Son accused of saying the "N-word"

So my third grader got in trouble for using the "n-word" today. The story I heard from the principal, is that he was goofing off during breakfast and another child threatened to tell on him, so my son called him the "n-word" and the "s-word". The principal took a couple hours of the afternoon to investigate and talk to my child and eventually my son confessed and apologized. I was called to make sure I reinforce the idea that you don't call people hurtful names when you are angry, which I totally agree with. That nothing further will come of it, just make sure that it doesn't happen again.The issue is (cue every teacher violently rolling their eyes) my son didn't do it. My sons side of the story is less plausible than the other kid and his friends, and I don't really blame the principal for not believing him. My son says that he confessed because the principal told him that I would be called and my son thought that he would get in more trouble for arguing with the principal. My son is on the spectrum and gets very nit picky and argues a lot, it's pretty much the only issue I have with him and therefore the majority of the time that he is punished, it is for arguing.I know my son, he is awkward, nerdy, and doesn't have any friends outside of school. I know when he is lying, and I know that he has no idea what the n-word is. When I questioned him about the s-word, he wasn't sure which one it was supposed to be? I honestly wonder if any of the kids that were backing up the accuser actually ever said the actual word or just said "n-word".He's not being punished further for it. I'm inclined to let it drop, because I know that if I were to go in to talk to the principal, it would just make me seem crazy. On the phone, he came off very much like he was just calling to give me a script to help talk my son through his problem, he'd made up his mind.I'm just worried. This kid has this pretty effective weapon to use against my son any time he feels like it. And because my son confessed, there's no reason not to believe him. The majority of the school is black, I'm scared that now he's going to be known as the racist kid. He's already has a difficult time making friends.I guess I'm just wondering if there's anything I can do that won't make it worse? I mean, any argument from me is just going to fall on deaf ears, right? I feel so helpless. Should I just drop it, and hope it doesn't happen again? via /r/Parenting http://ift.tt/2bfBftS