When a Zoom goes wrong: Habib responds to N-word uproar
Former Wits University Vice-Chancellor (VC), Adam Habib has defended his use of the N-word in a video clip that has gone viral.
Habib left Wits in December to take up a position as Director of the School of Oriental and African Studies, based in London
The clip caused a stir on social media on Friday morning and showed Habib in an engagement with students using the N-word in his reply to a question.
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Habib left Wits in December to take up a position as Director of the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), based in London.
Students participating in the discussion took exception to Habib's word choice.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) issues a statement on Friday morning, calling it a "typical display of racist arrogance."
Habib used the N word in London and the students of SOAS were not having it.
— Jamie Mighti - independant analyst. (@MightiJamie) March 11, 2021
Talk about getting off on the wrong foot.
pic.twitter.com/FhlfDZJMls
In a 17-Tweet thread, Habib .provided context to the interaction, saying the video clip was taken out of context.
He said a student "suggested a staff member used the word without consequences.
"I did use the word & said: “if someone used the word ‘nigger’ against another staff member, then it would violate our policy & action would be taken," he Tweeted.
About the uproar on his reaction when addressed about using the word he wrote: "I did say that I am surprised by the reaction because I could have made the same statement in the context of the same argument back home without provoking this reaction. I did not say we use the word in SA. This is a deliberate distortion used for despicable political agendas."
