[JRutledge]

Why does every person want to make this issue about me and what I say?

I am just one person. I am also not the only person that does not give Ts for this word automatically. I went for years and did not have to really face this issue because I worked in all white school games. I was lucky in some cases if a single Black player showed up when I was officiating anything. I am revealing what I do and what many other officials (that are my color) handle the situation. I was conflicted when I first heard the words and did not know what exactly to do. So I asked around and found that the veterans did not take this "automatic" stance that most here are suggesting and handled it similar to the way I have decided to.

I will say this again, if you feel that a T is the way to handle this situation, not only do you have that right, but the rules do not specifically say what is considered "racially insensitive" or what is "inappropriate." That judgment comes from us, not the rules. People use different speech patterns based on where they live and where they are from. I have spent some time down south over the years and heard slang terms that no one used where I was from. I have some close friends from East St. Louis area and they talk different that folks from Chicago that are of the same race. Not all of these words are obvious words that we all would identify as "inappropriate."

Peace