Date:  Tue, 28 Oct 1997 10:08:35 -0500
From:  Ron Butters <RonButters[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]AOL.COM>
Subject: Re: PC Dictionaries?

I do think that it is important to keep in mind that there are core meanings
and peripheral meanings for most words. My intuitions tell me that, in its
core meaning, the derogatory word NIGGER is applied to darkskinned people.
Here is a little thought experiment:

Suppose a blind person walks into a room full of strangers and says, "Are
there any niggers here?" Would anyone think that the blind person meant 'any
person perceived as uncouth, immoral, or threatening, regardless of skin
color'?

*****in reply to:
DARE has evidence, both written and oral, of the use of "nigger" to refer to
"any person perceived as uncouth, immoral, or threatening, regardless of
skin color." It is used especially frequently by Black speakers. See sense
B2b.