Reply #43: I know the definition of homophonic.

[plantwomyn]

Your statement that we are "creating a growing list of benign expressions rendered malignant out of ignorance" is well taken. It is ignorance plain and simple. That a teacher should be suspended for saying "niggardly" is ridiculous. The problem is that OPPRESSORS have used words to describe people that represent how they envision the oppressed.
I have only been called N* one time in my life and it filled me with fear. I was called "chink", "squaw", "spick" and other wonderful descriptives, so many times I can't even count. In urban Chicago it was sometimes necessary fight to stay alive. I got to the point where I'd just laugh. The "names will never hurt me" attitude kicked in. Now it is harder for me to let things go. There are a lot of kids out there, not a tough skinned as I, who need we adults to set an example.
I guess the only answer for the ignorance is education. Not there's a word that is mauled every day! ED-U-CA-TION! NO G!
Guess I've been watching too much BBC America.