Why would a white teacher think it’s OK to use the n-word at this Kansas City school?

It took Kansas City’s University Academy charter school more than two weeks to look into student claims that their teacher had repeatedly used the n-word during an African American studies class.

It’s hard to imagine any reason why school officials would take so long to investigate a case like this. As we have said when similar situations have occurred in other metropolitan area schools, it is absolutely not appropriate for a teacher to use the n-word in front of students.

And given all the publicity over previous incidents, it’s also hard to believe that a high school teacher could be so clueless. Especially one charged with teaching African-American studies in an academically top-rated public charter school where 96% of the students are children of color — and most are Black.

Superintendent Rebecca Gudde sent a message to parents Tuesday that the school was aware of complaints about the incident that occurred during a class discussion. The letter offers few details, except that “the teacher in question has been put on administrative leave” while the school investigates.

Parents told us they are leery about the school investigating itself, since they hired the teacher in the first place. “We trusted you with our kids. We don’t trust you now,” said Carly Mitchell, a University Academy mom. “How can we trust you to hold this teacher accountable? I don’t want to see him at this school anymore.”

School officials shared their letter to parents with The Star’s editorial board. But they have not yet answered our questions about how this matter has been handled, whether the teacher is certified in the subject area, and whether officials believe the n-word is an acceptable part of the class curriculum.

“We are limited in our comments while we look into the matter,” Gudde said.

These students, their parents and the broader community deserve more transparency from this public school and its leaders.

The letter to parents was not sent until comments from students who were in the classroom were posted on Instagram by the KC Defender news outlet, along with a video of the teacher using the word and dismissing students’ complaints.

In the video, the teacher, who is white, is heard telling the class that “African Americans call themselves (the n-word).” He then attempts to justify his poor behavior by saying he used the word in “an educational context.” He tells students: “You can like it, not like it, be upset about it all you like. But ultimately this is a ridiculous conversation.”

In an audio recording shared by students with The Defender, the teacher admits, “I probably should not have said it.” But he also tells students, “You cannot police other people’s speech. You cannot do it.”

Well no, students have every right to be upset because “it’s unacceptable,” in the words of Daive Dunkley, head of the African American Studies Department at the University of Missouri.

Dunkley said that even on a college level, use of the word is often questioned. The word would only be used when quoting someone in a historical context to show the aggressive and disparaging way that “white Americans talked to and about Black people” at certain times.

“And once that point is made, I don’t see any reason to say it ever a second time,” Dunkley said. “That word resonates. You do not need to use the term to teach the lesson.”

Dunkley, who is Black, said he doesn’t use the n-word in his college lectures, “because I am offended by the word,” he said. “The students here would not find that language acceptable either.”

To use such a racially charged, insulting and demeaning term with students is for provocation. Based on the statements recorded by students, this teacher knew when he used the slur that students would be offended and would object.

Across the country, legislatures and school boards have attempted to suppress teaching about America’s ugly racist history because they wrongly say the truth would make white students feel uncomfortable and guilty, and Black children feel bad about themselves.

While we disagree strongly with such bans, we also note how important it is that schools protect students from teachers who would unnecessarily toss around racial epithets and then dismiss student discussion about the trauma that language evokes for them.

In such cases where a teacher intentionally and inappropriately uses the n-word, there should be consequences. (It’s almost never appropriate — and just as rarely necessary — to use the actual term.)

And when those consequences are meted out, students, parents and the public should know from the school that the incident was handled swiftly with the goal of protecting students, first and foremost, at the core of whatever decision is made.