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AngryOldDem

(14,180 posts)

96. Exactly -- context matters.

Reply to Bluerthanblue (Reply #49)

Tue Jul 31, 2012, 04:39 PM

Jul 2012

And here, most of the time, the context is not positive.

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why is it ok to call me a redneck? [View all] RedRocco Jul 2012 OP

Why is it ok for you to accuse the whole world of calling you a redneck? BeyondGeography Jul 2012 #1

I don't think he did that. Bake Jul 2012 #61

Who knows what Mr. Hit and Run really meant BeyondGeography Jul 2012 #62

sorry, I had to step out RedRocco Jul 2012 #65

To me it's a lot more narrow a reference than those slurs BeyondGeography Jul 2012 #78

What do all of these have in common? dogknob Aug 2012 #156

Well,Bless your heart Go Vols Aug 2012 #241

Because rednecks like to use the n word UnrepentantLiberal Aug 2012 #157

what should i call this guy? arely staircase Aug 2012 #167

Fred Phelps calls himself a Christian Tsiyu Aug 2012 #220

i will put this as politely as possible arely staircase Aug 2012 #222

I'm guessing I've spent the past 40 years Tsiyu Aug 2012 #224

if you think redneck is a arely staircase Aug 2012 #226

I never said it was taken as an insult by all rednecks Tsiyu Aug 2012 #230

white trash? Go Vols Aug 2012 #234

because it's funny Enrique Jul 2012 #2

and...if one is a "Teabilly Fuckstick" then Redneck is appropriate....nt Evasporque Jul 2012 #63

you can stop being a redneck samsingh Jul 2012 #3

I know many people that many here would classify as redneck RedRocco Jul 2012 #66

Damn right. My wife is one. Bertha Venation Jul 2012 #77

it's only one aspect of it. it's also about how they form, argue, and stick to their opinions samsingh Jul 2012 #85

So the assumption that poor Southerners..yes, even those with different political opinions... antigone382 Aug 2012 #123

thats the point I was trying to make in my own ham handed way RedRocco Aug 2012 #140

i think you're being too sensitive samsingh Aug 2012 #235

actually i don't think all southerners are rednecks samsingh Aug 2012 #237

i don't think you've met many rednecks BOG PERSON Aug 2012 #204

only what i see on tv samsingh Aug 2012 #236

No you can't. antigone382 Aug 2012 #134

Is that why the South is so anti-union? whathehell Aug 2012 #163

Use a slur long enough and it sticks. antigone382 Aug 2012 #170

Sorry, but that's a lame excuse. whathehell Aug 2012 #183

They killed a lot of Southerners, too. antigone382 Aug 2012 #188

Yes. whathehell Aug 2012 #192

They didn't, for a long time. antigone382 Aug 2012 #197

Good question. mia Jul 2012 #4

Because it's ultimately *class-based abuse*. And that's considered "OK" here. nt Romulox Jul 2012 #5

I disagree...Redneck is based more on political opinions, IMO, than "class" whathehell Jul 2012 #57

It's both. Nobody calls Mitt Romney a "redneck". nt Romulox Jul 2012 #88

Well, he's rich as hell...I have referred to middle class conservatives as "rednecks". n/t whathehell Jul 2012 #104

"he's rich as hell..." Right. Which is why it speaks to *class*. nt Romulox Jul 2012 #106

Only if you include the One Percent whathehell Jul 2012 #108

I've never bought into the "1%" meme to begin with. Guys making $500k don't get called "redneck", Romulox Jul 2012 #111

Well, I don't know anyone making $500K so I wouldn't know if that's true whathehell Jul 2012 #114

No, those are "good ol' boys". tosh Aug 2012 #152

They do quite often in OK & TX. LanternWaste Aug 2012 #136

and i can confirm that. nt arely staircase Aug 2012 #171

don't know. ask jeff foxworthy arely staircase Jul 2012 #6

Exactly! I've seen "Blue Collar TV". That show uses "redneck" as a BADGE OF HONOR. alp227 Aug 2012 #229

I don't think it is . . . JustAnotherGen Jul 2012 #7

Why is Redneck a slur? democrat_patriot Jul 2012 #8

I've wondered whether it is or not too loyalsister Jul 2012 #59

Yep. It's often not fun being a southerner in DU. nt ncgrits Jul 2012 #101

Being a "different" minority is never fun loyalsister Jul 2012 #113

i am a southerner arely staircase Aug 2012 #169

+1 uponit7771 Jul 2012 #72

This message was self-deleted by its author devilgrrl Aug 2012 #184

because it's impolite to call rednecks stupid mother fucking racist assholes. 2pooped2pop Jul 2012 #9

I thought it was short for that lame54 Jul 2012 #94

in my part of the country being called a redneck gets a grin and slap on the back seabeyond Jul 2012 #10

That's my experience. People own that label with pride and don't see it as a slur. n/t OneGrassRoot Jul 2012 #79

That usually depends on context and who's using the word RZM Aug 2012 #124

Cause rednecks are advanced - they can't be intimidated or controlled by a term they don't like The Straight Story Jul 2012 #11

I've wondered that. xmas74 Jul 2012 #12

You think the reverse has happened, is happening with the N word? snooper2 Jul 2012 #16

I hate hearing that too xmas74 Jul 2012 #19

I am rrneck, and I approve this message. nt rrneck Jul 2012 #35

Thank you for pointing out that bit of history tech3149 Jul 2012 #46

It was once a proud label xmas74 Jul 2012 #68

Yes, Pride. yesphan Aug 2012 #137

I think the term redneck used to mean someone with an actual red neck panader0 Jul 2012 #13

Some think it's from the red xmas74 Jul 2012 #20

That's what I always heard too. wendylaroux Jul 2012 #38

Because I saw you cruising down J highway snooper2 Jul 2012 #14

Because mature adults don't use racist language in retaliation for imaginary insults. Starry Messenger Jul 2012 #15

because of Edward and Francis hfojvt Jul 2012 #17

Why do you have the desire to use slurs on other people? 99Forever Jul 2012 #18

To be fair, that's not what he said. Quantess Jul 2012 #93

Perhaps not in so many words. 99Forever Jul 2012 #98

Agreed. Quantess Jul 2012 #99

Is it OK to call you a redneck? gollygee Jul 2012 #21

So it's okay to call you a redneck? Iggo Jul 2012 #22

whine on honeypie, whine on. cali Jul 2012 #23

a redneck isn't about race. You can be a red-neck and not be white. Bluerthanblue Jul 2012 #24

Hmm I don't know if I buy that gollygee Jul 2012 #25

I guess it's perspective- Bluerthanblue Jul 2012 #34

Hi, Blue. Love your pic there. Skidmore Jul 2012 #69

Hi Bluerthanblue Jul 2012 #81

When I was growing up, "redneck" referred to someone, Art_from_Ark Jul 2012 #40

That's the image I have too gollygee Jul 2012 #44

Billy Carter said a redneck would throw the beer cans out the window, a good-ol' boy brewens Aug 2012 #135

exactly RedRocco Jul 2012 #67

It is definitely changing to mean that obamanut2012 Jul 2012 #42

+1 uponit7771 Jul 2012 #73

An epithet for the oppressor doesn't invoke the murderous history of an epithet for the oppressed. qb Jul 2012 #26

+1,000,000 Tom Ripley Jul 2012 #58

News Flash: Slavery wasn't instituted by lower class whites. Nope. It was the LEADING FAMILIES Romulox Jul 2012 #89

+1000 ncgrits Jul 2012 #102

They went along with it, though treestar Aug 2012 #141

Yeah. They also "went along" with sharecropping while former slaveholders kept their riches. Romulox Aug 2012 #146

Well, first of all, FLyellowdog Jul 2012 #27

It's the machine wars: This board is being swarmed by politically correct speech sentinels. patrice Jul 2012 #28

you can choose not to be a redneck AllyCat Jul 2012 #29

Good point, especially since the next assault is going to be on the matter of Racism & Sexism. patrice Jul 2012 #30

No, you can't. antigone382 Aug 2012 #125

This message was self-deleted by its author devilgrrl Aug 2012 #186

They aren't. antigone382 Aug 2012 #190

This message was self-deleted by its author devilgrrl Aug 2012 #194

Never said that. A lot of people care a lot, and understand the complexities of history. antigone382 Aug 2012 #198

every "red neck" abolugi Jul 2012 #31

agree- "bleeding heart liberal" Bluerthanblue Jul 2012 #36

Well, you were asleep TlalocW Jul 2012 #32

As a Kentuckian, it doesn't bother me... but some of the arguments here for it... Comrade_McKenzie Jul 2012 #33

It's just a word. Sticks and stones may break my bones, Nye Bevan Jul 2012 #37

This kind of name-calling often gets a strong positive response, but does a disservice to.. BigAnth Jul 2012 #39

At last. mia Aug 2012 #117

Your post is the very definition of 'nailing it' RZM Aug 2012 #155

DU's broad brush says "South" on the handle. n/t cherokeeprogressive Jul 2012 #41

This! ncgrits Jul 2012 #103

Yawn. Ikonoklast Jul 2012 #43

My nearly 7' tall, redneck, construction bull foreman, little brother 'd take exception at your slur patrice Jul 2012 #45

It shouldn't be okay. AngryOldDem Jul 2012 #47

is "hippy" a slur? Bluerthanblue Jul 2012 #49

Exactly -- context matters. AngryOldDem Jul 2012 #96

Some people use 'old' as a slur... RC Jul 2012 #64

I recant. I'll now go along with the groupthink. AngryOldDem Jul 2012 #92

It's not a slur. Alduin Jul 2012 #82

Warning: Outrage Capacity Reached. Meltdown Imminent. WilliamPitt Jul 2012 #48

I must need a nap SunsetDreams Jul 2012 #50

Redneck is not always a "slur." MADem Jul 2012 #51

Do you SunsetDreams Jul 2012 #53

Not a damn clue! MADem Aug 2012 #151

If I were to take a guess booley Jul 2012 #52

Redneck has its roots as a slur in the war against union miners. antigone382 Aug 2012 #127

but if we compare booley Aug 2012 #153

I would never argue that it has the same power as other slurs against other minorities... antigone382 Aug 2012 #162

I prefer to use "peckerwood" Tom Ripley Jul 2012 #54

One is not born a redneck, one becomes one. GodlessBiker Jul 2012 #55

An explanation of the term redneck antigone382 Aug 2012 #129

Who called you a redneck? On DU? morningfog Jul 2012 #56

it is the screen name I use everywhere RedRocco Jul 2012 #76

its not, unless you invite people to call you that nt Fresh_Start Jul 2012 #60

Redneck = choice of lifestyle. Not color or race. TwilightGardener Jul 2012 #70

+1 uponit7771 Jul 2012 #75

Redneck global financial systems analyst here! ieoeja Jul 2012 #83

LOL--your post reminded me of all the holes we had in our walls TwilightGardener Jul 2012 #84

Wow. I own *TWO* torque wrenches. What does that make me? Romulox Jul 2012 #91

Redneck squared? kwassa Jul 2012 #112

I guess you never heard the country song TwilightGardener Aug 2012 #121

No, I can't listen to that crap. It's funny once I read the lyrics, tho. nt Romulox Aug 2012 #122

Not true. What the term actually means: antigone382 Aug 2012 #130

the CMT channel (Country Music) has a a reality show called "redneck Island" and lots of programming Liberal_in_LA Jul 2012 #71

redneck is NOT...NOT based of ethnicity, central cali has plenty black and latino rednecks uponit7771 Jul 2012 #74

This message was self-deleted by its author southernyankeebelle Jul 2012 #80

Maybe neck is a synonym for Rocco? I dunno. Spirochete Jul 2012 #86

Because it doesn't have a derogatory connotation. Jazzgirl Jul 2012 #87

I think this is highly debatable. nt Romulox Jul 2012 #90

Wrong. n/t cordelia Jul 2012 #110

Not historically true. antigone382 Aug 2012 #132

Are the people calling you that, standing on your lawn, wearing white hoods, and burning a cross? JoePhilly Jul 2012 #95

No, but I have seen police more likely to pull people over and charge them with crimes... antigone382 Aug 2012 #138

Uh huh.. whathehell Aug 2012 #159

I never said that, but the fact is that the people who bought/stole land in the Appalachian South antigone382 Aug 2012 #172

What's next?...The War of Northern Aggression? whathehell Aug 2012 #179

I'm not going back to the Civil War antigone382 Aug 2012 #185

Okay, not back that far but the late 1800's are not THAT much closer. whathehell Aug 2012 #201

I don't care for Jeff Foxworthy or Larry the Cable Guy... antigone382 Aug 2012 #202

Where on DU has anyone called you a liar? whathehell Aug 2012 #203

downthread. antigone382 Aug 2012 #206

I'm so sorry about that whathehell Aug 2012 #209

A vintage classic SNL sketch w/ Richard Pryor & Chevy Chase answers your question... VOX Jul 2012 #97

I guess it depends on who's doing the calling. LWolf Jul 2012 #100

This book explains it. "Whatever they're called, America's poor whites have become easy targets for braddy Jul 2012 #105

Reminds me of the recent "white trash" reception on Capital Hill. mia Aug 2012 #118

I read it, years ago. Quantess Aug 2012 #119

It isn't eridani Jul 2012 #107

Agreed. whathehell Aug 2012 #212

food fo thought. notadmblnd Jul 2012 #109

"Redneck" is a term of pride, for some. xfundy Jul 2012 #115

This message was self-deleted by its author devilgrrl Jul 2012 #116

Because that is not all that redneck means. antigone382 Aug 2012 #133

This message was self-deleted by its author devilgrrl Aug 2012 #142

Yes, that is even more tied to the history of Appalachian oppression than the term redneck. antigone382 Aug 2012 #143

This message was self-deleted by its author devilgrrl Aug 2012 #147

You aren't just using that pejorative against those people. antigone382 Aug 2012 #149

This message was self-deleted by its author devilgrrl Aug 2012 #178

On second thought: let me tell you whose problem it is: antigone382 Aug 2012 #154

Post removed Post removed Aug 2012 #182

Bullshit backed by statistics and longitudinal studies.... antigone382 Aug 2012 #187

This message was self-deleted by its author devilgrrl Aug 2012 #189

You sound like you know so many of them. antigone382 Aug 2012 #193

This message was self-deleted by its author devilgrrl Aug 2012 #196

No, presenting my perspective as honestly and respectfully as I can does. antigone382 Aug 2012 #199

Thanks for adding your well-thought out posts Tsiyu Aug 2012 #208

This message was self-deleted by its author devilgrrl Aug 2012 #211

taterguy said we could. n/t gkhouston Aug 2012 #120

fallacy noiretextatique Aug 2012 #126

How about "Yuppies"? "City Slickers"? "Latte Liberals?" Tierra_y_Libertad Aug 2012 #128

It's Not DemocratSinceBirth Aug 2012 #131

Yur neck is sun burned? benld74 Aug 2012 #139

I know a guy Catherine Vincent Aug 2012 #144

so who do you think buys stuff like this? pointy-headed liberals from the northeast? arely staircase Aug 2012 #145

Fred Phelps' Gawd Hates Librulls Tsiyu Aug 2012 #215

that is a terrible analogy arely staircase Aug 2012 #217

"Rednecks" do just that Tsiyu Aug 2012 #221

i know a lot of liberal rednecks arely staircase Aug 2012 #223

Sure honey Tsiyu Aug 2012 #225

and bless your little heart arely staircase Aug 2012 #227

Someone should try Tsiyu Aug 2012 #231

This message was self-deleted by its author devilgrrl Aug 2012 #148

About as long as supposed progressives have justified the use of classist slurs... antigone382 Aug 2012 #150

so those people i see in pick-ups with rebel flags that say redneck on them are progressives arely staircase Aug 2012 #160

I didn't say every use of the world was by a progressive. antigone382 Aug 2012 #164

look, progressives working against social and economic justice by using ugly class-based stereotypes arely staircase Aug 2012 #177

is this one of those classist progressives? arely staircase Aug 2012 #165

I already replied to this argument in post #164. antigone382 Aug 2012 #168

you missed the point, my friend arely staircase Aug 2012 #173

I'm glad that's the case in your part of the South. antigone382 Aug 2012 #174

well that picture is from georgia arely staircase Aug 2012 #175

I'm glad you're enjoying yourself antigone382 Aug 2012 #176

ok, fair enough arely staircase Aug 2012 #181

Well sure, and I wouldn't claim it's primarily a word used for any one purpose. antigone382 Aug 2012 #200

ok, here is why we are talking past each other, i think arely staircase Aug 2012 #205

Understood, and that's part of the reason it can be a difficult conversation. antigone382 Aug 2012 #207

that was a moving story, thanks for sharing it arely staircase Aug 2012 #214

one last thing arely staircase Aug 2012 #216

This message was self-deleted by its author devilgrrl Aug 2012 #219

I know a lot of people make the distinction between "white trash," etc., and "redneck," etc. antigone382 Aug 2012 #240

This message was self-deleted by its author devilgrrl Aug 2012 #180

Then don't reply to it. n/t antigone382 Aug 2012 #191

+1 ncgrits Aug 2012 #213

redneck is not always a bad thing in itself, Bill Clinton calls himself a redneck JI7 Aug 2012 #158

Redneck is a way of behaving and living. It is NOT a race or ethnicity. Systematic Chaos Aug 2012 #161

But it IS classist, and here is the impact that such a stereotype has: antigone382 Aug 2012 #166

Thanks for sharing this, Antigone! ncgrits Aug 2012 #210

Change your name to BlueRocco. Problem solved. nt hay rick Aug 2012 #195

are you? ibegurpard Aug 2012 #218

Forgive a silly question, but F. Kafka Aug 2012 #228

Because "redneck" doesn't have the same historical context as the N-word or other slurs. alp227 Aug 2012 #232

When rednecks have been NashvilleLefty Aug 2012 #233

Redneck gals going to the beach Go Vols Aug 2012 #238

You know the history of the term? nadinbrzezinski Aug 2012 #239