Opinion ID: 716258
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Verbal Abuse and Excessive Force Claim

Text: 3 The district court dismissed Worthon's verbal abuse and excessive force claims under Rule 12(b)(6). Although racial slurs are unprofessional and deplorable, they do not constitute a deprivation of constitutionally protected rights, Patton v. Przybylski, 822 F.2d 697, 700 (7th Cir.1987); McDowell v. Jones, 990 F.2d 433, 434 (8th Cir.1993), and an allegation of such a deprivation is an essential element of a § 1983 action. 42 U.S.C. § 1983. We affirm the dismissal of the verbal abuse claim. 4 The dismissal of Worthon's excessive force claim presents a problem. The court may not look beyond the parties' pleadings when considering a Rule 12(b)(6) motion: if matters outside the pleading are presented to and not excluded by the court in connection with a motion to dismiss, the district court must treat the motion as one for summary judgment pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56. See Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b). Here, although the district court dismissed Worthon's excessive force claim under Rule 12(b)(6), it relied upon defendants' representation, supported by affidavit, that Worthon had failed to seek medical attention for his arm. It also stated that Worthon did not dispute that fact. The defendants' affidavit is the problem because it was presented to and not excluded by the court, and was relied upon by the district court in reaching its decision. Because the district court erred in treating the disposition as a Rule 12(b)(6) dismissal rather than as a summary judgment, Lewis v. Faulkner, 689 F.2d 100 (7th Cir.1982), we vacate the dismissal of the excessive force claims and remand it for further proceedings.