Quote Originally Posted by Croesy Blue View Post
Because of the connotations and context of the use of the word, it has been reclaimed by black people and has a different meaning in that sense, unfortunatley it is still a slur and comes across that way when used by anyone else. There are thousands of articles that cover it a lot more succinctly than I ever could.

It's the same reason south park can get away with anti semitic characters wihtout getting grief. It isn't just the N word there are loads of examples of groups taking slurs and reclaiming them, it doesn't mean they stop being slurs when used by others though.
you reference connotation. Here's a point. Whilst the MP should have known better, I certainly don't think her intended use was racist, given the point she tried to make. however, there is also the point she might just might be a closet racist and instead of using more appropriate less offensive terms, she chose one which she knew may upset.