to anybody? no. you re 19 years old. yeah. when you hear people use this, what do you think? it s offensive. is there a difference between these two words? there is a difference. and the difference is? one would be more offending. what s interesting about this word, it s transformed into having a lot of different meanings, kind of like you re my friend, my equal. what does the n word mean to you? you heard honest opinions of people of different generations and races. one of the most offensive in the english language, but has the meaning been disarmed as jay-z puts it by the current generation? or will it forever carry a lethal racist connotation? i m joined by the professor at columbia university, 2008 miss black massachusetts usa, and michael
tonight, a cnn special, the n word. only six letters, just two syllables, yet lethal. a word so powerful, so controversial we have to warn you that what you ll hear and see could offend you. but in order to explore the word and all of the meaning, there are times we actually have to say it. i ll say it if it s pertinent and my guests can feel free to say it if they are comfortable doing it. let s talk. joining me here in studio is a famed jazz musician. professor at columbia university and a film maker and 2008 miss black massachusetts usa, lavar burton, actor and director, and jim o shea, tim wise, the author of color blind. and you at home tweeting us using #thenwordcnn. is it ever okay to use that word? yeah, i think that private