General Discussion

Glassunion

(10,201 posts)

212. It's a beautiful thing, the destruction of words.

Thu Jan 23, 2014, 06:45 PM

Jan 2014

I'm having a hard time trying to keep up. How many words have the European Americans decided are racist and should no longer be used?

It was easier back in my youth. I could tell a racist by the language they used towards me. But now there are just so many words and phrases we label as racist, I cannot keep up. I had a guy the other day that I think (if I have an updated Compendium of Racist Words 12th Edition) was probably the Grand Unicorn (or whatever they call themselves) of the Klan, who was so incredibly racist towards me. Either that or he just wanted directions to a BBQ restaurant. I could not really tell.

So now that the "T" word has been added to the ever growing list of racist words. What word will be used to describe someone who is the Webster's Dictionary definition of a "T" word? Or would one have to hop on the euphemism treadmill with a long and drawn out barrage of adjectives to avoid saying the "T" word?

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Highlight:

Richard Sherman on 'thug': "it's the accepted way of calling somebody the N-word nowadays." [View all] geek tragedy Jan 2014 OP

I believe Sherman's correct... DonViejo Jan 2014 #1

+1 FreeState Jan 2014 #10

I call Republicans "thugs" all the time. RandySF Jan 2014 #107

Yes, people are calling Christie a thug, even a republican recently called him that. n/t whathehell Jan 2014 #186

Right here too, on DU, a poster saying Obama is a thug JimDandy Jan 2014 #150

what????? PM me a link if you don't want to post please nt geek tragedy Jan 2014 #197

That poster got tombstoned yesterday! JimDandy Jan 2014 #224

this persona? geek tragedy Jan 2014 #225

Yes - low post count and hid out for a long, long time. n/t JimDandy Jan 2014 #226

AGREED Mr Dixon Jan 2014 #170

+1 redqueen Jan 2014 #175

+1000 Liberal_in_LA Jan 2014 #223

Bingo! Cali_Democrat Jan 2014 #2

"they're not thugs, they're goons!" geek tragedy Jan 2014 #3

"Goon" is the hockey term ProudToBeBlueInRhody Jan 2014 #5

Very true. tabasco Jan 2014 #81

AGREED Mr Dixon Jan 2014 #171

+1 uponit7771 Jan 2014 #221

85% of DUers disagree. Nye Bevan Jan 2014 #4

Context is everything. If applied to a violent criminal, not racist. geek tragedy Jan 2014 #6

I pretty much agree pintobean Jan 2014 #21

someone here said he was acting 'gangsta rap' and used a 'violent tone' geek tragedy Jan 2014 #22

That exchange and this use of thug are all undeniably racist. morningfog Jan 2014 #119

everyone needs to give the guy a break, NM_Birder Jan 2014 #147

Most people wouldn't proclaim how god-like they are and trash someone else by name joeglow3 Jan 2014 #179

at the most NM_Birder Jan 2014 #182

85% of DU'ers can blow it out their ass Scootaloo Jan 2014 #56

AGREED Mr Dixon Jan 2014 #172

The opinions of 85% of people on a site whose members... Spider Jerusalem Jan 2014 #57

Thank you. Seriously. Number23 Jan 2014 #123

Please elaborate. Do you think DU is full of racists? Comrade Grumpy Jan 2014 #237

Wow. Number23 Jan 2014 #238

Well, only 84% since I added my yes vote. Dark n Stormy Knight Jan 2014 #80

Ah, our resident racism denier. Cute poll. morningfog Jan 2014 #116

he's not wrong Alamuti Lotus Jan 2014 #7

Funny thing, he's not known as a big hitter--certainly not compared geek tragedy Jan 2014 #28

He's a cornerback. They are quick and fast brush Jan 2014 #54

It's not about race, it'a about roids... joeybee12 Jan 2014 #8

When did Joe Mauer ever fail a steroid test? ProudToBeBlueInRhody Jan 2014 #12

Update...meant Braun...nt joeybee12 Jan 2014 #18

And by the way.... ProudToBeBlueInRhody Jan 2014 #24

aye Papi! nt geek tragedy Jan 2014 #36

Seattle leads the NFL in failed drug tests mythology Jan 2014 #102

One thing we cann ALL agree on.......... NM_Birder Jan 2014 #153

I think Manning gets a ton of slobber ProudToBeBlueInRhody Jan 2014 #210

lets see....where is that "like" thingy ;) NM_Birder Jan 2014 #211

Your post would have a shred of honesty to it if Mauer had ever geek tragedy Jan 2014 #13

Naturally, you misread everything and call names... joeybee12 Jan 2014 #14

To sit there and claim that people get called 'thug' because of steroids is bullshit. geek tragedy Jan 2014 #19

I only hid one person so far in my 10+ years at DU joeybee12 Jan 2014 #23

Ha ha, I'd hide anyone who handed me my ass on a plate too. bettyellen Jan 2014 #65

You forgot to answer the question: Dark n Stormy Knight Jan 2014 #91

I guess that's easier than addressing the point nt geek tragedy Jan 2014 #99

You're right about Clemens. secondvariety Jan 2014 #84

Well, Bill Romanowski . . . nt geek tragedy Jan 2014 #94

lol....... NM_Birder Jan 2014 #159

Douchebag is a tough one for me. geek tragedy Jan 2014 #161

lol....again NM_Birder Jan 2014 #166

I believe you're thinking of Ryan Braun.. Upton Jan 2014 #16

You're right...changed...nt joeybee12 Jan 2014 #20

if he took anything it was adearall wilt the stilt Jan 2014 #55

Let me preface this with I love Richard Sherman. dilby Jan 2014 #9

Some may use it more innocuously. But for a lot of white Americans, they know exactly what they're nomorenomore08 Jan 2014 #58

Yeah, it's become a code word. delta17 Jan 2014 #222

The fact that he shuts them out soon after the "thug" talk begins should tell you something! Dark n Stormy Knight Jan 2014 #86

But he obviously did not think it equalled the n-word. dilby Jan 2014 #160

I love this! cilla4progress Jan 2014 #130

Like I said... cilla4progress Jan 2014 #140

Thanks for sharing that. dilby Jan 2014 #162

There is nothing racial about the word "thug". ladjf Jan 2014 #11

Just like there's nothing racial about 'shiftless welfare queen' nt geek tragedy Jan 2014 #15

tehehehe Cali_Democrat Jan 2014 #17

Also... Cali_Democrat Jan 2014 #25

The word "thug" is at least 700 years old and has been used all around the world. ladjf Jan 2014 #31

How long have the words "lazy" and "welfare" been around? geek tragedy Jan 2014 #34

To the majority of the world's population, since they don't speak English, it doesn't mean anything. Dark n Stormy Knight Jan 2014 #83

The word thug is basically the same in all languages. It was derived from a nomadic tribe called ladjf Jan 2014 #114

Very well said! When I read the headline to this thread, Sherman's comments really resonated R B Garr Jan 2014 #118

More than that Sgent Jan 2014 #169

Not in English. Igel Jan 2014 #93

the word 'thug' was used more often on Monday on television than it had been geek tragedy Jan 2014 #133

Agreed. n/t whathehell Jan 2014 #187

Or dog whistle. GeorgeGist Jan 2014 #52

Oh yes there is. Are_grits_groceries Jan 2014 #67

Sanders was so afraid of contact it was a joke Drahthaardogs Jan 2014 #68

He may not have been as great as he was made out to be, Are_grits_groceries Jan 2014 #70

Being a sure tackler is very important for a cornerback Drahthaardogs Jan 2014 #77

So, gay didn't mean homosexual until the dictionary added that definition? Dark n Stormy Knight Jan 2014 #88

Post removed Post removed Jan 2014 #146

people who call President Obama "a typical Chicago Democratic thug" are racist geek tragedy Jan 2014 #207

I really like and respect sherman (go hawks) but disagree on this point. at least to a degree arely staircase Jan 2014 #26

that's because Incognito is an actual thug. geek tragedy Jan 2014 #38

no shit nt arely staircase Jan 2014 #41

I use "thug" to describe a violent criminal. nt Eleanors38 Jan 2014 #117

How about "asshole"? alarimer Jan 2014 #27

That's perfectly fair. geek tragedy Jan 2014 #30

I would go with immature arely staircase Jan 2014 #45

Yeah, he earned a lot of legit criticism on that. nt geek tragedy Jan 2014 #46

but that said arely staircase Jan 2014 #48

No, it's really not. RiffRandell Jan 2014 #185

I didn't say I agree. I have a very strong personal approval of this guy overall. geek tragedy Jan 2014 #195

so why don't you complain about Crabtree wilt the stilt Jan 2014 #61

Exactly! nt RiffRandell Jan 2014 #192

Nice Broad Brush of athletes. RiffRandell Jan 2014 #191

Sherman is just using this as a way to deflect attention Upton Jan 2014 #29

Yeah, he should just sit there and take the racist slurs. geek tragedy Jan 2014 #32

I don't consider it to be a racial slur.. Upton Jan 2014 #35

Well, I guess if some white people don't consider it a slur geek tragedy Jan 2014 #37

You'll have to ask someone who called him that.. Upton Jan 2014 #43

why is he not qualified to speak on racial slurs? geek tragedy Jan 2014 #44

I'm well aware of where he went to school.. Upton Jan 2014 #50

Condi Rice is not part of this discussion nt geek tragedy Jan 2014 #71

She is now. RC Jan 2014 #129

only as an attempt at distraction from someone trying to whitesplain geek tragedy Jan 2014 #131

How is 'whitesplain' not being racist? RC Jan 2014 #136

whitesplain: geek tragedy Jan 2014 #138

I know what it means. RC Jan 2014 #141

as I said, white guys who whine about political correctness have zero geek tragedy Jan 2014 #143

You are saying in effect that only non white guys have credibility when it comes to RC Jan 2014 #145

no, white guys who actually make an attempt to listen to the voices geek tragedy Jan 2014 #149

Then why do I get the feeling that you are whining about me not conforming to your idea RC Jan 2014 #152

Not whining, just observing that you equate listening to black people geek tragedy Jan 2014 #157

I totally agree with what you say here. cinnabonbon Jan 2014 #156

Having watched it firsthand, I thought either Crabtree must have said something awful, SolutionisSolidarity Jan 2014 #33

Sherman says in article he wrote marlakay Jan 2014 #49

The only one corroborating that story is Sherman's brother.. Upton Jan 2014 #64

I think the article makes some good points, ZombieHorde Jan 2014 #39

some of it isn't conscious. geek tragedy Jan 2014 #40

I was unaware of any specifics Jenoch Jan 2014 #42

People here say slurs are abstract idea, and it puts white men in a disadvantaged position... bettyellen Jan 2014 #47

How does having to adjust one's vocabulary "disadvantage" anyone? That is completely absurd. nomorenomore08 Jan 2014 #63

Message auto-removed Name removed Jan 2014 #202

Thanks for playing and enjoy your pizza. edit below. hrmjustin Jan 2014 #203

Honored the 30 minutes or less. William769 Jan 2014 #204

Message auto-removed Name removed Jan 2014 #208

For the second troll I would say why do you think? hrmjustin Jan 2014 #209

the rationalization is that it is divisive to give African Americans or women "special privileges" bettyellen Jan 2014 #69

Same old catering to the right wing. It's nothing new, and it never works. nomorenomore08 Jan 2014 #105

'Special privileges'... such a rightwing whine. nt redqueen Jan 2014 #178

but you hear it from people here, and they argue how anyone can judge the word is used a slur... bettyellen Jan 2014 #183

This far too true far too often Kurska Jan 2014 #51

how often do you and I agree on anything? Alamuti Lotus Jan 2014 #53

He's right. Trayvon was called that...even after he was shot and killed. Liberal_Stalwart71 Jan 2014 #59

Chris Christie is beloved partly because he talks shit; he's rude, arrogant, and a "straight talker" Liberal_Stalwart71 Jan 2014 #60

Why is no one complaining about Larry Bird wilt the stilt Jan 2014 #62

"What's the definition of a thug really?" AlbertCat Jan 2014 #66

Did anyone listen to Reggie Miller on the Dan Patrick show today??? a kennedy Jan 2014 #72

Heh, it would have been hypocritical in the extreme for Reggie to say otherwise. geek tragedy Jan 2014 #75

I doubt I'd blame Andrews, she expected to get an interview with a player happy with winning the FSogol Jan 2014 #76

She didn't do anything wrong, but people's reaction to a black guy with dreads going geek tragedy Jan 2014 #98

Message auto-removed Name removed Jan 2014 #199

This message was self-deleted by its author William769 Jan 2014 #200

I tend to agree with this. Erin Andrews' grimace during the interview was so R B Garr Jan 2014 #115

The proper word for Sherman was "poor sportsman." FSogol Jan 2014 #73

You had me until the end. geek tragedy Jan 2014 #78

I didn't call him a thug. Thug is the wrong word, poor sportsman is the proper term. n/t FSogol Jan 2014 #79

I guess maybe we're talking past each other. geek tragedy Jan 2014 #82

"Talking trash" is a time-honored tradition in pro sports. kwassa Jan 2014 #90

Time honored? Sorry, that's one of the problems with pro sports. FSogol Jan 2014 #92

It is part of the psych-up and psych-out of Denver. kwassa Jan 2014 #97

Sherman doesn' think he can get into Manning's head. geek tragedy Jan 2014 #96

oh, I agree with that. Manning has ice water in his veins. kwassa Jan 2014 #100

This Sherman lad strikes me as a very intelligent young man. Aldo Leopold Jan 2014 #74

I agree with Sherman, but sulphurdunn Jan 2014 #85

Absolutely true. Thug is code. marble falls Jan 2014 #87

I don't think the reaction would be that different to the term arrogant ass Boom Sound 416 Jan 2014 #89

I tend to agree, all the rebs were calling Travon Martin a thug too. TheKentuckian Jan 2014 #95

I'm glad he said that. I've felt the same thing. AAO Jan 2014 #101

Sherman's the new Jim Mora klook Jan 2014 #103

Wyatt Cenac had a similar observation caraher Jan 2014 #104

Sherman has a 4.2 GPA and is working on a Masters at Stanford. RandySF Jan 2014 #106

Glad I just called him an ass then. Inkfreak Jan 2014 #108

he's right d_b Jan 2014 #109

About the history of the word as a racial slur: Dark n Stormy Knight Jan 2014 #110

he is correct Skittles Jan 2014 #111

No, he isn't. When I say Gov. Thug, I am not calling him the N-word. pnwmom Jan 2014 #112

that's because Christie threatened and bullied and intimidated. geek tragedy Jan 2014 #125

I don't know who Sherman is. I'm responding to his general claim pnwmom Jan 2014 #180

it does mean the N-word in some contexts. geek tragedy Jan 2014 #189

I think people are blowing Sherman out of proportion Arcanetrance Jan 2014 #113

He ain't wrong. Iggo Jan 2014 #120

I don't know Richard Sherman from a can of beans Number23 Jan 2014 #121

He is a cornerback Jamaal510 Jan 2014 #228

This message was self-deleted by its author Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #122

kick for truth... Blue_Tires Jan 2014 #124

Wow, a well-known trash-talker complaining about being called a thug??? DinahMoeHum Jan 2014 #126

so, using racist code words is okay with you if the geek tragedy Jan 2014 #127

It's HIS problem if he thinks it's racist. DinahMoeHum Jan 2014 #128

OFFS. it's a black person's fault if they're offended by geek tragedy Jan 2014 #132

Hey, I'm not getting into a "pissing contest with you. DinahMoeHum Jan 2014 #181

Seems to be a popular belief here. ForgoTheConsequence Jan 2014 #227

Horse Pucky. RC Jan 2014 #134

The word is not the problem, the racists' use of it is. geek tragedy Jan 2014 #135

I think you are seeing racism where little or none exists. RC Jan 2014 #137

I think I'll trust what black people say as opposed to white guys geek tragedy Jan 2014 #139

I'd like to see this poll you took or saw. RC Jan 2014 #142

never in my life have I encountered a white guy who simultaneously whined geek tragedy Jan 2014 #144

Then you do not know many Liberals. RC Jan 2014 #151

parents many times employ the "do as I say not as a I do" approach nt geek tragedy Jan 2014 #154

I don't. I taught my kids by example. RC Jan 2014 #155

you better not let them read your posts here. nt geek tragedy Jan 2014 #158

Why not? Being tolerant does not mean being submissive. RC Jan 2014 #164

you're very tolerant of women and black people so long as they agree with geek tragedy Jan 2014 #165

Stop projecting and don't put your words on my mouth. RC Jan 2014 #168

Slang reassignments of word definitions come a go, particularly among people with ladjf Jan 2014 #231

No one believes they're synonymous now and never were. RC Jan 2014 #232

Perhaps I've misunderstood this entire thread. ladjf Jan 2014 #234

Look who posted the OP for your answer. RC Jan 2014 #236

Thanks. I know that I had never heard that "thug" was code for some racial slur. nt ladjf Jan 2014 #239

Not a fan of Sherman, but he's right on this. bluedigger Jan 2014 #148

That fucking "Thug" Govenor Ahaaaaanold...... NM_Birder Jan 2014 #163

I hope his team wins so that the game flamingdem Jan 2014 #190

I see what you mean, especially after watching the video showing the sequence of events: icymist Jan 2014 #167

Well, it's also the way we characterize Chris Christie. Orsino Jan 2014 #173

yes, because Christie is a bully who relies on intimidation and threats and blackmail nt geek tragedy Jan 2014 #174

Not exactly a counterpoint to Sherman's assertion, I guess. Orsino Jan 2014 #176

The word 'thug' was used on television 625 times on Monday--moreso geek tragedy Jan 2014 #177

Put your dog whistle away Packerowner740 Jan 2014 #184

so, when Rush Limbaugh calls Barack Obama a 'street thug' and when the Ted Nugent geek tragedy Jan 2014 #196

So you take everything some right wing idiot says to mean EVERYONE sees it the same way? Packerowner740 Jan 2014 #205

no, the point is that context matters. geek tragedy Jan 2014 #206

Just wanted to say thank you for your posts in this thread. nt redqueen Jan 2014 #188

thanks, doing my best to be civil nt geek tragedy Jan 2014 #194

I think he IS a thug joeglow3 Jan 2014 #193

"someone who is incapable of rational conflict resolution skills" geek tragedy Jan 2014 #198

Thug IS used more about black kids cinnabonbon Jan 2014 #201

It's a beautiful thing, the destruction of words. Glassunion Jan 2014 #212

please do not obfuscate. when white people call a black man a thug not because he is a thug geek tragedy Jan 2014 #213

So am I being racist when I call a white republican a "T" word Glassunion Jan 2014 #214

Do you agree that Rush Limbaugh is totally not being racist geek tragedy Jan 2014 #216

Rush is racist, so no matter what words he uses, there is a racist undertone. Glassunion Jan 2014 #218

Nope your just a thug. Egnever Jan 2014 #215

what act of excessive violence and brutality did Mr. Sherman commit such that geek tragedy Jan 2014 #217

I'm sure that "thug" knows the difference between your and you're. ForgoTheConsequence Jan 2014 #230

So all the times we use "thug" when it refers to non-black people is what? Bonobo Jan 2014 #219

this isn't that complicated geek tragedy Jan 2014 #220

If you defend calling black men "thugs".... ForgoTheConsequence Jan 2014 #229

I started noticing the THUG meme a few months ago. CBGLuthier Jan 2014 #233

It wasn't, but it is now gollygee Jan 2014 #235