If there is a time and place to be crystal clear about everything, it’s a courtroom, though government officials in San Francisco, California, believe otherwise. Certain individuals have been protesting against Superior Court Judge Harry M. Dorfman for using a racial slur while reading transcripts. The “N-word,” as many might know, is a very controversial and offensive word, especially when spoken by a white person. That said, after years of debate, Judge Dorfman has caved in, agreeing to stop using the word in court.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the San Francisco Superior Court admits that accuracy is important, but being discreet about how certain words, namely the N-word in this case, can affect others is equally important. While Dorfman hasn’t been found guilty of violating any ethical or statutory rules, he will be using “alternative language when this word arises in court proceedings” moving forward.
The Judge Has Been Saying the Word for Years
Dorfman is no stranger to using this racial slur, as records show he’s been saying it since 2020. A public defender reportedly filed a complaint, but Dorfman hadn’t done anything wrong from a legal standpoint. He’s even defended his stance on using the word in the name of utmost accuracy. After all, he felt like he was quoting evidence, not insulting anyone.
Now, the San Francisco Superior Court has successfully urged Dorfman to take a step back and use different language for the infamous word. While plenty of people are probably pleased by this change, many internet users are less pleased.
“There is zero reason for this. It’s just crazy how far people will go to infantilize POC. Trust me, they can take reality,” writes a Redditor. “Unless the judge was making a racist scene of it, idk why anyone would approach him and ask him to reverse his policy,” agrees another.
Countless others chimed in, calling this change “stupid,” adding that context matters and accurate evidence is more important than people’s feelings. In the end, though, Dorfman has not been accused of racism, nor is using the word in court illegal, especially under the circumstances in which he allegedly used it.
Still, it’s a word plenty of people would rather not hear, so they prefer an alternative; Dorfman seems to understand that and is finally following suit after over half a decade.
