Words hurt, whether we like to think so or not. That's why we have something called "verbal abuse." That's why a kid who is told they are no good, day in and day out, will have low self-esteem and a hard time through life, without help.

I think Carlos Mencia, comedian with his own show on the Comedy Network, does a good job of using all sorts of no-nos in illustrating how PCness may have gone to far, but his real goal is to teach us all NOT to stereotype, to realise we are just human "beans."

That said, NO, I do not think the N word needs to become common in its usage, again. There are too many right-wing bigots who would leap at the chance to be seen as more legitimate through free-rein in using such language. Plus, I don't want children like my grandchildren to ever be the subject of assholes who would think it was acceptable to call them "niggers." I know there are some anyway, but letting it creep back into everyday language would be a huge step backward, imo. And, that goes for any other racial epithet, too.

kat