I have a friend here in Atlanta who uses the word all the time. He's a Black dude and the first time he said to me, "N...., we should get some Braves tickets," I was floored.

Blacks in the US have flipped the word to empower themselves, but I'm still not allowed to use it and I'm very happy with that because if it ever flies out of my mouth I'd be very ashamed. But if it enters my brain I can safely say it's because I hear it so often from my friend. It's never even come close to coming out of my mouth though. Not even in jest to my friend. It's their word. Only Blacks have the right to use it, in my opinion.

Sometimes I overhear white kids using it with each other and I want to slap them.