“Does that offend you? Well I don’t know why.”

That’s the really offensive part. Ultimately, it’s all about context. Saying it solely because you like to say it is really offensive.

The notion of African-Americans using the N-word to rob it of its power was largely started by Richard Pryor. Even that is controversial within the black community. But at least there’s a reason there for them to say it. What’s these peoples’ reason?