agree.

It depends of the circumstance you use those words and they have different meanings depending on who uses them. If white man uses these words they easily get the negative meaning in them.

Imus was only using a word used in the every day lexicon of current societal climate, and he got reamed for it. The words he used is obviously not the real issue, but how out culture in the US of A has degraded to the lowest common denominator.

It's just like one's own family. We can criticize them and feel fully justified in doing so, but God help the OUTSIDER who attempts to do the same! That, I think, is the difference - affinity, connection, loyalty, be it tribal or family.

Imus was crucified, plain and simple. What comedian Michael Richards (Kramer on Seinfeld) said was obviously racist and motivated by malice.
There is a big difference, when heard by intelligent people.