I grew up in the 1950s
we used the N word ....it was not hard to figure out that you dont say it....(especially around employees when you become a rich celebrity)
"Democratic Sen. Robert Byrd, Ex-Klansman . ... Byrd warned: "There are white niggers. I've seen a lot of white niggers in my time" www.freemasonrywatch.org
Where was the outrage? Bet Rick Santorum(R) couldn't have got away with that.
I was on a training TDY near Biloxi in the early 90s. While off duty I would hang out at a club west of town. When a waitress asked for help from a sweet young lady working behind the bar, the barmaid shouted “I’m not your ******!” This was with several black people sitting at the bar. It was an awkward and bizarre situation, but nobody seemed phazed.