... but not when it is used by people of other races? Or do you think the word shouldn't be used by anyone?

Recently there have been instances of people, celebrities, receiving criticism over the use of the word "nigger" or "niggar" or "niggah" when refering to other people. From the top of my head, I recall recently the daughter of Mexican singer Jenny Rivera, gathering media attention after she received criticism for sharing a video in which she candidly directed herself to her followers and said "Y'all mah niggers!"

http://www.podblanc.guru/yall-mah-niggers-chiquis-rivera-jenni-riveras-daughter_1790a5968.html

She later apoligized and said she would never use that word again. She said she often referred to her friends that way without ill intention.

It is not uncommon for some African Americans to refer to each other using that word. Sometimes that word feels like a substitute for "hey man", "dude", "brother", "friend", or sometimes a little more agressive like "you motherfucker" (still more with a challenging feel than one of racism) etc., instead of the deep rooted racist meaning that it has, particularily in the United States.

On the other hand, the President of the United States Barack Obama being African American himself has gotten some criticism for using the N-word during a podcast:

"Racism, we are not cured of. And it’s not just a matter of it not being polite to say ‘nigger’ in public. That’s not the measure of whether racism still exists or not. It’s not just a matter of overt discrimination. Societies don’t, overnight, completely erase everything that happened 200 to 300 years prior,” he said.

I think there can be different intentions behind the usage of the word nigger/niggah/whatever other variant. I think it can be used casually without racist intent or can be used with racist and pejorative intention. It is very hard and left to opinion what intention may exist behind the person who uses it though, and that can make way to the argument that this word should be frowned upon, coming from whoever may utter it, from whichever race, as to avoid allowing a racial slur pass by.

This is why I ask you:

1) Do you think it is ok for African Americans to use the word, but not the rest of the races? Don't you think it would make AA people kind of more privileged by having society sanctioning their exclusive use of a word, specially when society should strive for "equality"?

2) Do you think this word is ok to use by anyone as long as you think the word isn't being used with racist intention?

or

3) Do you think it should be frowned upon regardless of the race of the person who uses it?

Discuss.

I'm just going to put this here...

 

"A couple of G's, an R and an E, an I and an N. Just six little letters, all jumbled together, have caused damage that they may never mend. And it's important that we all respect, that if these people should happen to choose to reclaim the word as their own, it doesn't mean the rest of you have a right to its use."

Yes, as they're the ones who are negatively effected by the word they have the capacity to say when they do and don't like it being used.

Just like any piece of language though, the power is in the relation between the intentions of the user and the feelings of the recipient. I.e Just because you're black doesn't mean you can call me your "nigga", I will never respond well to being called that word regardless of someones race or closeness to me. Equally if you're white and your black friends entertain you using the words, feel free to do so in their space (not in public where you may offend others)

Does your classification of those not allowed to use it include those of black ethnicity that aren't American? Just wondering.

Yeah, I see my mistake. When I am talking about African Americans I am talking about people of black ethnicity as a whole.

I thought most ganstas uses nigga? which somehow means brother homie .

I don't think I have ever seen any african american of intellect use the word nigger (or its gansta variants) and justify it is ok to use because they are black.

I don't think anyone should use it. If you make it all to do with race then we're just dividing ourselves. We must leave these racial segregators behind including language. Either everyone can say it or no one can. Equality.

I think it shouldn't be used by any race

No one should use it. Only way to move past racism is to leave behind that mentality of us versus them.

I'm not African American but we usually use the word casually here. To be honest I think a lot of people do due to rap and pop culture in general. I understand that the word carries a lot of weight in the states (and perhaps Europe) but here its just... a word. Most Africans wouldn't get nearly as emotional as the average African American if they were called #@$^&^. The word doesn't come with as much baggage to us. Race in general is a very big deal in America, everyone I know who has visited or lives there brings it up, its crazy. I know Id think twice before saying that around an African American (and I'm black), but around my homies its totally cool.