text: why is it ok for other races besides african-americans to say the "n" word? why is it that middle eastern or latino or even asian people can say the "n" word without repercussions? obviously it's not ok for white people to say it, but why can other races? just taking mexicans as an ex. they r a minority too and go thru a lot of the same things blacks go thru so we kinda identify with them. so they get to slide. and most of the time when a white person uses it its meant to be derogative. but i have had some white friends that were so cool with us that they use it too. the meaning of words changes over time thats what peeps have to understand.