Much Ado About Nothing

A high school newspaper's special report on the use of a racial epithet among students received a harsh response from district officials, who say they are investigating why it was published.

Titled "The N-Word," the report in The Benson Gazette quoted students discussing why they used the epithet and other derivatives. It also contained a question-and-answer transcript of an ethics studies class's discussion of the topic.

Benson High's principal, Lisa Dale, was put on administrative leave Friday and her future status will be decided after an investigation, district spokeswoman Luanne Nelson said. Nelson would not say if the action was related to the newspaper's publication.

This is a case of much ado about NOTHING. As the editor said.

"Why would we have newspapers at all? It may make people uncomfortable, but you can't talk about things that people are always OK with. We can't just ignore the bad things and hope they go away."