Don't say the "T" word?

It looks like now we can't say the word "thug" without being accused of racism. http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/01/27/richard-sherman-is-right-thug-is-the-new-n-world.html
Never mind that those of us who use that phrase use it as a term referring to criminal elements, of any race, who often use violence in their crimes.
Sheesh, stop turning everything into a race issue.