When someone uses the n-word, hate is stirred up so very clearly.
To flippantly use it is, in a word: terrible. Frankly, I personally don't like anyone saying it, even black people like me (and I look forward to your letters about that).
But, it seems that after people like Michael Richards, Dog the Bounty Hunter, and Paula Deen use racist rhetoric, it's only a matter of time before they're back on TV. That's why comedian Bill Burr's thoughts on these n-word scandals are so very astute.