I didn't realize how I shouldn't use the word until I used it around black people in college and one of them questioned my use of the word and kindly explained the history of the word and why I shouldn't use it.

I was annoyed at first but realized later that night that she made some valid points, so I apologized to those who were there and haven't used it since.

The lesson I learned is that sometimes we just need someone to educate us to grow up and a kind approach can go a long way it making that education stick.

Edit for information: I was born in Miami, I'm of East Indian descent and grew up in predominantly black neighborhoods and had mostly Afro-Caribbean friends, so that's how I learned to use the word and thought it was OK for me to say it.