Quote:People that insist the work thug is racist are under the false impression that all thugs are black.  

 

 

No, no no.   I'm saying it becomes a racist word when it is only used in reference to young black men.   I hardly ever hear or read the word "thug" in reference to young white men.    I almost always hear or read it used in reference to young black men.   So eventually, the word takes on a racial connotation.  

 

 

1) Can a word eventually take on an underlying meaning if it is almost always used in a certain context?   Yes. 

2) Is the word "thug" by far most often used in relation to young black men?   Yes.

 

Therefore, the word "thug" has taken on a racial connotation. 

 

Are young black men thugs?   Irrelevant

Is black culture in many ways a thug culture?   Irrelevant

 

The question isn't, "should young black men be considered thugs?"   The question isn't "Is black culture thug culture?"   The question is,"should the word "thug" be considered racist?"   The word itself is not racist.   It's just a word.   But in our society, the way we use the word, it has taken on a racial connotation.  

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