A BLACK security guard has been reinstated after he was fired for asking a student not to use the n-word.

Marlon Anderson was reprimanded after he repeated the word while asking a black student to stop addressing him with it.

The Wisconsin school’s decision to fire Anderson over the incident prompted students and staff to protest. They demanded that Anderson, a father-of-three who has worked for Wisconsin’s Madison Metropolitan School District for 11 years and has ongoing health issues, was rehired.

In a message posted on Facebook yesterday, Anderson announced his reinstatement. 

“Thank you to the 1,000 plus students for allowing your voices to be heard and to all the people from across the globe for reaching out to my family,” he wrote.

As per the terms of Anderson’s reinstatement, he will be placed on paid administrative leave and will return to working at the school as soon as the plan for his transition back to work is finalised.

In the meantime he will receive full pay and benefits.

The Madison Metropolitan School District has a zero tolerance policy on staff using racial slurs, meaning the context of usage is not taking into account in such incidents.

Writing on Facebook about what happened last week Wednesday, Anderson said: “Short story….I get called a b**** a** n**** by a student, I responded do ‘not call me n****!’ And I got fired. [Madison Metropolitan School District] I unfortunately expected better.”

Anderson was represented by his union Madison Teachers Inc (MTI), which filed a grievance on his behalf over his termination.

“MTI is pleased to see the district rescind the termination of Marlon Anderson, paving the way for him to return to the incredible work he does with Madison’s students. We now look forward to working with the district to review and address its zero tolerance policy,” MTI executive director Doug Keillor said.

While he is happy that the decision to fire him has been overturned, Anderson is now committed to ending the controversial policy.

Speaking to local news outlet Madison365, Anderson said: “I feel a lot better, but it appears this policy is still intact.

“The policy needs to be dealt with as well. I’m still fighting that. I am transitioning my fight. I am no longer just trying to get my job back, I’m fighting to end a policy that’s not effective.”

Gloria Reyes, the president of the Board of Education, has said the district will review its policy on racial slurs.