The New N-Word

Thanks Richard Sherman. At first I was befuddled by Richards declaration that thug is the new N-word. I like Richard, I want his team to win the super bowl this year. I like the fact that he graduated from Stanford and that no thugs are permitted to graduate from that fine institution of higher learning. I like the fact that he earns a salary that is sufficiently high enough that it precludes him from being a thug. I was perplexed however to learn that a word beginning with a t had replaced the n-word. Having graduated from a university not named Stanford I was unaware of how this could be. I will confess that I was not prepared to change. I know, I know, I know,  the n-word is off limits to everyone except rappers. Having been born a negro and striving to be colored only to end up black, not to mention briefly being Afro-American, the n-word had been my only constant. I could express all feelings from hate to love with the n-word previously known as nigger or negra. I could be called the word by friend and foe and instantly know the person’s attitude towards me. Now I had to learn all the nuances of the word thug. I was happy that the music I listened to wouldn’t be altered by this new happenstance but my comedy taste would be significantly impacted. That niggers crazy would become that thugs crazy. I would have to learn to react to the word thug. I have never been associated with the thug word before now I had to change. My ethnicity was now entwined with the word thug. I was offended. I still am. The word thug doesn’t convey the vitriol that spews from the lips of those who use the word nigger as hate speech. The word thug doesn’t seem to have the versatility of the n-word. Time and tide wait on no man, so I’ll have to adjust I guess. No I won’t but thanks for the heads up Richard. You my thug, so gimme a hug. Whew, I said it.