Abstract: For some the idea that ‘thug’ carries racist connotations nowadays might come as a shock. They contend the word is just a way of referring to vicious criminals, illustrated by its application against individuals of various racial backgrounds. According to Judy Muller, ‘thug’ is simply a race-neutral term that should not be lost to political correctness run amok. In what follows I show that despite many people’s assumption that ‘thug’ lacks racist connotations it does have them. I show this by pointing to the long history of associating Blackness with criminality. However, as with other slurs, ‘thug’ can be appropriated. I’ll argue that we should see appropriation as a form of resistance.