In the early part of the 20th century the word Mick was a derogatory term for the Irish Immigrants who were first making their home in the US. In Ireland, the term Paddy was an extremely deragatory term used by the English for the Irish. Being of Irish descent I"m not sure I would choose to be offended by it, but I also didn't live in either time and I don't know what it would be like to have that term used in my direction.
Practically every ethnic group, even non ethnic group, has somesort of slur directed at them... Kikes, wops, fags, there are more... but at the risk of offending everyone on this board, I'll hush. The words themselves mean nothing. It's not the word that is offensive, it's how the word is used that is offensive.
I could tell a friend of mine that they are being a dumbass, and that would not be considered offensive, if I used the same word on a person I don't know, in a different situation, then well I might be asking to get my butt kicked.
No, using the word nigger, if you mean no offence, is not offensive, but you have to know your audience, and they have to know that you mean know offense.
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Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.
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