When I was a kid in TN/AL the term used was “darkies”.
people said negro too
the sad part is I was spanked for saying nigger
now when riled I say it more than I ever did as a boy..although my wife stays on my boys over that and cursing but they hear it on TV constantly...like I said it’s maybe the most common word younger black people use...openly
i was so obnoxious I would lecture my peers as a boy who said nigger
and for what?
just look around today
man...I was an insufferable idealist
things did not turn out so good..lol