Many children today, while familiar with the N word, do not have any idea of its meaning nor its historical signifigance. I taught school for many years and recall confronting some children on the playground who were calling each other the N word and asking them why they would use that word. They explained that they had learned the word from TV and rap records and they honestly thought it meant "Buddy" or "Brother", since it was used in this way by comedians and rap artists. They were shocked when I told them that I'd rather hear the F word than the N word.