something he calls himself. It might be difficult to 'abuse' but certainly not to cause offence, or for offence to be taken. As has been touched on earlier, some black people refer to themselves as 'nigger', I'm as sure as can be that if a white dude was to address a black dude in a similar vein offence would be taken, by someone! It might be difficult to 'abuse' but certainly not to cause offence, or for offence to be taken. As has been touched on earlier, some black people refer to themselves as 'nigger', I'm as sure as can be that if a white dude was to address a black dude in a similar vein offence would be taken, by someone! But isn't that the point? I've heard a number of Jewish stand-up comedians telling jokes about Jews that I couldn't possibly have told without getting myself lynched. And I've heard Frankie Boyle (NOT a racist!) telling jokes about Scots at which I've laughed - because FB's a Scot. If (e.g.) Russ Abbot had told them, I'd have been thinking seriously about pounding him to a pulp. From an Englishman, those jokes would be racist in the extreme. From FB, they're actually funny in a tormented way. A Scot can make a mock of another Scot in a way that undercuts rather than reinforing racial stereotyping. A Jewish comedian can do the same about Jewish people - with the same proviso. Similarly a black comedian - Reginald D Hunter's