The definition of the "N" word has changed over the years, but who can "use" it?

I think black people shouldn't say either because it still is a word that divides races. If 2 black kids are hanging out with a white kid and they call each other the n-word the white kid just wanting to be friendly is going to want to say the word too because he will always feel like an outsider if he can't great them in the friendly manner they great each other.

But on the other hand I am one of the few African Americans who feel this way. And I do agree why does it really matter so much to White Americans. Okay you can't have this one word you have all the other words to use plus you run the world, is it really so horrible that black people have this one thing.

By educating humans (like the ones ignorantly answering you right here) the reality. That one million. Magic is neither well nor evil this is a software, What makes it well or evil is how it's used. two. Magic isn't just like the early Christians depicted it, neither is it like what you've got obvious within the films or on TV. Magic is refined and does now not want Religion, Deities, nor the CHRISTIAN Demons, Devils nor Satan (all 3 are Christian ideals, now not the ones of witches, Wiccans nor Pagans.) to do magic. Those who preserve the ones tirades towards humans who train Magic or Pagan ideals or religions are simply humans and to mention they're evil simply on account that they aren't following the so known as Christian subculture isn't permitting those humans their rights to train their ideals that's covered beneath the Bill of Rights. Sorry, however folks that replied earlier than me I determined impolite and disrespectful of yours and others perception.

I personally don't like the word. As a history teacher I do say it in class. Not in reference to students obviously (that would successfully get me fired) but in the guise of learning (reconstruction is boring for most jr high kids. using that word allowed tends to snap them back into paying attention - thats how ingrained the stigma of the word is) All in all, I think it is demeaning but so are all the other words Yahoo seems fit to replace with little astericks. People will continue to use it no matter how anyone else feels, and in fact, in spite of how anyone else feels. Its no different then white people making blonde jokes. Its still demeaning but means nothing really. (Unless you are hyper sensitive).

Okay... I've tried explaining this to white people for years... Here I go again.

We invented the term. We used it for four hundred years. Our ownership of the word has run the hell out. We've overstayed our lease and now it's done. Black rappers have taken over the lease. They've redecorated. Repainted. And they are completely allowed. Because we don't OWN it anymore.

Word of wisdom? Move on.

Way too much attention paid to this kind of thing. Generally. At this point it's just another scam people use to get over on other people. Let's start being for real with one another and using some respect. That kind of crud will disappear.

I don't think anyone should use it. Its a bad term and when white people say it African Americans get offended, but many of them us it everyday and therefore easily confuse people who don't know its a bad word. Also its not fair to only let one race say that word. I mean I could say white people could be the only ones to say the word white, but that's stupid.

I think this sort of stuff comes down to trying to be nice. If you're in a group that gets abused by this sort of word and you want to reclaim it (or redecorate with it, as someone above called it), that's fine.

If you're not in the group and you use it, then you're just being mean for the sake of being mean. So then, the word tells us more about you than about anybody you'd be talking about. If you're white and you use it, then you're saying "Look at me! I'm a jerk, and probably a bigot!" If you're black, and you're using it to someone who understands you aren't being mean, then you're saying something else entirely.

ok...The way blacs say it to eachother is " *****", when people are saying it as a bad thing it is the "n" word. Mostly blacks use this term, but there are alot of Hispanics that say it as well...I don't understand the Hispanic point of view, personally I find it rude, as if a white person were to say it its rude..Different people have different sayings, Hispanics used "Homey" or "Esay". It is a term that I feel should only be used by Blacks themselves

Why does this bother white people so much? The fact that you want to use this word so badly proves that you shouldn't use it at all! I'm with the person who said that this issue is for black people to figure out..

The best policy is not to refer to race at all! People are people, and each person is different. Classifying people into races simply draws attention to the superficial.