From some African Americans, substitute the "N-word for what Peace said about "Canucks" 07 Jan 06 - 10:49 PM, but change that "Used by an outsider, however, it has the potential to take on an offensive or derogatory tone." to "Used by an outsider, however, it is definitely offensive and derogatory."
But for other African Americans like me, we wouldn't dream of using the word to describe ourselves or other Black people we like or don't like.
It's real complicated.
As you can see, I don't even like to spell it out. BTW: for those who don't know or don't remember, the phrase "The N word" originated with the OJ Simpson trial because that corrupt policeman-what ever his name was-kept using the word and the mass media had to deal with how to report that usage without being offensive to African Americans and others who vehemently disliked the public and private use of that referent.
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And while I'm hear, what's this Black Watch in Alberta?