General Discussion

Tsiyu

(18,186 posts)

224. I'm guessing I've spent the past 40 years

Wed Aug 1, 2012, 10:10 PM

Aug 2012

living in the guts of the South. There was a time that I would have been the LAST person on earth to defend anything about the South. Then I grew up.

I have also traveled a fair amount, in and out of the US.

People is people. There are folks in Detroit and New Hampshire more Johnny Reb than my neighbors.

But if it feeds some innate human need, continue to feel superior to poor Appalachians and rural working class folks. You know, they're all the same. They all look the same, act the same, can't tell one from the other...

This is somehow comforting to some, and I find it absolutely a fascinating facet of human nature: no matter the level of education some have, they must have an "enemy."

I am no better, I just look down on everyone who is clueless....so I don't like anyone lol

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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