The Meanings of a Word

I thought that Naylor handled an ugly topic tastefully and intelligently. I cannot decide when and where the word "nigger" is appropriate in the Black community. As a Caucasian, this word is taboo in my vocabulary--too many racists (both white and other racists) have used this term to demean and degrade blacks.

But Naylor makes a great point--if the black community takes that ugly word and makes it their own, then the word loses its power. There is no need to ignore that the word exists. It does, and it is disgusting. But if a positive spin can be put on a negative word, then it ought to be.