"The n-word, arguably the most dehumanizing word in history, has been decried. It is considered inappropriate to speak it in public, and while that doesn’t stop everyone, hate will find a way. “Thug” is that way. Lately, it is a word used when we want to revoke humanity. Trayvon Martin, murdered only a few blocks from his home, was called a thug during his murderer’s trial."

...As someone who really, REALLY didn't give a shit about the Trayvon Martin case one way or the other (I maintain my original position on that--every night ABC7 News in LA gives you at least one or two stories like that...I fail to see what's so different about the Trayvon Martin case except for the fact CNN and President Obama decided it was so--a rare instance I agree with krellin, in fact, it was a HUGE mistake for Obama to get into that, a big political trap, I'm half surprised it didn't work out worse for him, and I again am left asking what made that case special over the dozens to hundreds that die every year in similar incidents in the LA area) I can't speak to that.