The word "thug" is used by white conservatives to mean "black
Even more slowly, this time. See the first example:
Calling an innocent black man a thug = racist (it's pushing a stereotype that black people are criminals)
Yes, that's racist. And referring to a random group of black people as "thugs" for no reason aside from skin color is a racist dog whistle. It'd also be a dog whistle to call them "felons" or "criminals" based solely on their race also.
Now, you'll notice that's a bit different from the second example:
Calling an actual, violent, black criminal a thug = appropriate use of the word
Thug is not a racial slur, which I think is something you seem to be confused by. And if it's not, then it can be used legitimately, which is example two.
"Imbecile" used to be a technical medical term. Yet, if I called you an imbecile, you would take that as an insult. And you would be fully right to do so, because the word is an insult now. How did that happen? Because it was used as an insult. That is how words change.
But thug didnt change...we sent you links and you admitted Brown was a thug
Why do you care more about whether one individual fits the definition of a term infinitely more than you care about how the same term is used broadly?
Because it's not "broadly" used in a racist manner. ---
'It's okay that those gangbangers stole all my personal belongings and cash at gunpoint, cuz they're building a rec center!' - OneTimeBen