimidation.

As a nation we have watched in shock as white supremacists carrying torches shouted chants that included derogatory references to Blacks and Jews in Charlottesville. On college campuses across the US, and indeed here in Connecticut, we have witnessed the need for respectful dialogue about issues of race, ethnicity, religion, and difference that doesn't promote the wanton use of pejorative terms and stereotypes.

Removing books from Libraries with problematic language may be admirable to some. However, we believe it is even more imperative to remove negative, demeaning terms from one's personal language. For over ten years the NAACP has led a national effort to "bury the N word" based on the belief that a civil society demands a basic level of respect that should be shared by all people.

The Connecticut NAACP and the Black & Puerto Rican Caucus request an immediate meeting with Sen. Slossberg to discuss this very important matter and to prevent this type of insensitive behavior and poor judgement from happening again. Our children and young people look to elected officials and community leaders for guidance. We must lead with the values we seek to promote," the NAACP's statement concludes.