Ralph R. Papitto's Use of the N-word Shows a Lack of Integrity

 

Ms. Kate Bramson’s article in the Providence Journal, “Papitto says ‘N’ word just ‘slipped out’,” is an interesting study in the word “integrity.” While the N-word may very well have just “slipped out” of Mr. Papitto’s mouth, his subsequent actions makes the situation all the more deplorable. An ethical person, a moral person, a person with integrity would have admitted his mistake with the candor and honesty we demand from a person who is the namesake of a legal institution. His statement to radio personality John DePetro that he doesn’t use “that word,” and that the first time he heard it was on the radio in rap music is ridiculous at best. Mr. Papitto is 80-years old, am I to believe he spends his afternoons driving down I-95 listening to Snoop Dog?

The School of Law should lead by example. An institution dedicated to the study of law and justice should not bear the name of a person who speaks obsolete words of hatred and bigotry from a shameful era in American history. Perhaps a more appropriate name would be, “Roger Williams University Thurgood Marshall School of Law.” If Mr. Papitto had any integrity, he would request the name change himself.