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Behind the Aegis

(55,821 posts)

36. No. But it can be used that way.

Fri Dec 27, 2013, 06:01 PM

Dec 2013

Context is important, as is who is using the term. Is 'gay' homophobic? Not usually, but it sure is when someone talks about such and such is "gay", meaning "bad". What about "Jew?" Is it anti-Semitic? Nope, except when used in such a way, like: "He jewed me on the price." or "Of course, they are upset, it is the Jew pathology to be victims." Both are examples on a word that isn't anti-Semitic being used in such a way. We could go old-school...is "articulate" a racist term? Almost never, except when it is used to express dismay at a non-white (usually black person) speaking in "proper" English (as defined by the person expressing the dismay).

Intent and context will determine if a word is being used in an offensive manner.

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Has the word "thug" become racist? [View all] Nye Bevan Dec 2013 OP

From wiki: panader0 Dec 2013 #1

Yes. It's a code word used by 'gun advocates' to mean 'urban' which is the GOP's code word for... nt onehandle Dec 2013 #2

Correct Ohio Joe Dec 2013 #5

Exactly. You even see it used here by "gun advocates." Hoyt Dec 2013 #6

Absurd. Lizzie Poppet Dec 2013 #22

in my experience, it has been used as a euphemism for black youth Iris Dec 2013 #37

Then read some of Robert B. Parker's books. Warpy Jan 2014 #60

I don't believe you have to walk on eggshells. The point is that many racist people are far more Dark n Stormy Knight Jan 2014 #64

I see no reason to discard a perfectly good word Warpy Jan 2014 #65

agreed. nt. pothos Dec 2013 #32

yes, regardless of definitions of the actual word La Lioness Priyanka Dec 2013 #3

No, but it is a pejorative designed to degrade a person. Live and Learn Dec 2013 #4

Its often used as a code word. JoePhilly Dec 2013 #7

It's code for union supporters and members, so I hope not. n/t Egalitarian Thug Dec 2013 #8

When used with the "union" qualifier, it's not the same term. redqueen Dec 2013 #20

I would say no. dawg Dec 2013 #9

Yep, all the right wing gun fanciers who called Trayvon Martin a "Thug" meant it affectionately. Hoyt Dec 2013 #19

Language evolves. Not always in a good way. It is no longer race neutral. Dark n Stormy Knight Jan 2014 #51

I guess it depends on how it is used. hrmjustin Dec 2013 #10

"Union thug" is how I've mostly heard it. I imagine context, Cerridwen Dec 2013 #11

Here, too, it's used a lot to denote low-level people in the mafia. LuvNewcastle Jan 2014 #46

Keep this up dipsydoodle Dec 2013 #12

lol Boudica the Lyoness Dec 2013 #25

Context is all. Orsino Dec 2013 #13

I think the context in which it's used is what makes a word racist or not... penultimate Dec 2013 #14

I was really surprised earlier this year -- LumosMaxima Dec 2013 #15

Wall Street, Bankster and Law Enforcement "thugs" Earth_First Dec 2013 #16

I suppose any word could be tweaked into a racist term depending on context, petronius Dec 2013 #17

No, but, like any derogatory term, racists may consider it an attribute of groups they don't like. Gidney N Cloyd Dec 2013 #18

A thug, is a thug, is a thug. Who ever thought of it anything different? demosincebirth Dec 2013 #21

I've only heard it in reference to criminals, re-thug-licans and racial thugs. TexasProgresive Dec 2013 #23

I've been using "Rethug" since the Brooks Brothers Riot of 2000 UTUSN Dec 2013 #24

I think yes but I think it's a recent change gollygee Dec 2013 #26

Well hopefully it will either go away on its own dipsydoodle Dec 2013 #27

"Union thugs" come from all races, colors, and creeds. Ed Suspicious Dec 2013 #28

No Go Vols Dec 2013 #29

Is that a childhood picture of John Cena? NaturalHigh Dec 2013 #35

I don't know, but I have never considered it at such. Deep13 Dec 2013 #30

Not really firsttimer Dec 2013 #42

It really doesn't matter what WE say it is MrScorpio Dec 2013 #31

Well, I just ask my Sissyk Dec 2013 #33

Just called my grandson - he said 840high Jan 2014 #55

Oh, well, if we're all gonna call some relatives... Dark n Stormy Knight Jan 2014 #63

The right wingers I know always call Trayvon Martin a thug n/t doc03 Dec 2013 #34

No. But it can be used that way. Behind the Aegis Dec 2013 #36

Depends on the situation and the potential for selective outrage by the enduser flvegan Dec 2013 #38

Yup. cherokeeprogressive Dec 2013 #39

No firsttimer Dec 2013 #40

I'm not sure, to be honest. I know I don't like using it. cynatnite Dec 2013 #41

I don't think so, how could it be if so many here use the term rethuglican Packerowner740 Jan 2014 #43

Dog-whistle racism and coded language aren't exactly new ideas. LeftyMom Jan 2014 #44

Seeing as a neighbor frequently uses it when referring to my son- a good student ScreamingMeemie Jan 2014 #45

I don't think that word means what your neighbor thinks it means. Dark n Stormy Knight Jan 2014 #50

He's 15, tall, and muscular. That equals "thug" to my neighbor. ScreamingMeemie Jan 2014 #53

So, we're talking about one guy who uses a partcular word in correctly. Dark n Stormy Knight Jan 2014 #54

What I think is that you're picking a battle with the wrong person. ScreamingMeemie Jan 2014 #59

Picking a battle? Seriously. Wow. Dark n Stormy Knight Jan 2014 #61

I don't think it's exactly racist. aptal Jan 2014 #47

I think it refers to organized crime and rethuglicans. CTyankee Jan 2014 #48

Wow. Anyone who says "thug" has not become a racist term is denying reality. It IS used by racists Dark n Stormy Knight Jan 2014 #49

Being among the older and less wise here, what is a badly behaving white person called? libdem4life Jan 2014 #52

Thug. 840high Jan 2014 #56

That's what I thought. libdem4life Jan 2014 #57

Nice. Another straw man. Dark n Stormy Knight Jan 2014 #62

Some say it beacme racist quite a while ago... Dark n Stormy Knight Jan 2014 #58