I have taken awhile to really think about this issue.
I thought about why some people would consider Dr. Schlessinger use of the "N" word offensive and other would not.
Is it a double standard between the races?
Was she trying to make a point?
Or are people just to sensitive to certain words and phrases?
I guess in some instances all three purposes have been used when speaking to others.
But mostly it seems to me that many "disparaging words" are dependant upon whether or not you believe the word to be insulting.
For example:
If a person called out to a stranger "you're a b*tch", she may be very offended.
But if a stranger were to do the same to me, I would turn to them and say:
"thank you, it has taken me many years to reach this level of b*tchdom".
My best friend, if it was said to her, would look questioning at the person who called her a b*tch and say:
"you say b*tch, like it's a bad thing"?
But if ANYONE, called either of us the unmentionable "C" word (starts with c, rhymes with hunt) I suggest they run. Mostly if they said it to my best friend.
She six feet tall with a certain need to inflict bodily harm at times. lol
What it comes down to is, it's not about whether the word itself is offensive.
Or even if the person saying the word is trying to be offensive.
It comes down to whether or not you are offended by the word.
Words can only hurt if you let them.