Dr. Laura used the N-Word, but don't some of us use it too?

Is there a double standard when it comes to the N-word? Is it O.K. for blacks to use it to describe themselves in derogatory ways but not O.K. for whites to use it even in academically?

The N-Word issue popped again this week when Dr. Laura Schlessinger announced on August 18, 2010 that she would end her radio show, a week after she broadcast a five-minute-long rant in which she used the N-word 11 times.

A caller was appalled by Schlessinger's use of the N-word, the radio host said, "Oh, then I guess you don't watch HBO or listen to any black comedians. My dear, the point I am trying to make ... [is that] we've got a black man as president and we've got more complaining about racism than ever. I think that's hilarious."

Their exchange heated up after that. When the caller said she couldn't believe Schlessinger was "on the radio spewing out" the N-word, Schlessinger said she "didn't spew out" the N-word and repeated, "n****r, n****r, n****r is what you hear on HBO."

Is Doctor Laura right? Do we routinely use the N-Word to describe ourselves in conversation, laugh at ourselves in jokes and to belittle ourselves when we are angry. Do we even do it in public? Do our comedians use it HBO and in our music and we laugh?

It was extremely bad taste for Dr. Laura to repeat the N-Word on her broadcast 11 times in five minutes.

It is just as bad for us to repeat it even once among ourselves.

It does not refer to the best in us but to the worst that has been done to us and still remains in us. That's why we should not use it at all.

What should we say, then? Philippians 4:8 gives us a clue: "..whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

Will we ever stop using the word?

N-please!