It's about time for people who are not African Americans to stop using the word period!!! My husband of 25 years is black and my son is mixed but I would never think to use that word, ever!!! It's not something that I have a right to say and I'm deeply offended by anyone outside the African American community that says it. How dare anyone else think that they are able to use it just because they are friends with or in a relationship with someone of color. Smackdown deemed necessary!!!