I agree that there should not a double standard on such words. Of coure words like “whitey” shouldn’t be used either.
And I agree that most white people have been civil for decades.
Still don’t think white people should use that word.
Historically, there is no comparison. As a race, we have treated blacks badly in this country, so the word carries the weight of all that sorrowful history. We’re not responsible for it individually, but we shouldn’t perpetuate the anguish by using that unspeakable word that has been uttered in hatred and caused so much pain.
Agreed, but we should demand similar civility on all fronts. We have that right as well.
A dwindling fraction of the population even recalls Jim Crow, much less slavery, and I won't even get into the myriad misconceptions summarily perpetrated about the latter.
If we are indeed ever to become unhyphenated Americans again we need to make a clean break, not give one group a pass, which only creates fresh resentment.