text: the "n" word: is it better to eliminate it, or neutralize it? the "n" word was once a expression of hate and disgust.  but comedians have turned it into a laugh-generator, and hip-hop culture has turned it into an expression of affection.  if the "n" word undergoes a complete cultural change so that it is only used in a friendly way, is it acceptable?  or does the word's ugly history mean that the word can never be acceptable, even when used in a friendly way?   can the "n" word be rehabilitated into a generally acceptable word, like it is today between african-american friends? the word itself is extremely demeaning and i don't neccessarily like using it but because it was a word said to us to make us feel inferior many black people believe that we have ownership of this word thereby determining who can say it and how it will be said. the general concensus is that if you are not black and use the word it automatically reverts back to its orginal meaning whereas if a black were to say it to another black person it becomes a term of our endearment. usually it doesn't make sense to those who are not black but this is the way the majority of feel and hope it helped have better insight on the situation.