Is it now socially acceptable for white people to say the n word? [View all]

[IVoteDFL]

I started a new job recently that tends to employ mostly college students and other very young people. I'm in my late twenties and am one of the oldest people there. I notice a lot of differences between their generation and mine, but one of the most jarring examples is how freely they use the n word, even in front of black people or directly to them. Even the AA managers seem to have no problem with this.

Now I admit they aren't using it in a malicious way, often it's done singing rap songs (we arent allowed electronics so it's pretty common to get a large group singing to pass the time) or its in a greeting "what up ----" but it makes me feel slightly uncomfortable. I'm sure white people who listen to rap music and sing along have been doing this for years, but I remember a time when you at least had the decency to do it in privacy, not at work where about half of our workforce are minorities.

Am I being overly sensitive about this? As a white person is it even my place to say anything about it? I would feel sort of stupid going to my black manager to complain about this. I'm also one of only a handful of women at this company and I rarely feel comfortable complaining about anything since I feel like I have more to prove.