I think people are getting offended by this because black people throw this word around all the time and you are just singling out white boys. I know a black guy who hates it when anybody says this word (whether they are black or white). I personally don't have an opinion on whether it is acceptable or not, but I personally would never say it because the people I hang out with don't. However, if this guys friends throw around the word like it's just another swear word, it doesn't really matter whether he uses it or not because no one is getting hurt from him saying it. My point is that it might be okay to say it in some circumstances, as long as people of color who hear it won't be offended. If they are offended but throw it around themselves, that's just hypocritical.