The N word should not be used. It causes division and confusion when it is used. A black music artist uses it in a song and then someone who is not African American sings the lyrics to the song and is slammed for repeating it. To avoid all the confusion, no one should use the word. You chose not to spell it out in this article and if you did you would experience backlash but a rapper can create a popular song laden with it and it’s acceptable and that causes confusion. Eliminate the word, in public and private. Many of us as African Americans have grown up with the words in our homes and community but we can change that for our own homes. The next generation can grow up with a different mindset if we choose to teach them not to use the word.