Part of the problem with talking as a medium is that people might not see the scare quotes implied around certain freighted terms such as “nigger.” But again there are other clues such as tone of voice which do not come across in print.
And yet again, people should get a chance to clarify. Even communications experts may have to speak more than once to get their meaning across.
I think professors should stick to the text books. Less trouble that way. I certainly wouldn’t speak about that topic they were regardless if the students Wanted it or not and most certainly if I still wasn’t tenure. Probably a good thing to get rid of this professor. Doesn’t have a bit of common sense anyway.