A reader writes:
You make a very salient point about the changing culture of America. I work in the software industry. It is pretty common to have a young, more progressive (yet still predominantly white male) engineering staff, with Imus-aged rich white guys running the company. I've had many discussions with the old guard who are very disturbed by the fact that racially charged words have different effects in different contexts. "How is it that a rapper can say the n-word but a white guys can't?!!"
This always creeps me out. The world is full of double standards. Congratulations, you found another one. Now, why again is it that it pisses you off that you can't say the n-word without being labeled a racist?