‘I also think the use of the word “nigg*rs”
was most often a mispronunciation by “whites”.’
Yes, I’m extremely suspicious that is the case. Illiterates who couldn’t say “Negro” well. Happens all the time with speech. Then turned into its own “word” that became more insulting than the word it was clearly based on.
The people I have known who pronounced that word
incorrectly, I know they harbored no hatred of ANYONE.
I know there have been some KKK sorts who knew exactly
what they were doing; but some of them also were just
not well educated. - One just has to get up and stand
straight up and ignore ignorance and MOVE ON in the
world! - I resent being called “spook”, too; but I don’t
get livid about it. I know pretty much what I am; but
really, genealogy is referred to as “useless” in the Bible;
and it probably is for the most part.