No. I have no problem with the use of the term in historical or litterary context (as has been done in this thread). If you read the slave narratives you will note that blacks while in slavery took to calling each other "niggers." This was due to being called that all day every day by those who either owned or had power over them. Also, and this goes into why it is currently supposedly "OK" to use it now, It devolved into a means of equating people and "putting them in their place" among the in-group. Even among people who do not use the term in normal conversation WILL use the term in reference to someone who has offended them or has otherwise acted in a "bad" manner.

The rule of thumb , which works with all "in groups" is that if you're not in the group it is in your best interest to not use any "in group" language.

Now those younger (and older) people who use the term in reference to any one of any race who happens to be in their personal 'in group" like it's no thing: They are ****ing *****s and usually haven't a clue on history aside from what little **** they got in school. And as a matter of fact 99% of these people, even in their most "free" attitude will refrain from using the term in reference to certain types of black people; which is clearly indicative that they know FULL WELL how ****ed up the usage of that particular word as a "familiar" word is to reference one another.

Anyway. This is mostly off topic and I hate hijacked threads.