Thug is the new Nigg**!!

[MellowDem]

303. You aren't going to convince many people...

the way you're approaching this, IMHO. I agree with you that many people, on the right especially, use thug as a dog whistle, and not just that word, there others I hear that basically get at the same thing. But many don't, as obviously compared to the N word, and I'm not sure the N word was ever really a dog whistle like this word.

But the way you're trying to convince people to give up the word aren't going to convince people who honestly use it in all contexts, even if they know it's a dog whistle in some. Yes, the fact that Obama still uses it is a reflection that it's a little harder to discern for people than the N word. Etymology is pretty complicated stuff. Just saying "etymology bro" comes off as really condescending, I don't think Obama is an idiot.

And, it's always going to come across as a bit presumptuous when you tell people to stop using words without much context as to why and just demands. Even if you point out some people use it as a dog whistle, that's not going to convince everyone to give up the word forever.

I can think of quite a few words that are used as dog whistles by Republicans, but it seems at some point to be a bit like giving up ground and conceding all this vocabulary to conservatives if the solution is to stop using the words. I'm not even sure it's that effective. I'm pretty sure it isn't.

That is to say, it could be possible to point out how conservatives are only using words in certain contexts, and to avoid using the word in those contexts, but use them in the exact opposite contexts as a way to battle this sort of dog whistle.

I personally try to avoid using all dog whistle commentary once I know of it, and it's an ever evolving field. But I think the words can be used with some effect to expose how the word is being used by some as the dog whistle it is.

I try to avoid all name calling for people in general anymore, any sort of adjectives that make a person seem inherently bad or to have a fatal flaw of character. My view is that people can change, and environment is mostly at play in most people's actions or thoughts, I only use those adjectives for ideas, or try to.

This sort of view avoids the problem almost entirely, if a person is afraid of using words that they don't know are dog whistles.