Here's why:
* Historical context: The word has a long history of being used as a slur, stemming from the segregation era in the United States.
* Offensive intent: It's meant to be demeaning and belittling, often used to express prejudice and discrimination.
* Alternatives: There are many respectful ways to refer to someone based on their ethnicity or origin. Using terms like "white person" or "Caucasian" are more appropriate in most contexts.
It's important to be mindful of the language we use and to avoid terms that are hurtful and offensive.