San Diego

A Superior Court judge Wednesday denied a teacher’s request to reinstate a drama course and play canceled last month after the script’s vulgarity and racial slurs brought complaints from the community.

Judge Arthur Jones said Alan DiBona, an instructor for the San Diego Community College District, did not have legal standing to bring the suit against administrators at the Educational Cultural Complex.

“This case was filed nearly a month after the class was canceled,” Jones said. “The school is entirely within its limits to permit or deny the use of its facilities.”

DiBona, who had argued that the cancellation of the class was a violation of his, and the students’, First Amendment rights, said he will appeal the decision.

The play, “Split Second,” explores the conscience of a black police officer who kills a white car thief after the thief uses racial slurs to insult him.

Dr. Robert Matthews, president of the ECC, canceled the play June 16, a week after the class started, because of what he termed “distasteful language and a display of bad taste.” However, Matthews said that the Drama 250 class was canceled because it lacked adequate enrollment.

DiBona said his students rehearsed for the play this summer and plan to perform it at Sushi gallery Aug. 1 to Aug. 24.