I don't think ANYONE should use that word, but as a white person, I'm not going to tell African-Americans what words they should or should not use in what contexts if referring to themselves or each other. I think that would be disrespectful. I don't understand it, but again, I don't think I need to. I live in the South, and any time I have heard anyone use that word, I am all over them, and I don't care what they think of me. However, I do wish that word would just die off and not be used again, ever, the same as all other racial and religious slurs against people. I just think Sherri could have handled it a whole lot more intelligently. She's entitled to her feelings, and if it upsets her to hear a white person use that word, even if in relation to reporting an incident of which that word is a prominent part, so be it. Sherri, though, seemed to attack Barbara personally, and that was the problem for me. She said when Barbara said the word, she said it differently than when Whoopie said the word, implying that Barbara was saying it in an insulting or disrespectful manner, and I sincerely doubt that. Now people on other boards are saying that BW is a closet racist and making other similar accusations, all because of what Sherri said. All Sherri needed to have said was that it upsets her to hear white people use that word, no matter what the context, and let it go at that. It was the personal attack that was offensive, and I think BW handled it very well. She could have said if Sherri truly thinks she's a racist or had any racist intentions, maybe she should go find herself another job!
