Author J.K. Rowling Defends Teen Poet Who Used Racial Slur

(CBS) -- A Homewood-Flossmoor High School senior will be allowed to take the stage at graduation this weekend after being banned from prom for using a racial slur during a talent-show performance.

Taiylar Ball used the N Word during a poem she recited at a school talent show. She says her intent with "Dear Black Girls" was to empower minority women, but school officials punished her by barring her from prom.

They said earlier this week Ball, 18, would be allowed to participate in graduation.

Meanwhile, she got worldwide attention, with author J.K. Rowling voicing support on Twitter for the honor student.

Ball told CBS 2 she hastily rewrote her piece to include the offensive term and should have run it by school officials first. But she stands by her creative expression.