i don't see a problem with it unless their is hate in the use of it. i say it all the time with alot of my black friends, there is no cause for concern b/c they know that i'm not telling them something in a hurtful or racise manner, its just how we've become that its "no one's word" because if it was that big of a deal NO ONE should say it, yet if my friends tell me they are cool with it then why not. i don't use it around some people out of respect but more so b/c those are the people that i haven't either known and they would probably take offense OR the fact that they themselves are racist and i can see it being an issue (even though it would be a double standard) thats my 2 pennies worth