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jtuck004

(15,882 posts)

70. "Words matter. They define how we interpret events, and how we judge the character and actions of

Sun Dec 14, 2014, 10:06 PM

Dec 2014

..
individuals. They reinforce existing bias, prejudice and stereotypes. They justify violence against innocent people when those people are labeled with words that have negative and sinister connotations. Native Americans in were constantly called savages in the 19th century. European Jews in the 20th century were labeled cockroaches and vermin. African Americans, especially males, in the 21st Century are now called "thugs." Words that dehumanize their subjects. Words that lead to fear and loathing. Words that make it easier to kill and/or tolerate, and in some quarters of our society celebrate, the deaths of those so named.
...

Just thought this deserved repeating.

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Thug Kills White People in Texas [View all] phantom power Dec 2014 OP

K and R, well worth reading etherealtruth Dec 2014 #1

I never knew that Thug was a Code Word until I read it here on DU3. I avoid the term out of respect Tuesday Afternoon Dec 2014 #2

I agree MissDeeds Dec 2014 #20

Not sure that it is (except on DU)..A Repuke pol recently called Chris Christie a "thug" whathehell Dec 2014 #33

Calling a specific person a thug doesn't refute the code word argument. Gormy Cuss Dec 2014 #34

Maybe in some circles whathehell Dec 2014 #43

I agree. ChazII Dec 2014 #67

Thanks. whathehell Dec 2014 #68

When those were written, 'gay' only meant happy. n/t Gormy Cuss Dec 2014 #71

"... in recent years ...", meaning ... staggerleem Dec 2014 #59

Message auto-removed Name removed Dec 2014 #37

I guess I disagree. Calling a white person a thug, doesn't mean he's "naughty" whathehell Dec 2014 #41

I always wonder where a lot of people get the money to buy an arsenal. benz380 Dec 2014 #3

And I also wonder why they need an arsenal in the first place. Initech Dec 2014 #5

That too. benz380 Dec 2014 #8

It's a power trip. zeemike Dec 2014 #16

It's truly disturbing that white people can wield guns like it's no big deal. Initech Dec 2014 #4

An excellent post malaise Dec 2014 #6

White privilege. Renaissance Man Dec 2014 #7

+1 YoungDemCA Dec 2014 #11

How so? Lurker Deluxe Dec 2014 #17

still not treated like black folk Skittles Dec 2014 #24

Message auto-removed Name removed Dec 2014 #26

THESE FOLK Skittles Dec 2014 #27

+1 ... 1StrongBlackMan Dec 2014 #38

He was not EXECUTED before being charged tosh Dec 2014 #48

That is not the norm Lurker Deluxe Dec 2014 #50

Actually, if you are black, it is the norm. If you can't see that, you probably don't want to. jtuck004 Dec 2014 #69

He's still alive, isn't he? Jamastiene Dec 2014 #55

Really? Lurker Deluxe Dec 2014 #57

Well, for starters he actually lived long enough to go to trial. 11 Bravo Dec 2014 #56

That's fucked up Lurker Deluxe Dec 2014 #58

Yeah, because that's what I said. I seriously doubt that you are ... 11 Bravo Dec 2014 #60

The majority of people Lurker Deluxe Dec 2014 #62

Please, there is very little "white privilege" when it comes to murder -- cops temporarily excluded whathehell Dec 2014 #32

K&R! TeamPooka Dec 2014 #9

Fine, I'll say it - he's a thug, pure and simple derby378 Dec 2014 #10

Damn straight. 7962 Dec 2014 #22

Did you miss the term has become institutionalized? ... 1StrongBlackMan Dec 2014 #40

K/R Jack Rabbit Dec 2014 #12

Another truth heaven05 Dec 2014 #13

If anything, many of the Freeperville types will secretly (or not so secretly, in some cases) YoungDemCA Dec 2014 #14

huh? Lurker Deluxe Dec 2014 #15

The fact that he had a trial and wasn't summarily executed after killing three people ... Renaissance Man Dec 2014 #18

Oh BS Lurker Deluxe Dec 2014 #19

Message auto-removed Name removed Dec 2014 #42

S/he understands, but just prefers to pull shit out of their ass and pretend ... 11 Bravo Dec 2014 #63

Why precisely was he not referred to as a "thug" in media reports or by common colloquial? LanternWaste Dec 2014 #35

+1 n/t 1StrongBlackMan Dec 2014 #45

In order for this violent character to be considered the "thug" ... 1StrongBlackMan Dec 2014 #44

So ... Lurker Deluxe Dec 2014 #49

No, flip it around ... 1StrongBlackMan Dec 2014 #51

Exactly Lurker Deluxe Dec 2014 #54

Not exactly ... 1StrongBlackMan Dec 2014 #61

OK Lurker Deluxe Dec 2014 #64

Well ... 1StrongBlackMan Dec 2014 #65

even white criminals hopemountain Dec 2014 #21

Of course they are, and few whites, cops temporarily excluded, get a "pass" whathehell Dec 2014 #30

LOL ... 1StrongBlackMan Dec 2014 #46

you are right! hopemountain Dec 2014 #66

Etymology of "thug" From wiki: I thought it interesting panader0 Dec 2014 #23

Exscuse me of we dont shed a tear for a couple of racist ass rethug prosecutors :p ncjustice80 Dec 2014 #25

Those words are carefully chosen. They are called 'propaganda'. Dehumanizing sabrina 1 Dec 2014 #28

K&R! This post should have hundreds of recommendations! Enthusiast Dec 2014 #29

Look at all that shit: LeftinOH Dec 2014 #31

I thought we agreed "thug" is the new "nigger" GummyBearz Dec 2014 #36

Or, at least, please use ... 1StrongBlackMan Dec 2014 #47

+1 nt steve2470 Dec 2014 #52

K & R x1,000 joshdawg Dec 2014 #39

K&R n/t Feral Child Dec 2014 #53

"Words matter. They define how we interpret events, and how we judge the character and actions of jtuck004 Dec 2014 #70