Monash University tutor accused of using racial slur in cultures class

A Monash University tutor allegedly told students he’s “allowed” to use the racial slur because his wife is Kenyan.

Teaching associate Gary Lacey. Picture: Supplied.

Students have been left outraged after a Monash University tutor allegedly used a racial slur repeatedly during a popular cultures class.

Teaching associate Gary Lacey has been accused of using the n-word “quite liberally” in the “From Freud to Friends: Ethnic Identity in Popular Culture” tutorial at the university’s Clayton campus on Monday.

It’s understood Mr Lacey claimed to use the slur for the “purpose of analysis” and argued that his wife was Kenyan so he was “allowed” to say it.

The unit co-ordinator sent an email to students on Monday night, confirming the incident.

“I’m writing to let you know that I’ve been informed of an incident that occurred in a tutorial today, and that it is currently being looked into,” he said.

“As always, if you have any concerns, you can contact me anytime.”

A Monash University tutor allegedly used a racial slur during a cultures class. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Student Meredith Leviston, who attended Mr Lacey’s second class of the day, told the Herald Sun the tutor repeated the slur after being criticised for using it.

“The tutor received a phone call from the unit co-ordinator who hung up after being informed that the tutor was in the middle of teaching,” she said.

“After that he said to the whole class ‘that was probably about a student who got offended by my use of the n-word’ … he then proceeded to tell us about the incident.”

Ms Leviston said she felt “very uncomfortable”.

“It made the entire class very uncomfortable including myself,” she said.

“That word has a lot of stigma surrounding it, even when used within an academic context.

“The tutor chose to use that word knowing that it is a word that is likely to offend someone and because the word was not necessarily used within the context of the discussion.”

The class covers ways in which ethnic identities have been represented in popular culture throughout the twentieth century, taking case studies from representations of Jews, Italians, African-Americans, and Asian-Americans.

A Monash University spokeswoman said the incident was under investigation.

“The university is investigating student complaints from a recent tutorial,” she said.

“An alternative tutor has been allocated to the tutorial while the matter is being investigated.”

The spokeswoman said the university doesn’t tolerate racism.

“Monash University is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive and respectful environment for everyone and are proud of our richly diverse and culturally inclusive community,” she said.

“Monash does not tolerate racism of any kind.

“We encourage our staff and students to report any type of behaviour they believe is inappropriate to our respectful communities team or the relevant authorities.

“The health, safety and wellbeing of the entire Monash community is our priority.”