"I don't generally think that when black people use the word they are taken as intending to convey an attitude of contempt or hatred towards all black people. That is the relevant difference."

Perhaps a key point here is that generalising about what any white or black people mean or think at any time on any subject based on whether they are white or black is a fundamental mistake.

When I've been in the right setting I have said "Nigger", the right setting being where I know that people understand and trust my motivation and the meaning and context of my words, where I know that people will not take my words and abuse them to satisfy a derogatory agenda, where I am sure that noone will be made to feel uncomfortable, victimized, bullied etc ...

I am very conscious that I do not wish to humiliate or upset anyone by being derogatory about them in any way. If a context arises where "nigger" has that effect then I apply that rule just as I would with any other words. I am considerate of peoples feelings.

I don't subscribe to the whole sacred word thing though, where certain words are shrouded in cultural taboo - "thou shalt not" - the 11th commandment. I have witnessed situations where extreme violence has been committed in the name of not violating the holy shrine of "nigger", even when it has clearly not been used to cause offence.

Somehow though it was perceived as justified "oh well - I didn't realise he'd said Nigger ... well in that case I completely understand ... he had to do it cos that guy said the N word ... ssshhhh ... sssshhhh ... you know the one ... don't say it though ... oh no not me"

Language is a voyage of discovery, and words meanings evolve as much as they become deeper over time. The true meaning of words becomes clearer to us as we get older and every word in my vocabulary is fair game to be used and experimented with as I see fit.

The issue of racism isn't about which words are allowed or not, but concerns the considerate and respectful treatment of all human beings.