And If You Don't Know, Now You Know: New York's N-Word Trial

A federal judge rejected the argument that using the N-word amongst African-Americans was less racist than when the word is used by non-blacks, finding in favor of a plaintiff suing their employer for use of the taboo language.

According to Bloomberg Businessweek, jurors awarded $250,000 in compensatory damages last week to Brandi Johnson, a 38-year-old woman who was subjected to a "four-minute nigger tirade" from employer Rob Carmona of STRIVE East Harlem for what he deemed inappropriate clothing and behavior.

Tuesday, the Manhattan federal court began hearing arguments on punitive damages.

In theory, state and federal laws that apply double standards based on age, race, sex, etc. have long been vulnerable and subject to discrimination lawsuits. The case around the N-word is interesting because it sheds legal light on the complex double standard to the word when used from within and from outside of the black community.

According to Carmona, that double standard means the word can have both positive and negative connotations. For example, he may put his arm around a friend tell others: "This is my nigger for 30 years... that means my boy, I love him, whatever."

Not according to Johnson. Ms. Johnson taped the conversation she had with her boss, then "was offended. I was hurt. I felt degraded. I felt disrespected. I was embarrassed," she testified.

Johnson's attorney, Marjorie M. Sharpe, told the jury that such a double standard is impossible to litigate, and that the word is inherently offensive.

"When you use the word nigger to an African-American, no matter how many alternative definitions that you may try to substitute with the word nigger, that is no different than calling a Hispanic by the worst possible word you can call a Hispanic, calling a homosexual male the worst possible word that you can call a homosexual male," Sharpe said.

While it's unclear what the final verdict will be, the lawsuit makes it clear that, on some level, Carmona chastising Johnson for behaving unprofessionally was a little like the pot calling the kettle black.