Hi everyone. I realize this topic is four years old, but it touches on a topic that my friends and I have discussed many a times. I do not want to offend anybody and if I do, please let me know. I sometimes have trouble wording things. Just a little background on me... I am white. My parents were never married, so I grew up in two very different neighborhoods which I think has helped me be a well rounded individual. One neighborhood was predominately white and in the other we were the only white family. The color of skin is not one of the first things I notice. However I do live in the south. I overheard someone say the N word one day when I was about 5 and when I went home I said something with that word in it. My mom smacked me across my face and I haven't said that word sense. Personally,the N word makes me cringe whenever I hear it. I think it makes people sound uneducated and direspectful. As someone said earlier, African-Americans call each other Ni..a and it is perfectly acceptable, however if someone outside of that race (with the exception of extremely close friends) says it, it is an extremely hurtful phrase that can cause fights and riots. Its kind of like girls calling each other sluts, hoes, whores, etc... it is okay for girls to call other girls that, but as soon as a boy calls a girl one of those names, a smackdown is in order. I have an 8 year old brother. He picks up on a lot of phrases he shouldn't...however in my opinion some of the phrases he picks up on shouldn't be said in his presence. The problem I have with groups being able to call members of their groups names without consequences is children pick up on the phrases and start using them. They see girls calling each other hoes and laughing it up, but the minute they say the phrase they get smacked and get into severe trouble. Every group has an adjective that is hurtful when used by people not in their group (and sometimes by people in their group)...African-Americans-Ni..a, White folks-Cracker, Gays- Fag...And I am as guilty as the next person for calling my girl friends sluts, hoes, and homewreckers.... but what I don't understand is why we have to use the words at all...why do we have to teach the next generation these spiteful words? Sorry my post got so long, and again it was not my intention to offend anyone and I am really sorry if I did. Thanks for any input...Elicia