Would saying "nigga" offend an African American?  Because technically it is not racist.?
441519
I would first have to question why you would want to say the word in the first place.\n\nSecondly, the word has been so used and abused in the past, to demean and humiliate African Americans, it has become a slur when it comes from the mouth of any person who is not African American.\n\nBear in mind, I hate hearing those words altogether, specially in rap and hip hop, as those artists pretend they're reclaiming the word, when in fact, they're giving people the right to use that word against us, and to use it badly.
918140
There are black people who don not like the N' word being used by other blacks and there are blacks who choose to use it with each other. However ALL blacks agree that no white person should use it EVER. Their is no word that black people can use that carries the pain, hatred, and brutal history of slavery and the struggle for  blk freedom that the N' word does.  Their are blk senior citizens who are still afraid of white people' because of what that word means.  No one will ever have the right to abuse us again. Don't get it twisted. Until your relatives are held down and raped in-front of you , your church is burned to the ground, your windows are broken out because you moved to a NICE neighborhood, Don't even consider using that word. unless of course your a racist. I prefer to know who the enemy is. I cannot give an excuse for other blacks who use it' but we don't need anyone adding to their ignorance. and I can't even begin to say what I think about that tree remark. Oh wait,  His career is hung and done just like that statement.
1152635
People use the word racism/racist too freely. Classifying people by race itself isn't racist. African-American, in terms of darker skin or "black", is really the most politically correct term you could use. The same goes for those who are termed Caucasian or "white". Generally, some people are never satisified, but that's probably the best it's going to get. You can't expect people who don't know you well to know your ancestry. People who do not know you can only really guess your race by what they see (I don't see why they would even be talking about that in the first place). If they are incorrect, politely correct them. There's no need to get yourself all worked up. If they're using a derogatory term, that's a different conversation all together.
868584
You do know that when you say "I'm not a racist, I have black friends" it makes people a tad suspicious.\n\nAnymoo, as an African American I must say...\n\nBoth are offensive and idiotic. I wish all those words would not be used anymore. News flash, it isn't cool.
1000049
I hate the way the word is misused as well.  Seems people think it's acceptable to be insulting to people with developmental disabilities...but using the word in the way that you mention is no less offensive that using the "N" word or other racial slurs.\n\nAnd a NEWSFLASH for Elronhubbabubba.  You're reply is simply moronic and hateful.  My son has a clinical diagnosis of "mental retardation" as he has Down Syndrome and he is most definitely NOT stupid.  Assuming (and it's a stretch) that YOU have at least an average IQ, I would say that based on your reply, you are the stupid one.
103028
Some people say that the use of the n-word by some African-Americans is cullturally a way of removing the power from the word. When black people use it they become desensitized to it and it has less power when a white person uses it. I don't quite believe this is true because in high school I saw several white guys get the s*** beat out of them for using it. \nSo maybe it is a way that some African Americans have taken a small piece of power from whites. Black people can use the n-word but it is off-limits for whites. As society has continued to keep African Americans oppressed, this could be the one way they have to assert some power over whites by taking a word they used to promote hate and essentially banning the use of it by whites in mixed company.\nOne other argument could be that because of systematic racisim still present in society, some black people use the word as a form of self deprication, which illustrates the shame some African Americans have about being black. \nThe main problem with your question is you are generalizing an entire group of people. Not all black people use the n-word, and feel its casual use in society is harming. Some just simply see it as a word, while others could fall into one of the groups mentioned above. The real answer is there is no one answer. Different people use it or don't use it for reasons only they themselves know.
1019535
I don't think so.  If you say "Hey you chinc" or "What's up ni**a"  then yes that's rude and offensive.  I'm white and I grew up with many different black people and I consider many of them close friends and I never have to think twice about saying "black" because calling them "African American" is too long and official, she's my irish friend, he's my cuban friend, and they're my black friends.  Why is that offensive?
508747
Ask the black folk. Besides duh (the) dat (that) woot (would) and a host of other words in the English language they were raised with and will not pronounce, they say nigger pretty much with every breath they take. Watch how they edit the word in my answer. Yet these same people in media will air the word if a black person utters it. The person under me here is a good example of what I mean. Nigger is a no-no for white people for voting reasons. We got to get dem (them) people to vote for Democrats.
859811
It's basically saying "I can but you can't". If you make separate rules for yourself than you are playing the hypocrite. It's the same as when black people use the N word.
808325
He was real wrong to say those nasty things, but i do not see how money would help anything. what really gets me is that i hear black people say that word and not one person even gasp, yet a white guy says it and they cant believe they have heard that word. Racism knows no color. to the lady who gave an answer addressed to me. I by no means meant to offend anyone. i really did not know there was a diff. i do appreciate you explaining that to me.
119970
Actually, I don't think anybody should be using ANY of those words.  Why should anybody be derogatory about ANY race?  What's the point of that?  People are people, dear. I say ban them all!  (I've never even heard of some of those words!)
678309
I'm not black and I think that is very offensive even if it is not directed towards me.It is just an ignorant word that ignorant people use in my opinion.
144489
I am white and I would never use that word. Among our friends, I can't think of anyone who uses that word so please do not classify all whites in the same category, okay? Oh to answer your question. NO, it is not OKAY!
997926
You know, it isn't the word itself, it is what you mean when you say it.  So if you use Bushaka instead of the N word, then in essence it is just as bad as the N word if you actually mean the N word.  Remember, "negro" means "black" in Spanish, "niggardly" means "cheap" although it has nothing to do with the N word.  However, if you tell someone they have taken a niggardly approach to something, they will be insulted if they don't know what the word means. If you call some Black people "Colored" today they will want to skin you alive, but back in the 60's, many Black people preferred the term.  So, remember, it isn't the word itself, but what you mean by the word.
878252
Sincere? yes.  Is it something he had to do? yes. is he racist? yes. does he want to be racist? No! ..........let the heeling begin.\n Should black comics use the N word? No! they have a moral obligation to stop also.
901632
Technically, its not a racial term. It is just a term blacks used to identify whites who were abusive. Since it carries emotional hatred, it became a pseudo racial epithet but to be honest it is pretty weak and silly. It's basically using an old slang that meant "racist" as a racist term. See the problem?
352103
No, of course not! But I can see how someone could say it with the emphasis on the AS and make it SOUND like a profanity! But that's why you posted your question in the "words and wordplay" category...!