Linguistically we(African Americans) use the word for different reasons. Its a part of the culture. All of African American communities I've been in across the country have used the word in a wide array of meaning from a term of endearment to contempt. I understand that there are people that are uncomfortable with the use of the word but that's their business and is not reflective of the people of that culture. If others want to appropriate the term then fine but if someone is offended by it and wants to check it then they better be ready to back it up. The same can be said about many culture staples across the country but people love to be hung up on the word like its ground changing. Its just a word with bad history that got flipped like many other things in history. I personally love the word. Like Paul Mooney said "it keeps my teeth white".
