From my conversations with nonblack people they look at that word as a term of endearment, and they wish they had the free reign to use it especially with their black friends.
This is why some of them ask, “Well if black people can call each other nigga why can’t I?” Because in black culture calling each other the n word is as simple as a hello. It’s not seen as disrespectful.
In my opinion, I also think a nonblack person being given permission to call their black friend the n word is seen as an exclusive privilege that they feel honored to have, like they’re close to “us” and not being from the outside looking in, so to speak.