The NAACP may have symbolically "buried" the N-word this past week, but if the recent actions of celebrities such as Isaiah Washington, Michael Richards, Mel Gibson and Don Imus have proved anything, it's that you can't bury ignorance.

Linked by their transgressions, the four men took center stage in a recent Harris Poll of 2,383 adults. The poll also broke down responses by race/ethnicity and orientation. Respondents were asked which specific words and actions they find most offensive and also asked for their opinions on recent events ranging from Washington's use of the word "faggot" to Gibson's diatribe against Jews.

A few highlights from the poll:

• Seven in ten (69 percent) said that actor/comedian Richards' use of the N-word at a comedy club in Los Angeles was offensive, and 30 percent said it was extremely offensive
• Two-thirds of respondents (64 percent) found ex-radio personality Imus' reference to Rutgers' female basketball players as "nappy-headed hos" to be offensive, with 29 percent saying it was extremely offensive
• Six in ten (63 percent) found actor Gibson's use of Jewish slurs after being pulled over for drunk driving to be offensive, and 22 percent found it extremely offensive
• More than half (54 percent) felt that ex-"Grey's Anatomy" star Washington's use of "faggot" toward co-star T.R. Knight was offensive, and 18 percent found it extremely offensive
• Radio talk-show host Rush Limbaugh's reference to Sen. Barack Obama as "Obama Osama" was deemed offensive by 50 percent, and 16 percent found it extremely offensive

The poll also asked which specific terms or phrases respondents found most objectionable. Respondents found the word "nigger" to be the most offensive (85 percent), followed by "faggot" (81 percent); "ho" (72 percent); "queer" (70 percent) and "kike" (68 percent). Not surprisingly, when the poll was broken down into racial demographics, blacks were more disturbed by the comments made by Imus and Richards, while LGBT respondents took more issue with the anti-gay slur from Washington. Blacks were "extremely" or "very" offended by Imus (88 percent) and Richards (83 percent). Two-thirds (66 percent) of LGBT adults were "extremely" or "very" offended by Washington.

The survey also examined which events truly became national news stories. While 80 percent were familiar with Imus and his "nappy-headed hos" comment, only half were familiar with the Washington slur.

There was general agreement that certain language crossed the line, but the majority of those polled agreed the U.S. government should take no official role in banning objectionable words or phrases on television or radio. A third (34 percent) of respondents said no offensive words should be banned but that broadcasters should "set their own standards for respectful and appropriate language on the air." Thirty percent said to do nothing and let individuals screen what they consider appropriate; 27 percent were in favor of banning offensive words and 9 percent were unsure. 

Tips for Dealing With Offensive Language at Work

When the intent is to hurt, "it is the leader's accountability to intervene and address," says Steven Larson, senior vice president, OD/Diversity Consultant for Wachovia, No. 11 in The 2007 DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity^®. "Termination is the result of a pattern of behavior that may be intentional."

For more insight on how to deal with questionable or objectionable language in the workplace, read Having an Isaiah Moment? How to Deal With an Insensitive Coworker.

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