Shouldn't be up for debate, it's racism plain and simple. Just because the R is missing, doesn't make it less racist or insulting. Call a person of color either one and you'll see there is NO difference. Zph loves that word like nothing else, and I guarantee you he would never say it to any person of color's face. Racism has no place in video games or the world, it's 2020. Grow the hell up.
EDIT: If we can mute people over the word "retard" then "nigga" shouldn't be up for discussion. Clearly.