Anyway.....I hear you...it may not apply universally but, it's not so much the negative connotation that the word frequently implies...that is harmful...it is the manner in which we use it to reinforce our own stereotypes....I mean using it as a term of of "endearment"I don't necessarily agree with either....but, far too often "nigga" is used to as a concession to ignorance, laziness,etc......."niggas always...","niggas ain't shit".....
Now as much as some of us adhere to the "new
equal opportunity/affirmative action/rainbow coalition definition of the word" it always to me that we're referring to godd ole' black folk whenever I hear it.....