Obama stands by using the term "thugs" to describe protesters

[BionicBunny]

I really don’t care about your opinion on this and it won’t change my mind. No matter how many emojis you put behind it.

It’s not an opinion.

Look BB, I’m not running around calling White women Becky and using the definition as an excuse like I don’t know it’s been used to push the stereotype that white women are easy to get head from because they are overly sexually promiscuous.

I most certainly do not tell white women “they don’t get to choose” to find that racially offensive or racist.

All due respect, l understand if some can’t grasp that concept, but I don’t do that to other people and I’m not tolerating anyone doing that to me because people on the internet feel I should.

First, Becky is racial? I don’t know where you were going with that...
Second, I didn’t say you didn’t get to choose how you feel. I said you don’t get to choose a meaning of a word and expect everyone else to treat that word the way you view it when it isn’t a racial slur. The meaning isn’t racist. So people are not going to see it as racist and just because you do and you get offended doesn’t mean others should have to walk on eggshells.
I’m not telling you how to feel. Feel however you feel. But you don’t get to tell other people how to feel or that a word that doesn’t have a racial meaning to it is factually racist. It is not.

[Lemons]

Are they old movies? I was thinking more current use of the word.

I suppose the 80’s would be old. But more current, I’m not sure of mob movies, but it’s used in several Marvel and DC movies and comic books as well as graphic novels by other publishing companies.

I first noticed widespread use of the word in conservative media and social media - mainly used to describe black men who were victims of police brutality. At the time, and now, I feel it is used to dehumanize the victim so that some will think that the brutality was deserved. Look back at the reporting of Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, etc. Google those names along with "thug". Sure the term has been around a long time though using it to reference black victims of police violence and those who protest the violence is a relatively recent use of the term. Even Kaepernick was called an "anti American thug". Kaepernick, to my knowledge, never was violent yet was called a thug because for many, that's become a slur, particularly against black men.

Just my two cents:)

ETA: This is an interesting read (albeit a bit long):

From “brute” to “thug:” the demonization and criminalization of unarmed Black male victims in America

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5004736/

I googled Trayvon and thug. Not only did conservatives use the word to describe the kid but Geraldo also blamed his “thug wear”.

Good advice to google this. Lot of good articles on the current use of the word.

[SouthernIslander]

It’s not an opinion.

Look BB, I’m not running around calling White women Becky and using the definition as an excuse like I don’t know it’s been used to push the stereotype that white women are easy to get head from because they are overly sexually promiscuous.

I most certainly do not tell white women “they don’t get to choose” to find that racially offensive or racist.

All due respect, l understand if some can’t grasp that concept, but I don’t do that to other people and I’m not tolerating anyone doing that to me because people on the internet feel I should.

First, Becky is racial? I don’t know where you were going with that...
Second, I didn’t say you didn’t get to choose how you feel. I said you don’t get to choose a meaning of a word and expect everyone else to treat that word the way you view it when it isn’t a racial slur. The meaning isn’t racist. So people are not going to see it as racist and just because you do and you get offended doesn’t mean others should have to walk on eggshells.
I’m not telling you how to feel. Feel however you feel. But you don’t get to tell other people how to feel or that a word that doesn’t have a racial meaning to it is factually racist. It is not.

Yes, Becky can be racial derogatory.

You can quote me as much as you’d like but I’ll continue to tell you the same thing until you’re tired of hearing it.

I said I do not like when thug is used in a racist context and I’ve clarified multiple times that I am not talking about simply saying the word or referring to everyone that utters the word.

You are welcomed to disagree but you do not under any circumstances get to micromanage what I tolerate or accept from anybody. Bottom line and no matter how much you argue with me about this.

You should have no reason to walk on eggshells if you’re not using it in a derogatory manner.

[Quorra2.0]

When people started to use the word “thug” as a code word for Black people. Like when Hillary called us super predators back in the day and thought we forgot.

Hope that makes sense Carp.

But most people do not use it as a code word for black people. A lot of people don’t even associate the word to a race but to a behavior. Thug has been used for many years to describe people who behave a certain way. In Batman Begins, The Dark Knight Rises, The Dark Knight, Thor, Scarface, The Untouchables, Captain America, god I totally showing my geekdom It’s always used to describe a type of people by behavior not a race of people.

So some are using it as a code word? Ok, I get it. But do we give them power? Do we give them the word? I’m not saying ignore when someone uses it as a code word, by all means that needs to be called out, but to label it as a racial slur because of a few dumbass fools...I’m not sure that’s right.

I also have heard the use of the word thug, by several musicians. Not to describe race, but a person who exhibits certain behavior. What about Thug life? I can’t help but feel that by labeling the word a racial slur because of a few, we are allowing people to be disempowered more by those people.

I support that you feel this way about the word even if I disagree.

I’ve emphasized on context several times. I’m not taking about the people who don’t do that and I’m not accusing them of using a racial slur.

Yes, this needs to be called out because this term is thrown around to either justify police brutality or bash the people speaking out against it..including peaceful protesters. It’s not just a few dumb assets doing it because it happens more times than not when this debate comes up.

I’m sorry people (general) are gonna have to pick a lane. You (general) can’t say that you’re against police brutality or angry about Floyd’a death and it’s like pulling teeth to explain simple stuff that we know contributes to the problem.

Micromanaging our issues and delivery is encouraging all this anger, including those or us who aren’t looting.

And hugs to you for the support and being open to listening to a different point of view.

I apologize, I misunderstood your reply to Carpy. I took the reply as saying because it’s been used as a code word it’s now a racial term and derogatory. But what you are saying is some people have used it as a code word giving it racial connotations period. Then separate, context would dictate whether it’s being used by its general meaning or if it’s being used as a derogatory racial term. Is that about a correct summation?

To further expand on this, because of the cause or catalyst for the protests and civil unrest, we should be mindful and tread careful over labeling as 1) particularly the word thug, now does carry racial connotations, and 2.) this is causing, even unintentional harm.

To even further expand on this with my thought process, bear with me, there are so many reasons some people are participating in the riots. For some it could be for nefarious reasons, or to instigate discord, but this causes those who are screaming in pain and injustice to be ignored and those protesting to be ignored. That by placing focus quibbling over intent, we aren’t hearing the message that we, need to hear.

[Momto2boys973]

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thug

Seems like a correct term to use

[Quorra2.0]

I suppose the 80’s would be old. But more current, I’m not sure of mob movies, but it’s used in several Marvel and DC movies and comic books as well as graphic novels by other publishing companies.

I first noticed widespread use of the word in conservative media and social media - mainly used to describe black men who were victims of police brutality. At the time, and now, I feel it is used to dehumanize the victim so that some will think that the brutality was deserved. Look back at the reporting of Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, etc. Google those names along with "thug". Sure the term has been around a long time though using it to reference black victims of police violence and those who protest the violence is a relatively recent use of the term. Even Kaepernick was called an "anti American thug". Kaepernick, to my knowledge, never was violent yet was called a thug because for many, that's become a slur, particularly against black men.

Just my two cents:)

ETA: This is an interesting read (albeit a bit long):

From “brute” to “thug:” the demonization and criminalization of unarmed Black male victims in America

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5004736/

I googled Trayvon and thug. Not only did conservatives use the word to describe the kid but Geraldo also blamed his “thug wear”.

Good advice to google this. Lot of good articles on the current use of the word.

“Thug wear” what the heck is thug wear?

[BionicBunny]

I had a hard time sleeping last night knowing all the crazy things going on in the world. I sat up and watched a live feed on Facebook from a news station on Indianapolis.
Let me tell you, there were plenty of white people out there acting like fools. Much of I day was set on fire last night, business windows broken out and a few people were shot and killed in the middle of the street last night, others were injured and several were arrested. They were all thugs in my book. I don’t care what color skin they had. Their actions were a disgrace!
There were peaceful protesters at first and then these thugs joined in and things got bad fast. Yesterday there was a peaceful protest in a near by city. Hats off to those who were able to get the message out there with peace and no violence. I support them and their cause. I support protesting. I condemn rioting and rioters!

[Carpy]

It’s a term Hillary used a long time ago that conservatives tore her an entire new ass about that in 2016 for being racist.

Wow! I had no idea she said this. I will admit I'm not the greatest at paying attention to politics in general.

Yeah, she said it when Bill was in office about the crime bill if I am not mistaken.

You aren't mistaken, and "bring them to heel" as if blacks are dogs being trained.

[WellPreserved]

I first noticed widespread use of the word in conservative media and social media - mainly used to describe black men who were victims of police brutality. At the time, and now, I feel it is used to dehumanize the victim so that some will think that the brutality was deserved. Look back at the reporting of Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, etc. Google those names along with "thug". Sure the term has been around a long time though using it to reference black victims of police violence and those who protest the violence is a relatively recent use of the term. Even Kaepernick was called an "anti American thug". Kaepernick, to my knowledge, never was violent yet was called a thug because for many, that's become a slur, particularly against black men.

Just my two cents:)

ETA: This is an interesting read (albeit a bit long):

From “brute” to “thug:” the demonization and criminalization of unarmed Black male victims in America

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5004736/

I googled Trayvon and thug. Not only did conservatives use the word to describe the kid but Geraldo also blamed his “thug wear”.

Good advice to google this. Lot of good articles on the current use of the word.

“Thug wear” what the heck is thug wear?

A hoodie worn by a black teen.

[SouthernIslander]

But most people do not use it as a code word for black people. A lot of people don’t even associate the word to a race but to a behavior. Thug has been used for many years to describe people who behave a certain way. In Batman Begins, The Dark Knight Rises, The Dark Knight, Thor, Scarface, The Untouchables, Captain America, god I totally showing my geekdom It’s always used to describe a type of people by behavior not a race of people.

So some are using it as a code word? Ok, I get it. But do we give them power? Do we give them the word? I’m not saying ignore when someone uses it as a code word, by all means that needs to be called out, but to label it as a racial slur because of a few dumbass fools...I’m not sure that’s right.

I also have heard the use of the word thug, by several musicians. Not to describe race, but a person who exhibits certain behavior. What about Thug life? I can’t help but feel that by labeling the word a racial slur because of a few, we are allowing people to be disempowered more by those people.

I support that you feel this way about the word even if I disagree.

I’ve emphasized on context several times. I’m not taking about the people who don’t do that and I’m not accusing them of using a racial slur.

Yes, this needs to be called out because this term is thrown around to either justify police brutality or bash the people speaking out against it..including peaceful protesters. It’s not just a few dumb assets doing it because it happens more times than not when this debate comes up.

I’m sorry people (general) are gonna have to pick a lane. You (general) can’t say that you’re against police brutality or angry about Floyd’a death and it’s like pulling teeth to explain simple stuff that we know contributes to the problem.

Micromanaging our issues and delivery is encouraging all this anger, including those or us who aren’t looting.

And hugs to you for the support and being open to listening to a different point of view.

I apologize, I misunderstood your reply to Carpy. I took the reply as saying because it’s been used as a code word it’s now a racial term and derogatory. But what you are saying is some people have used it as a code word giving it racial connotations period. Then separate, context would dictate whether it’s being used by its general meaning or if it’s being used as a derogatory racial term. Is that about a correct summation?

To further expand on this, because of the cause or catalyst for the protests and civil unrest, we should be mindful and tread careful over labeling as 1) particularly the word thug, now does carry racial connotations, and 2.) this is causing, even unintentional harm.

To even further expand on this with my thought process, bear with me, there are so many reasons some people are participating in the riots. For some it could be for nefarious reasons, or to instigate discord, but this causes those who are screaming in pain and injustice to be ignored and those protesting to be ignored. That by placing focus quibbling over intent, we are hearing the message that we, need to hear.

No need to apologize. Thanks for understanding without me having to clarify a million times. Yes ma’m, that’s what I’m saying.

For years, Black men are called thugs when they are protesting or when it’s time to justify the police killing them instead of acknowledging that police brutality is a problem. It’s not the time to call people thugs and expect a warm/fuzzy response, even from those who don't agree with the rioting.

I agree, I feel like the people who are sincerely livid about this aren’t being heard because too many people are getting involved for the wrong reasons on both sides.