I've actually watched the documentary The N Word now and my feelings and thoughts about it have remained about the same.
The usage of the word is still troubling despite what people say about redefining its meaning and giving it a different kind of power, or really, stripping it of its power. But the bottom line is that whether you are using the "er" ending or just saying nigga, it is still unwelcome by some people and overused by others.
There were many different celebrities in this film that provided their opinions about it. Whoopi, Samuel L. Jackson, Chris Rock, Ice Cube... and many others. Most people said that it's definitely a word that is welcome depending on the people or family when it is black person to black person, but white people have no business saying it. I pretty much believe that much is true.
The film goes into the origin of the word, and its usage during the slave trade and the changing of the spelling and all that. The past history of this word is mostly negative, which is why using it today is so controversial. Many people want to take the word and make it powerful in a positive way, but there are also many, many people who can never let go of what it used to be used for.
One of the questions that I asked of myself, or the N-word-using people, was addressed during the documentary. If I remember correctly, the inclusion of "nigga" in a song makes it acceptable to use it in that context. Okay, that's kind of a relief. Considering how many people there are of all races & ethnicities that listen to rap/hip-hop music, it would be hard to avoid.
My potential problem would be using the word more and more in daily life, because I pick up mannerisms and vocabulary in a snap. And I am not about to start talking to people like I am someone I'm not... What's up, nukka? No. If any friend of mine who is black says nigga to me I know that they are obviously not trying to offend me, it's an affectionate sort of term. But will I call them up and say What's up my nigga? Nah. Because would they be like, Hey dego how you doin?! Or What's up cracker?.... Probably not!
In general it boils down to the tolerance of the word by individuals. Just as we are raised practicing different religions or customs, some families probably teach each other that using nigga is not okay and it is demeaning to black people, whereas others may be raised in a family where it common to hear It's time to eat, niggas!
Whatever the case, practicing respect for your fellow man or woman, regardless of their ethnic background, is a step in a positive direction.
