Has “thug” become the new and slightly more acceptable N-word?

President Obama and Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake both used the term to describe mostly African-American looters in Baltimore. Other black politicians, plus some linguists, poets and other experts, say many people are now using “thug” as a pejorative term to demean a whole class of black Americans.

Others are not so sure, arguing that “thug” is still a race-neutral term that refers to all sorts of people, from 1930s Mafia leg-breakers to Nazi brownshirts to anyone who takes something from others through violence or intimidation.

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The Juneteenth Atlanta Parade and Music Festival takes place Saturday beginning at The King Center and ending at Piedmont Park. Due to sponsorship difficulties, the event was shortened from three days to two this year. (Jenni Girtman for the AJC)

Credit: Jenni Girtman