How could black people own a word first used against them by whites? Ownership is by whites and beyond it being so misconstrued, I personally have been called that word in it's most derogatory way and would like nothing more than to never hear it come from the lips of my race ever again but we live in a messed up world that believes that one man created the universe and everything in it so this is just another bump in the road on the way to ???

@IAJO163

Yes. Whites used it. But it remains hate speech.

I suppose it becomes a morality issue and there is no clear right or wrong when it comes to morality.

But I believe repressed groups have the right to use language that was used against them - since it was directed at them. That's what I meant by "owning it". So in that context I'd say I have no right to use it.

If I had a black friend who insisted that I use the 'N' word for them, I would still refuse. There's enough hate in the world already.

@Ellatynemouth Ah, there's nothing like clarifying context, eh? We cool.