Those who can see that it upsets some people tend to not do it.

Edit: I didn't judge anything. I used an if then statement. I didn't proclaim anything a certain way, good, bad, didn't give points.

There are two things going on here. First is you're trying to make sense of why some people seem to get away with it and some don't. I'm not even sure that anyone really gets away with it in the end. It'll probably come back to bite society at some time and those who think it's OK to say might find themselves on the receiving end of it. The other issue is how does one, as a human being, respond? I mean OD is pretty good as a sounding board and a surrogate but it's still not a true substitute for when the situation rears its head again.

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You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman

I agree with all of the above. The N word for blacks toward other blacks is acceptable because of their group and the same word is an extreme negative when uttered by whites toward blacks.

However, I simply wish to note that this is totally and completely racist. You cannot have it both ways. If you want the word to have a completely different meaning based upon the color of the person uttering it, you accept the fact that you are promoting racism and this is not a good thing.

Thought I'd throw this recent news item into the mix . . .

Can't Trademark the Name "Slants"

But the Slants have been duking it out with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) over the past four years because of their name. The PTO refused the band's two trademark applications, saying that "slants" is a disparaging term for people of Asian descent. Now the band plans to take their case to a federal circuit court.

****** fetish.

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1979 Black on Black, 300CD (sold), 1990 Black 300SE, Silver 1989 Volvo 780, 1988 300CE (vanished by the hands of a girlfriend), 1992 300CE (Rescue).

I offer up as an excellent example the very word under discussion.

I agree. I don't think black people a hundred years ago called each other nigga as a term of friendship. Is it possible for whites to use it as such?

You MUST judge if someone is black enough to say the word or if they cannot. Never mind if they think they are "black enough"- it's your judgement call.

Sorry I can't. If someone wants to say it they can say it. I can only tell you how it makes me feel when I hear it and from a personal POV I hate it whenever I hear it.

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You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman

I suppose that brings us back full circle.

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You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman

Hello...I am a Honkie.
Just taking this opportunity to say hello to all the other Honkies out there.

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CHILCUTT~
The secret to a long life. Is knowing when it is time to leave.

I attempt to use words and phrases which will offend the greatest number of people in the quickest manner possible...
Typically I like to use one's that require some education to understand.
So, the N word doesn't fit my MO...

I was raised to understand that word as describing a lifestyle not a skin color. My dad used the word on a few occasions, and almost always describing white folks. Of course, there was only one black family in our neighborhood....

I think it is the height of stupidity to choose a word with such negative connotations and self apply it or apply it to your friends and peers.
So, I believe the usage of the word breaks down along the lines of intelligence.
Basically, those that routinely use the word in their social groups are uneducated idiots.
Seems to fit most of the sports figures.....

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On some nights I still believe that a car with the fuel gauge on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. - HST

1983 300SD - 305000
1984 Toyota Landcruiser - 190000
1994 GMC Jimmy - 203000

https://media.giphy.com/media/X3nnss8PAj5aU/giphy.gif

You cannot have it both ways- either a black person can say it or not. Then you must judge if they are black or not. Our president has a "white" mother and a "black" father. If he married a "white" lady would his son be able to say n***** to his friends or would he be out of line? The only thing that determines the answer to that question is how people have judged him to be- black or not black.

It is impossible to judge a person is fine saying N***** unless you also judge if they are "black" to you. Unless you think everyone can say it- then you make no judgement.

Love how you put the "emotional intelligence" in there. Are all people who say N***** emotional stupid then?

Life can't be pinned down by hard and fast rules. You'll go to your grave banging your head against this brick wall if you don't watch out.

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1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

I'm not going to make rules for other people, and if you don't recognize social context, and if you can't figure out social context then you are either on the spectrum or you're actually being mean.

I used to think, about 13 years ago that some people can say it and some can't, but actually Narwhal here convinced me otherwise.

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You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman