ia is a tic—a behavior that occurs because of a short circuit in the impulse control system, not a truly volitional act. It is as difficult to control as an eye blinking or a finger-tapping tic, and should not be punished. In some cases the person with TS may argue that it simply cannot be controlled at all. In the book titled “My own *censored*”, by Lewis Crighton. He tells of his personal struggles with Coprolalia: I just couldn’t help it and I knew it was coming but I also anticipated it. The woman was black and very large she was coming toward me, begging me. I blurted out “fat nigger”, not once but twice and although I know better, at that moment I didn’t. And I felt relieved but guilty and I wish I could tell you that’s why I said it. Just to feel that emotion. I just know it’s not so easily explained.You can just imagine what kind of embarrassment you’d feel if all you could think of was harsh words in stressful situations. I can’t imagine how that person felt and discrimination and Coprolalia aren’t rare. It seems to happen on both ends as well. In Landsing Michigan, a grocery store fired an employee whose Tourettes syndrome causes him to swear at customers. The 22 year old utters obscenities particularly when under stress. He had been working for 10 months when he was fired after an outburst had offended some black customers. He is suing the company stating that he is protected under the disability act. (Court TV online). His lawyer claims that he can’t control it especially while under stress. And he is likely to say, the word, “nigger” when talking to African Americans as when he is talking to women and calling them, “bitch” (Michigan 1).There are as well more mild cases of coprolalia. And one man who had found a way to control it. He just managed to channel it into what sounded like a smokers cough. Althoug...
