I know what you are trying to say Xero, but I disagree with you. The word ****** is a word of abuse. It is another word that white culture uses to put down Black People or People of Colour. For a white person to call a person of Colour a ****** is bad behaviour. It does not matter what the context is. You are white and the other person is "black". It is like you are reminding them that they are not equal to you..I know you don't mean that..but that's how some people would feel it.
I don't like my straight friends calling me Poof, Queer, gay or faggot..I just don't. They are straight. But my gay friends, yep. It's fine. because the word does not have the same power. When a gay person calls me Poof, they are not saying you are not equal to me.
I know from Australian culture [yep me Aussie] to be Black or a Person of colour is to be low in status... you know somehtign else, when my parents first came to Australia--they are Arabs -- they used to get called WOGS. My mother even told me, how our next door neighbours used to call ME, yes ME, Black Boy..and I'm not Black! But if you leave me in the sun too long......
The same with women who don't like being called bitch! The word bitch th meaning of someone being like a dog, so by calling a woman a bitch you are saying she is a dog? Even I don't do that>
Even today, in this day and age, I still don't like Australian Whites calling me Wog. Another Arab or Ethnic person, that's fine, but from an Australian White is a NO NO.
Xero, words do have power. Power to hurt. It would be wise to be aware of this.. if someone is a bastard call them a bastard but don't call them black bastard or ethnic bastard or...then there is a problem with the word bastard...............