General Discussion

LuvNewcastle

(17,044 posts)

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

Sun Jan 5, 2014, 09:32 AM

Jan 2014

I've heard people use it interchangeably to describe white and black men, generally young men but not always. I live on the gulf coast; I don't know if it makes a difference. We've had a good deal of mafia (mostly "Dixie Mafia&quot influence down here for a long time. I guess it all depends on who is using it and how they're using it. But unless I know the person using it to be a racist who habitually degrades other races, I don't take it as a racist term.

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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