Kevin, the only thing I would like to point out is that, because of the colour of their skin a "paddy" or a "mick" could camoflauge themselves and maybe escape persecution etc. Anyone with so-called black skin could not masquerade as anything but black. That as well as the fact that people of colour were enslaved in such a widespead way for so long, in my mind, makes the "n" word, for I refuse to print it or say it, much worse. It really did come down to white vs black as far as how one was/is treated in society.

We just had our one and only American of African descent principal quit his job due to what he says was blatant racism...people saying things like "I suppose you're going to turn this school into a n****er school, now." In that instance and many more, the only thing anyone sees is the skin colour.

With respect,

kat