FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE     

                     August 13, 2010

                     For more information contact Jill Garvey 312-266-0319

CHICAGO –  Laura Schlessinger, commonly referred to as “Dr. Laura,” used the "n" word on her radio show 11 times while speaking with a caller who identified herself as black. Dr. Laura initially suggested that the woman, who was calling for advice about how to deal with racist remarks, was “hypersensitive.”

When the caller asked about use of the “N-word,” Schlessinger said, “Black guys use it all the time. Turn on HBO, listen to a black comic, and all you hear is n*****, n*****, n*****.”

When the caller criticized Schlessinger for fully articulating the “n” word, an argument ensued and Schlessinger stated:

“If you're that hypersensitive about color and don't have a sense of humor, don't marry out of your race. If you're going to marry out of your race, people are going to say, "OK, what do blacks think? What do whites think? What do Jews think? What do Catholics think?" Of course there isn't a one-think per se. But in general there's "think."

And what I just heard from Jade is a lot of what I hear from black-think -- and it's really distressting [sic] and disturbing. And to put it in its context, she said the N-word, and I said, on HBO, listening to black comics, you hear " n*****, n*****, n*****." I didn't call anybody a n*****. Nice try, Jade. Actually, sucky try.”

In light of her statements, the Center for New Community joins with other civil rights and media watchdog groups in calling for corporations to pull their advertising dollars from the Dr. Laura Show.

“Schlessinger should be held accountable for her comments,” said Eric Ward, national field director of the Center for New Community, “And her program’s advertisers should join the American public in doing so. A company’s values are reflected in where it chooses to spend its corporate dollars.”

After an outcry from her listeners, Schlessinger issued an apology on her blog; however, her racially charged rhetoric warrants more than an apology, it requires real consequences. This is an opportunity for advertisers to stand against hate speech on the airwaves.

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The Center for New Community is a national organization committed to building community, justice, and equality. The Center is grounded in many faith traditions, and builds community where the dignity and value of all humanity is manifest. Based in Chicago, the organization defends democracy, empowers communities, and promotes equality in its commitments to cultivate civic life and advance systemic change in partnership with local leaders, organizations, congregations, and other institutions.