Disheartening Verbal Attack Strikes Home

Michael Richards had an angry outburst in which he used a select word that I shall refrain from using here. The word is a racial slur aimed at blacks. And while he was rightfully criticized, I have to question why blacks aren't criticized for using that word as well.

I'll go so far as to say that using the word for educational purposes, such as exposing as much information on history and racism to children so they can more fully understand why men like Martin Luther King, Jr. are heroes, is perfectly acceptable and even desirable. But what about people, whether white or black, who use the word in a playful manner? Do they not deride the people who suffered? And why is it okay for blacks to use the word but not whites? Doesn't any use of the word in any manner other than educational lessen the historical distaste and abuse associated with the word?

I see blacks in the streets calling each other this word, and sometimes even whites using it. I've heard it argued that blacks have suffered and if they want to use the word, let them. But exactly what black that has suffered, truly, would understand the nature of this word? It disgusts me each time I hear the word in a joking manner. It disgusts me, even if done by blacks, because it shows they don't even understand their own cultural history and the nature of the violence against their ancestors. They seem to see it more as a joke than a serious matter.

I seem to recall Martin Luther King, Jr. saying that all men should be equal.