Don't use the word and you won't have any problems, will you?

Oh, c'mon. You can call your brother an MFer, but if I do, you hit me. C'mon. Be real. What's your real complaint?

This has been answered quite a few times on this site, and (from the ones I have seen) recieved really good answers. Try searching for the answer on the site. But for a quick answer: context changes. (ex: Ever been to highschool? Notice how the group of unpopular kids call themselves "losers" and "nerds" and are fine with it? But then if an outside group throws the same words at them they are offended? Why is that? Because the context changes. Suddenly its a word to bring them down and reminds them of what they aren't/of them being opressed).

I suppose if you're called something derrogatorily for such a long time you try to call yourself that in order to make it seem trivial and not so painful.

this is a totally good question, no one seems to know the answer. did you ever wonder why the media only focus on white crime against black, when there is so much more black crime against white?

takes the pain out of it there are 340 something years where white people got to say it and it wasnt a big deal you had your time why would you want to say do you like that word our president is black how do you think he would answer this question

Its socially accepted that if a white person uses the term is derrogatory, whereas a 'black' person can use it freely. Social constructs are what they are, there isn't always a logical explaination to them, they are often just because.

Fact from fiction, truth from diction, I am African American, I don't use it to greet my African American friends and I am appalled how these dumb youngsters use it like there is nothing wrong with it. You can drop the 'R' all you want, “nigga” is still just as bad. The notion that you have to say it out loud often to detoxify it, nonsense. The Pepsie generation don't know how much blood was shed or the fight fought so they even have the right to disrespect themselves like that. They would think a whole lot different about it if it were used, and used often whether they liked it or not. I know people say if you are in the minority it doesn't mean anything like the pot calling the kettle black. But the pit can call the kettle something great not try to elevate a saying that is in the gutter from the get go. A skunk will always smell like one even if you call its oder Fresh Morning Bliss.

I partially disagree Everyone has freedom to say what they please, that cannot be stopped. However, saying nigger as a non-black to a black is most likely to be offensive and rude. You need to understand the history, the origination and impact of the word. Then again, amongst black friends who use the word openly without intended offence and you being white and not being able to say it. Then yes suppose you are being excluded as you want to belong. Just think wisely and stay safe

Because it's a racist term and when someone says it the people who hear it try to figure out whether they intend to be racist. If it's a black person who says it, there's a (not unreasonable) presumption that the speaker doesn't hate black people. If it's someone of a different group, it's not unreasonable to conculde that the speaker does hate black people and wants to hurt them.

The caucasian use of the word has always been a derrogatory, meant to put down a race of people. Black people have since taken back the word, created ownership of a term normally seen as vial, used it as part of their own cultural coloquialism, and in turn made an effort to remove some of the pain associated with the word. That being said, white people have no valuable reason to use the word, ever. Black people have every right to, wether it is used in a positive or negative way. To think anything else discounts the Black historical experience. Part of cultural sensitivity is understanding these types of things from the other person's perspective. Oh, and BTW, I'm caucasian.

To truly test your statement go up to a group of black men and ask them. Either you will understand before you ask or wish you had understood after you asked.

sidenote: I hope you asked this question in the realm of learning and not to hurt which is why a lot of people do it.

It's a psychological thing. When people get called derogatory names a lot, taking them back and using them makes them feel like they have some control of it. Though personally, I don't think I would use it even if I were black.

I got this Definition from Dictionary.com nig⋅ger    /ˈnɪgÉ™r/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [nig-er] Show IPA Usage note: The term nigger is now probably the most offensive word in English. Its degree of offensiveness has increased markedly in recent years, although it has been used in a derogatory manner since at least the Revolutionary War. Definitions 1a, 1b, and 2 represent meanings that are deeply disparaging and are used when the speaker deliberately wishes to cause great offense. Definition 1a, however, is sometimes used among African-Americans in a neutral or familiar way. Definition 3 is not normally considered disparaging—as in “The Irish are the niggers of Europe” from Roddy Doyle's The Commitments—but the other uses are considered contemptuous and hostile. –noun 1. Slang: Extremely Disparaging and Offensive. a. a black person. b. a member of any dark-skinned people. 2. Slang: Extremely Disparaging and Offensive. a person of any race or origin regarded as contemptible, inferior, ignorant, etc. 3. a victim of prejudice similar to that suffered by blacks; a person who is economically, politically, or socially disenfranchised. I will admit I use the word Nigger. But I have nothing against any member of society regardless of the color of their skin. When I say Nigger I am not referring to a specific Race of people. I am referring to.. Any person that is perfectly capable of holding a job, yet insists on sitting around taking handouts from the Government and popping out more kids to get more Welfare. I do not care if they are White, Black , Yellow, Green , or Purple if you can work find a job and save the Welfare system for what it was intended for, to help people in times of need to make it through tough times.

to me its the word with the same meaning people just want bitch when a white, mexican or any other race says it.