my friend said, "it is never, ever okay for white people to say (n-word)."

[loyalsister]

144. Any and all, I guess

Our points of view stem from our personal intellectual growth which is driven by our environments, available content, and strategies for learning. Some of that is handed to us and accepted without hesitation or questioning, sometimes forced on us, sometimes we seek it ourselves. To deny the validity in absolute is not necessarily fair. They gathered and digested information on their terms.

Obama referenced white people who don't feel their privilege and blame affirmative action. I think "white people who don't feel their privilege" is an enlightened and sympathetic phrase. It encompasses many elements of what may drive a disposition of resentment. Economic strife, lack of education, lack of interaction, negative experiences, lack of interest in questioning their lot in life beyond what they've been told. Having some respect for the intellect of a person who has come to conclusions on that basis isn't such a bad thing.

Behavior and expression is a whole different discussion, though.