Resistance and Reclamation: Notorious Thugs

For some, the idea that words like ‘thug,’ ‘terrorist,’ and ‘urban’ carry racial connotations might come as a shock. They contend these words simply refer to vicious criminals, violent dissidents, and geographic regions. However, this chapter argues that these kinds of terms do carry racial overtones and are often used to justify coercive treatment of those who are so labeled. It then presents two broad strategies for addressing the unjust negative valuations based on being classified by such expressions: refusal and resistance. The chapter will demonstrate these strategies by focusing on the term ‘thug’.