Tenant Using Racial Slurs

[Christopher Freeman]

We received a message from a tenant who lives in a shared apartment letting us know that their roommate used a racial slur and that it made them uncomfortable. The slur was not directed at them, I believe it was simply overheard (although I was not able to make out full context from the message).

This building is rented by the room and our renters don't always get to choose their roommates, so we do feel like we have a slightly higher responsibility to help mediate interpersonal issues. Having said that, I'm not really sure what my role should be in a situation like this. On the one hand, I find such language extremely distasteful and can understand why someone wouldn't want to hear it in their living space. On the other, individuals have a right to free speech even if it is offensive, and there is nothing under the law or our lease which limits this.

I'm curious how others would respond to this message, if at all.