So what do you call someone who IS what the dictionary would call a thug, and happens to be African American? The word used in the link, “ruffian” sounds a little inadequate.
Even if it’s true that “thug” has taken on a racist meaning, would it be better if somebody used a different term like “hoodlum” or “criminal” or “low-life?” What’s the negative word I could use to describe both brawling white motorcycle gang members and black people looting an electronics store?
Usually in our “community”, “thug”, is a term of endearment, or a badge of honor,{thug life}. We can’t have it both ways.
So fine, when they surrounded the president’s car and prevented it from traveling forward, they were acting like hoodlums or criminals or low-lifes. Same difference, really. But of course, it’s easier to go “thug! it’s a word that ends in a hard g, so you must be using it as a code word for an offensive word used for black people that also has a hard g sound!” instead of actually addressing the problem – that it was inappropriate for them to surround the man’s car and block him from getting where he had a right to go. Make the “problem” the person who didn’t use just the right word, as opposed to the real problem - of physical intimidation.
Just IMAGINE the response if a bunch of white students had blocked a black college president’s car. It would be all “look at their white privilege, they think they can stop a black man from traveling in the transportation he is owed as an executive member of the university,” blah blah blah.
“I was simply weighing in to vouch for the new connotation of the word, and make people aware that if they make a habit of using the word “thug” that there’s a risk of being misinterpreted that they might not have been aware of previously.”
I know, and I don’t particularly care. I’m not aware that a small handful of black people now run the appropriate interpretation of words. There is nothing wrong with using the word thug. I would use it in a equal opportunity way to describe white students who rioted after a football game or somesuch.
You may want to edit that. Or, at least tell us who these black people are you’re referring to. @-)
Really? Is every statement just coded racism waiting to be ferreted out? Instead of castigating the motives of others, why not stop for a second and try and address the point?
In my view it would be more appropriate to blame the racists who adopted the term as a euphemism rather than some cabal of SJWs who you think are redefining your favorite insult to sling at criminals.
When it comes to grammar and language, I’m as much of a prescriptivist as anyone, but I also know connotations are fluid things.
Pizzagirl, no one is defending the actions of protesters/thugs/kids/students (pick your noun) when they do things like surround the president’s car, or shout down reporters or whatever. Demonstrations get messy. Angry people often cross the line, be it protesters or police. It would be nice if polite discourse based on logic and reason, and steeped in humanity and compassion, led to changes in law and society. But it doesn’t happen that way, and there certainly were actions during the Missouri protests that merited criticism. But this criticism doesn’t take away my respect from those students who – largely peacefully – brought about some significant change they believed was necessary at their university. I think this was probably the most profound lesson in activism and politics they will have learned in their four years in college.
I wonder what we should infer about the people who hear a word referring to terrible behavior by people and automatically think of black people. I know I don’t. But I live in Mafiaville, so . . .
Who exactly are these racists? What proof do you have of their racism that is not simply a circular consequence?
It depends on the circumstances. In this instance, it’s the very subject the thread. So, yeah, it’s a valid question to ask whether someone was just writing hastily or really enjoys going right up to the edge of things, even if it pisses people off?
It is a question of whether you except the underlying premise. I believe that it is dangerous to allow people to imply motives. I prefer that things be dealt with as is.
I decided to see what would pop up on the first page of a Google search on “thug.” I found a generic definition, several discussions of how the term can be viewed as racist…and a couple of entries about the rapper Young Thug. Hmm. I think this one is kind of on the line.
"@Pizzagirl
I’m not aware that a small handful of black people now run the appropriate interpretation of words.
You may want to edit that. Or, at least tell us who these black people are you’re referring to. "
Those who decreed that out of all the possible synonyms for hooligan/ruffian/criminal/low-life, thug alone “must” be coded language for the n word. Like I said - easier to play the " you said thug - you must be racist!" than actually address the substance.
I don’t know exactly who these racists are, @Ohiodad51. But I have certainly observed a pattern in online discussions, comments on new stories, etc.
I’ve certainly observed the term used much more frequently to describe Aftican Americans. So I believe that at least some of the people who use it are intending it in a racist way, and I can understand why it can come across that way.
Yeah, many/'most of those people are anonymous online jerks and perhaps they should just be ignored. But particularly in an online forum, I’m going to err on the side of not using the word, because after all I’m just an anonymous personality here too. I’d rather not be mistaken for one of the jerks. Even if I can blame them for it.
Thug is a term we use here in kids’ ice hockey to describe a player, without regard to gender, race, etc. whose main activity in the game is to use their size and aggression to cover up for their lack of skill. I will miss using the term; it seemed to say it all in one word.
Some African Americans have embraced the term thug with surprising eloquence.
I thought the hockey term for that kind of player was “goon.”
You may want to edit that. Or, at least tell us who these black people are you’re referring to.
Yeah, but, if they’re such a small handful, you ought to be able to name names.