I can't believe Rudolph said it. He probably said some other things that weren't very nice, but it's hard to imagine a guy who's entire life has put him among black teammates, people he has grown to know, respect and like would harbor deep racist feelings.
Ironically, the people who without a doubt DO use that particular racial epithet (namely the other black players) are not called out for using a horrible, racially charged word. Again, you simply don't get it both ways. Either the word is offensive or its not. You don't get to call me a *********** ************ if you're German but you absolutely can if you're Canadian. It just doesn't work that way. If I'm offended by being called a *********** ************, it won't matter where your ancestors are from.
Pretending you have a problem when a white person uses the exact same word one of your black friends used in reference to you just moments ago is completely racist. What you are saying is "You're white, and you calling me that name carries a subtext of hatred and loathing." You are further saying that a black person calling me that doesn't carry any subtext of animosity or disrespect. Well, THAT my friends is patently racist. You are clearly and from the outset prejudiciously profiling a person due to his or her color and applying broad stereotypical descriptors to him or her without accepting the possibility that stereotypes are rarely correct on an individual basis.
At the end of the day, all the above babbling bullshit aside - The word is a horrible, mean word. As Pryor suggests, there is NO positive connotation associated with the word. From an etymological standpoint (study of the evolution of language) it is a vile, horrible word that is not only condescending, it's based on stupidity as well. So how bout NOBODY uses it, cause it's an awful word.
