[the_chosen_one]

I believe Emily was attempting to use the word in a non offensive way so as to take away some of the stigma surrounding the word.

I've been known to do it myself with the word p*** around my pakistani friends. It is sometimes not greeted with as much hostility as you may think.

I do however, understand the implications and history of the word n*****, and Emily was, arguably, ignorant to that, and it is that factor which makes this word so controversial.