Hadn't heard of this "controversy" and read some of the comments here detailing what apparently occurred. Sounds like, and correct me if incorrect, that the presenter quoted a patient's response to a WAIS item query during some presentation that apparently was about unusual, off topic, or otherwise deemed inappropriate responses to the questions presented in the assessment.
So my understanding here is that the presenter presented the quoted statement verbatim which included a racial slur. On one hand, I think obviously would have been appropriate to censor the word while still getting the point of the quoting of the patient across for the professional reasons of the presentation.
On other hand it also sounds like this was completely blown out of proportion, the response comes across as pearl clutching. Could the presenter have utilized better professional judgement here, absolutely. But that is common sense that'd you'd censor or edit the word.
I'm quite sure many of us have had patients say some pretty offensive things and use racial slurs in their speech and when talking. A concern I would have here is as psychologists, and the midlevels as well, is that in professional settings especially with patient, we should not be reactionary or emotionally reactive towards a patient we're treating. Professionalism matters. I remember in grad school a professor in some session simulations noted students who displayed visible reactions to "patient" statements and reminded students that it's important to be mindful of both our verbal and body responses and reactions.
I also wonder how , upon casual observation of society in general , that people are more easily offended by more things these days. Obviously the word in question IS offensive, it IS racist, and it IS degrogatory. But what about other situations, statements, etc that people seem to be "offended by," and does this actually dilute the seriousness and focus we should have on actually offensive and racist things being said (i.e. the word in question) directed at another person or group.
Obviously the word should not have been used by the patient and should not have been repeated verbatim (common sense) during this presentation. However, I'm cautious and concerned about people who want to bring out the pitchforks for someone quoting someone else during what I assume was a professional presentation among professionals. I worry if psychologists are visibly offended by things said in the context of treatment or assessment that this also could be a clouding of judgement. I would say it would be a clinical judgement call when dealing with these slurs being said to you during a session or assessment. You can speak out against these things while also maintaining professionalism.
Now if the presenter was using the slur in their own words or directed at the patient or describing the patient (or anyone else) yes that is something to be outraged about and to speak out strongly against. But that does not sound like the case here?
I think the comedian Bill Burr has a bit on something like this, not the N-word but other words.