Is there really a difference between black people and the "N" word?

[Gum control]

yes there is. the 'n' word is a word that was used by racists in the late 19th / early 20th century. it was specifically meant to inflict mental harm into their victim. much the same way çhink (for east asian people) or sþick (for latinos) was meant to harm them. no one should ever use that word, that does not mean however that the use of that word should be banned. as liberals would like.