I think the whole a/er difference is stupid because the n-word was meant to degrade, whatever way you spell it.
I understand people using the a-version in the positive way but it was never a tool of empowerment for black people, so, even with a derivation it's still supposed to be vile.
Can you image a black man using the "c00n" word in a positive way just by saying "well, I spell it "c.o.o.n.e.", the "e" at the end brings a whole different meaning, friend !"
In France, the difference is between "negre" and "negro", "negre" being the -er, and negro being the -a version. Negro being the latin-based word for "black". Obviously, nobody but black people use it in a """""""""""positive"""""""""" way when they talk to each other but I was friendly called "negro" a few times by black friends and didn't like it. I told them and they replied that that's what we were while yeshruging. Can't hate but still, don't use tools in a way that wasn't meant to be used like so.