In certain context it can be used as a code word for "nigger." And, if not nigger, then a low life black person.
I remember when I had long cornrows in my hair. I did a lot of public speaking at the time on the corporate level. Well, I cut my hair. Shortly after that, at one of my speaking engagements, a woman told me how glad she was that I cut my hair and how much she liked it. I thanked her for the compliment. She went on to add that it made me look like a thug. Mind you, when I was attending these events, I was always dressed in corporate attire. Nice suits, taylord so they fit correctly. None of that old school Steve Harvey shit with the fifty eleven buttons down the front. I made sure if I was going to be in front of corporate America, I would be dressed appropriately. Of course, I still retained a "creative edge" to my look but nothing that would denote anything criminal or hood. In short I looked like an artist or musician in a suit. Or, maybe even a PR or ad man. I've met a few of them with way edgier looks than me. Of course, they were white sooo ...
Now, anyone who has ever laid eyes on me knows "thug" is not the label that comes to mind when one sees me. I was kind of offended. Would she think a white guy with long hair a thug or just the creative type? Of course, I could have straightened it. Would I have still looked like a thug or was it only because I chose a distinctly African American hairstyle?
I really don't think any black person would have ever thought that. They may have said that hairstyle didn't look professional and that would be fair. I understand that. But a thug? A criminal? Someone you'd have to fear for your safety when he came around? No, I'm sorry. She may not be ready to burn crosses on someone's lawn, but there was definitely a racist element to that "compliment."
So, I'm thinking yeah, "thug" is the new and slicker way to call us niggers. But, as in all things, and my right wing brothers and sisters will not get this, context matters. Who says it and what situation it's used in makes all the difference. Sounds complicated doesn't it? Well, don't blame us, had we been given equal standing and respect from emancipation on, this would be a non issue.
Of course we'd still be fighting over class and religion. But, whatevs ...
