I hate hearing the word in the mouth of African Americans. But I also understand that the use is an effort to reappropriate the word, to make it work for rather than against them. As I said somewhere else, I don't think it works. Gays do the same with "queer," and although in some contexts (like in literary theory, where "queering" involves a specific deconstruction of heteronormative discourse) it works, for the most part I don't think it works at all. Reappropriation just doesn't work, I think, for any of marginalized group. Anyway, I agree with the discomfort at hearing the word used.

+1

I really really really have trouble
wrapping my head around their stance
on the contraception issue.

it really really really doesn't make sense

but then as you've already pointed out.......

I guess I may be weird, but black people calling
themselves, and each other that pretty much goes
in one ear & out the other, same as gays calling
each other, "Mary" or "Miss 'Thing'" since truth be
known, neither are my domain.

I also pretty much make a point not to engage in
FAUX OUTRAGE particularly with people who were
every bit as quick to throw stones when THAT was
"The 'IN-THING' To Do" among ones peers.


That said;
I'm the first to fly to the defense of someone
being abused by someone outside their circle.