Where im from (Vallejo) its part of every bodies vocabulary (Blacks, Filipinos Mexicans, Samoans, whites, ect ect) and it dont look like its going away anytime soon. I've been around for a long time and never seen anybody out here get checked for saying it. As for me I had a different circumstances then alot of people. My older brother was black (RIP) and just like young brothers do I want to be just like him...so guess what..I become a product of my surroundings. I picked up using the n word as a youngster cause I picked it up from being around him all the time. As I got older I started to understand why its inappropriate for "EVERYBODY" to say it. When Im with the homies and its convo its what ever, and all my people who know me or knew who my brother was dont give a fuck other wise i would have been checked, but out in the public u got to be careful because others dont know who you are, how you were brought up, or who you were brought up with. But this is my thought on it..... No matter what race you are, you cant use the N word then be hypocritical about others saying it, that a pretty dumb way of looking at it...and.. Your homie is going to be your homie, so alot of shit that people say in those circles are accpeted and aint going to change...if you trip on somebody for saying it chances are he aint your homie.
p.s. If you want anybody to take you seriously cut that word from your vocab...its make you look/sound ignorant. that's too all people...even to me.