Hi
well, touchy for sure, but it's the world we live in,
it's a term that's still used, both negatively and sometimes endearingly
and the pronunciation that ends with "a" as opposed to "er", can totally have different effect, in that respect.
lot of rap artists have the word in their lyrics.
and don't forget NWA's contribution, not only music, but in Hollywood and it's influence on the culture of America.
The late Great, Richard Pryor's album "
That Nigga/s Crazy" though controversial, is still funny as hell to me.
so, there may be some way to use it in a constructive manner that may not be so offensive, if you can put it in it's historical usage context.
on other hand, if you drop it, then somebody with different motive or perspective could exploit it negatively, intentionally.
so, now you might be thinking, damn, why he lay that

in my lap
cuz.... cuz.
Good Luck!
imo...