Racism is not a simple issue. In American culture at least, the things that are accepted for black people to say about themselves do not apply to other races. That does not make them hypocrites. The word was, and is still used by other races (particularly whites) as a derogatory term for blacks and a sign of disrespect. When we realized how wrong racism was, the word stayed as a sign of disrespect and hate from a person of a different race to a black person. Black people flipped the script and it became a term of endearment, sometimes of empowerment for the race. Why, I am not sure. Possibly because it reminded them of the struggle they endured. Now it's used as a common word from one black person to another, like brother I guess, but less 60s and more informal. Why can't other races say it? The real question is why would we want or need to say it? If you're talking about the word itself in a conversation, I don't see the reason why it's so forbidden, besides the fact that it may be a little too much for some to swallow, just like any other profanity. I have used it around black people, not to them, unless as a sarcastic joke between me and a close black friend who's comfortable with me using it as a joke. But I have used it when talking about the word or quoting someone or something. Besides that, is there that much of an urge to use the word? The only reason I think would be as a racial slur, which is and should be forbidden. But you need to understand the power a single word or symbol can hold. It is too much for many to stomach. Jews don't go around drawing Swastikas because that is something that is just too horrific to be reminded of. But the n word is just a word that blacks took from racist whites to remind them of their struggle or just to be used as a term of endearment. The word is not restricted if you feel comfortable saying it, but those situations might not come often. Respect other races and their sensitivity.
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