The use of slurs isn’t just heavily frowned upon. It’s unacceptable in today’s society, even if used casually. People of color are trying to reclaim the slurs that target their specific races, ethnicities, etc., and there are repercussions to using them.
Time and time again, we have seen people using the N-word face significant consequences- from losing jobs to getting expelled from institutions. Luke Valentine, a Big Brother contestant, also faced a similar situation: he was kicked out of the reality show after being caught using a slur.
Luke Valentine, a houseguest on CBS’ show Big Brother, was caught using the N-word slur on the livestream of the show while talking to fellow contestants- Jared Fields, Hisam Goueli, and Cory Wurtenberger. After intense social media uproar, he was kicked out of the show. The network said he violated their code of conduct and was expelled.
What Racial Slur Did Luke Use In Big Brother?
Luke Valentine, a contestant on CBS’ Big Brother show, was caught using the N-word on the livestream on Wednesday (August 9) morning on Paramount+. He said the N-word racial slur while talking with Jared Fields, Hisam Goueli, and Cory Wurtenberger. He tried to couch the mistake with the word “dude,” but everyone had already heard him say it.
Valentine, who is white, said: “We were in the f***ing cheese room, n****.” He immediately apologized for it by saying, “I’m sorry.” Viewers watching the livestream heard him using the racial slur and demanded his exit from the reality show.
CBS expelled Luke Valentine shortly after and issued a statement saying:
“Luke violated the Big Brother code of conduct, and there is zero tolerance in the house for using a racial slur. He has been removed from the house.”
His removal from the show was addressed in the August 10 episode. Host Julie Chen said:
“It was an emotional 24 hours in the Big Brother house as the houseguests learned that one of their own broke the Big Brother Code of Conduct and was removed from the game.”
Cory Wurtenberg, who was present when Valentine said the N-word racial slur explained what had happened according to him. He said:
“It was directed toward me in a very casual, using it between friends, and I think the reaction was, ‘Yo, you gotta go to bed, man.’ I walked out like, ‘Did I just hear that?'”
Jared Fields, the only black man in the group, and who was also present when Valentine said the slur responded by saying:
“Listen, I respect exactly what you’re saying, Cory, but considering what the situation was, it’s not fair, I think, to try to have this as a family convo.”
Later in a confessional, Fields elaborated on his feelings more. He said:
“I’ve had friends like Luke in the past. It’s really weird to try to have that conversation; that’s why I didn’t tell anybody. I don’t associate ignorance with malice. Whether Luke meant it in that way or not, it was rules and regulations, and we were told them clearly before walking into this house. I completely understand the decision, and I also understand there are consequences to every action you make.”
He further said that it’s hard for him to explain to people why that racial slur hurts him the most as the only black man in the house. But he still wishes Luke the best for his future endeavors.
TMZ reported Luke Valentine’s father, James, saying that he found his son’s use of the N-word surprising because he wasn’t raised in a racist household. Many of his family members are black, including his stepmom and step-siblings. His stepmom isn’t holding that word over his head because she still thinks he’s a good man.
Big Brother airs at 9/8c on CBS on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Live streaming, as well as next-day streaming, are options that are also available on Paramount+.
What are your thoughts about the controversy?
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Source: TMZ and Independent UK
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