Nobody said that. Not sure why you would start this thread and then purposely decontexualize the conversation.

It’s literally exactly that point of view. There’s no way, whatsoever, to square that with your opinion of black people cant be racist in this country. And your use of the word needs isn’t relevant, wants is the better word choice there, and yeah there’s probably a few reasons a black person would want to use that word, otherwise this wouldn’t be a topic of conversation currently.

Your last sentence just reinforces the “racism is no longer a problem” POV. You’re simply acting as if everything is a blank, equal slate. Sounds great in theory but that belies reality and history.

Now you're going to explain what I think to me. How does what I said have anything to do with a belief that "racism is no longer a problem"? And I didn't say Tim Anderson was a racist. I said he used a forbidden word.

Does Tim Anderson using that word help solve racism? Or does granting him the right to use that word when you can't make you feel better about the past? Bottom line- Tim Anderson can use whatever words he wants and so can everyone else regardless of their race. You don't have to like it.

My entire life I’ve known I can’t use that word and have black friends who have. I don’t consider us more separate because of it. It’s never occurred to me to get offended that they can use a word I can’t. So I don’t know how to answer that question except saying it’s not an issue from my perspective.

I agree on it being a better in person conversation. Let’s drag RR out of hiding and go have a drink sometime.

Yeah, that would be a good conversation. I know RR detests that word regardless of who is saying it. Ultimately though, I think it comes down to people's feelings. It's hard to say calling Herb Lawrence that word would really hurt him more than calling Julie fat. In fact, I'm willing to bet it wouldn't. He'd actually probably be more hurt by Jbills thinking he's an incel.

Either saying the word is wrong or it's not. Who is allowed to say it if it's not? What about someone who is 40% African-American? This is the problem with having different rules for different groups of people.