General Discussion

Skidmore

(37,364 posts)

9. No. It is not what "they" have done. It is what has been sold to them

Thu Dec 19, 2013, 09:21 AM

Dec 2013

as success. Part of that is the wholesale shredding of the nation's educational system and a presentation of circus as a quicker way to success. Look, I grew up in an impoverished family too. We had a mother who taught us that education was valuable and essential to achieving upward mobility. She also taught us that presenting ourselves to the world with dignity was important too. You don't have to buy the circus image in either the "white trash" or the "Dallas" or any other kind of "trash" forms. Rewards for success have become greatly skewed by this conspicuous consumption, rampant capitalism on steriods that has been sold people over the years. When you pursue circus and media brokered definitions of success, focus is directed away from the more systemic and institutionalized problems of the nation and the world.

As for what is wrong with Honey Boo Boo. Nothing. She is a child. On the other hand, she is being exploited. And I don't really have the time to pursue that in depth now.

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When did white trash become normal? [View all] Katashi_itto Dec 2013 OP

for those who forgot about poor white trash FatBuddy Dec 2013 #1

David Allen Coe! Dr Hobbitstein Dec 2013 #11

SMH Mr Dixon Dec 2013 #2

When the nation's "makers" decided that Skidmore Dec 2013 #3

+1 daleanime Dec 2013 #38

Well said - thank you! Mopar151 Dec 2013 #107

Seinfeld was long done and over by the time Richards went off on his racist rant. Kurovski Dec 2013 #158

I don't get it. Why are they bad? sibelian Dec 2013 #4

It has nothing to do with poverty and everything to do with mean-spirited ignorance combined Egalitarian Thug Dec 2013 #8

Honey Boo Boo isn't an example of mean-spiritedness though get the red out Dec 2013 #46

All I know about any of them is what I'm unable to avoid, mostly here. Egalitarian Thug Dec 2013 #49

that's hardly the point that the OP article is making though fishwax Dec 2013 #139

I agree. And the line about bounced check fees is kind of telling as well. nt Iris Dec 2013 #227

oh yeah--good point! fishwax Dec 2013 #229

There are a lot of people who aren't cultured in this country get the red out Dec 2013 #157

The Beverly Hillbillies was a comedy show, it was not something to aspire to. Egalitarian Thug Dec 2013 #169

It doesn't matter what people "aspire" to. What matters is what they ARE. sibelian Dec 2013 #182

I found the Beverly Hillbillies quite demeaning get the red out Dec 2013 #191

They are working class and speak with a southern drawl FrodosPet Dec 2013 #60

If people could hear my drawl when I post.... get the red out Dec 2013 #155

Same here... grew up in NC... live in WV Rhythm Dec 2013 #159

To a northern elitist's ears, southern drawl equals KKK FrodosPet Dec 2013 #162

+1 Kurovski Dec 2013 #161

It's the one of the bunch that is not hateful. xmas74 Dec 2013 #186

^^^^THIS! laundry_queen Dec 2013 #192

TLC thought they had a running gag with the family. xmas74 Dec 2013 #195

Agreed. laundry_queen Dec 2013 #201

We're in the same boat. xmas74 Dec 2013 #208

THANK YOU. I also thought the framing was disgusting. sibelian Dec 2013 #199

They are hardworking folks xmas74 Dec 2013 #206

Thank you! Well said! Jamastiene Dec 2013 #221

Her uncle, (her father's brother, I believe) xmas74 Dec 2013 #222

ah, that helps to explain why a right-winger like the author of the article would dislike that show fishwax Dec 2013 #228

We don't watch much by way of reality tv xmas74 Dec 2013 #231

No. It is not what "they" have done. It is what has been sold to them Skidmore Dec 2013 #9

That all sounds very reasonable... sibelian Dec 2013 #34

Nicely said! Katashi_itto Dec 2013 #39

Thank you. Le Taz Hot Dec 2013 #10

I agree. pintobean Dec 2013 #17

+ one million n/t malaise Dec 2013 #21

This same poster engages in personal attacks against anyone who does not praise Bluenorthwest Dec 2013 #22

he is also a poster that DEMANDs we all live in his trashy world of porn. a lot of ironic, i see, seabeyond Dec 2013 #27

Maybe you can spare us of your appraisals of other DU'ers posting habits. KittyWampus Dec 2013 #87

Well said. Lizzie Poppet Dec 2013 #23

and just as disgusting Niceguy1 Dec 2013 #30

Yup. Very easy to crap on the 'peons' below. HappyMe Dec 2013 #56

Thank YOU. sibelian Dec 2013 #28

you are so spot on. hey, why not just refer to certain groups of people as vermin? cali Dec 2013 #173

Exceptional post. nt Demo_Chris Dec 2013 #29

You already know pecwae Dec 2013 #160

Do I? sibelian Dec 2013 #171

calls out the man that wants everyone to wallow in the trash with him. ya, when did we start seabeyond Dec 2013 #5

It was always normal, we just didn't celebrate it. Egalitarian Thug Dec 2013 #6

Bullseye, ET. Paladin Dec 2013 #12

Thanks, I don't think it's an accident. n/t Egalitarian Thug Dec 2013 #47

White Trash grammiepammie Dec 2013 #74

Lots of truth in this post. Ikonoklast Dec 2013 #151

To me, it's a realization that people actually watch that stuff. I'm in a quandary as to why? BlueJazz Dec 2013 #76

I have no idea whatsoever, but then, I couldn't even take the commercials. Egalitarian Thug Dec 2013 #100

Yes, you hit it on the head! Awknid Dec 2013 #13

Corporate Media, Inc. (R) is pimping role models for the Proles of Tomorrow Berlum Dec 2013 #7

+1000 Tom Ripley Dec 2013 #65

And then go ahead and die early from your obesity-caused diabetes, stroke, or heart attack. Arugula Latte Dec 2013 #113

This message was self-deleted by its author seabeyond Dec 2013 #115

Wait, what? Arugula Latte Dec 2013 #123

thanks for the clarification. i will delete. nt seabeyond Dec 2013 #125

Okay, thanks. Arugula Latte Dec 2013 #127

The minute that the Pilgrims stepped out onto Plymouth Rock. onehandle Dec 2013 #14

I don't call other human beings 'trash'. Because they are not. Bluenorthwest Dec 2013 #15

Thank you, Bluenorthwest, Le Taz Hot Dec 2013 #19

Paint a broad enough picture? Katashi_itto Dec 2013 #20

Then maybe you can refine the definition. Le Taz Hot Dec 2013 #24

I can help! snooper2 Dec 2013 #214

People are not trash. Why do you claim that they are trash? Bluenorthwest Dec 2013 #33

I forgot the pope is behind everything Katashi_itto Dec 2013 #36

I'm pointing out the stark raving contradictions in your postings Bluenorthwest Dec 2013 #48

You mean like the Duck Dynasty Patriarch that attacked the LBGT community. You know the group your Katashi_itto Dec 2013 #68

...sssoooo if a black guy calls me a faggot.... sibelian Dec 2013 #86

What tripe. People are not trash. The difference between Duck Guy and Pope Francis is sartorial. Bluenorthwest Dec 2013 #137

Snicker, who is being disingenuous? Costumes...Seriously? Thats your difference? If you can't Katashi_itto Dec 2013 #185

You are free to compare and contrast Duck Pope to Francis Pope and show us the differences. Bluenorthwest Dec 2013 #230

LGBTQ are not a "group" and Universal Human Rights is not some friggin 'fringe' issue idwiyo Dec 2013 #184

+1 idwiyo Dec 2013 #177

Amen JustAnotherGen Dec 2013 #202

+1 I abhor that term. nt Live and Learn Dec 2013 #217

when failin quitter was selected to be vp for gramps. nt Javaman Dec 2013 #16

I think these kids are far trashier. HappyMe Dec 2013 #18

So people on DU are praising an article stating that "elites" need to take the reins of culture alcibiades_mystery Dec 2013 #25

I suspect they didn't read the article. smokey nj Dec 2013 #26

Conservative product placement JHB Dec 2013 #190

No, we are sufficiently intelligent to recognize that this is the result of manipulation by Egalitarian Thug Dec 2013 #40

Indeed. She can keep her Toynbee. fishwax Dec 2013 #108

When they became the politically safest group to dump on. Eleanors38 Dec 2013 #31

White trash? Social ills? Pathologies? "Stayed put"? Brickbat Dec 2013 #32

It's unbelievable that this reactionary trash is being given thumbs-up on DU alcibiades_mystery Dec 2013 #37

Really? You find it unbelievable? redqueen Dec 2013 #102

Oh dear, I'd give her the vapors. a la izquierda Dec 2013 #175

White trash has always been out there. It is the economics of cable that are different BlueStreak Dec 2013 #35

This OP is appalling. When did referring to people as "trash" become normal? myrna minx Dec 2013 #41

You mean Duck Dynasty, Jersey Shore, Honey Boo Boo, depict mainstream? Katashi_itto Dec 2013 #43

I didn't say they were mainstream, did I? I think debasing humans as trash should never be"normal" myrna minx Dec 2013 #52

So putting these people on cable and glorifying them is ok? Katashi_itto Dec 2013 #53

Please don't deflect. My commentary is about referring to people as trash: it's debasing myrna minx Dec 2013 #57

I am hardly deflecting. They are being glorified for profit. Katashi_itto Dec 2013 #64

So that justifies calling these people "trash"? myrna minx Dec 2013 #67

I would point out it was the NY Post that phrased it. Katashi_itto Dec 2013 #73

....aaaand, what do YOU think? sibelian Dec 2013 #80

Uuuuh, unlike WHO ELSE on television? sibelian Dec 2013 #71

You've since edited - so I will respond to: myrna minx Dec 2013 #59

Nobody here is saying that what the Duck Dynasty guy said is fine. HappyMe Dec 2013 #119

They do for me. ForgoTheConsequence Dec 2013 #165

I agree. Calling people trash is elitist and appalling. liberal_at_heart Dec 2013 #98

About 1830. Ironically, first used by black slaves against white servants. Comrade Grumpy Dec 2013 #150

Jury went 3-3. Anyone have alerter/juror comments? /nt pintobean Dec 2013 #42

Here it is: Le Taz Hot Dec 2013 #54

Thank you. pintobean Dec 2013 #61

Elitist crap from Charlotte Hays, Ayn Rand enthusiast jsr Dec 2013 #44

Charlotte Hays on Michelle Obama: Bluenorthwest Dec 2013 #63

Even a broken clock is right twice a day. I would view th majority of teabaggers, with Katashi_itto Dec 2013 #66

as long as i can remember and i`m 66 yrs old. madrchsod Dec 2013 #45

We need the "unrec" button back. Brigid Dec 2013 #50

When the corporate media realized there was money to be made from using them as entertainment. Arkansas Granny Dec 2013 #51

The BooBoos are a subset of Southern culture that gets confused with others. Are_grits_groceries Dec 2013 #55

". . . they are a bubble or two off plumb." Le Taz Hot Dec 2013 #69

+1. jsr Dec 2013 #89

+1 xulamaude Dec 2013 #148

I know families just like them. xmas74 Dec 2013 #194

When WalMart began sprawling towards urban centers Capt. Obvious Dec 2013 #58

ah. so now we "white trash" the customers of walmart cause they are poor, seabeyond Dec 2013 #62

Actually in rural areas it is more cost effective to buy vegetables/produce and meats from the local Harmony Blue Dec 2013 #72

he joined the meme that walmart customers are white trash. are you defending that? seabeyond Dec 2013 #75

No need to defend what I observed Harmony Blue Dec 2013 #81

so, you are supporting his position that walmart customers are "white trash"? seabeyond Dec 2013 #88

and another example. so to pretend it meant something else is disingenuous. seabeyond Dec 2013 #79

Because everyone knows that people have HappyMe Dec 2013 #84

The NY Post author sounds like a massive tool. Dash87 Dec 2013 #70

When did classifying people as "Trash" become normal? MineralMan Dec 2013 #77

Your post and the one below it are the best in the thread davidpdx Dec 2013 #180

Thank you. MineralMan Dec 2013 #209

+1 nt Live and Learn Dec 2013 #219

This may be the most disgusting elitist, classist article I've seen posted on DU independentpiney Dec 2013 #78

+1 gollygee Dec 2013 #83

+2 Starry Messenger Dec 2013 #96

Oh, the "intelligent DUers" who nod at this opinion column can determine that obesity and tattoos alcibiades_mystery Dec 2013 #97

+3 sibelian Dec 2013 #111

+5 tenderfoot Dec 2013 #156

How many plusses are we up to? ++++++ johnp3907 Dec 2013 #170

A very good point davidpdx Dec 2013 #179

I bet this thread makes a few DU'ers feel really good about themselves. It's sick. KittyWampus Dec 2013 #82

Since the colonies from Maryland to Georgia were settled by prisoners and indentured servants FarCenter Dec 2013 #85

.... sibelian Dec 2013 #90

Penal transportation FarCenter Dec 2013 #93

You appear to be suggesting that familal descent from prisoners or indentured servitude earns sibelian Dec 2013 #147

Culture is as unchanging as genes. FarCenter Dec 2013 #149

? Katashi_itto Dec 2013 #189

"Since British trash was transported to the colonies" is the answer to your OP's headline FarCenter Dec 2013 #212

Falling for the Hype 4Q2u2 Dec 2013 #91

There is a big difference in being prejudice and just being rural. I grew up in Texas. I met liberal_at_heart Dec 2013 #92

I lived in Alamogordo for a number of years, your quite right. Katashi_itto Dec 2013 #95

There are two copyright violations in this original post, as well: MineralMan Dec 2013 #94

And he posted it on your lawn Capt. Obvious Dec 2013 #140

When PJs become formal wear. ileus Dec 2013 #99

About he same time poor uneducated black men began rapping about Township75 Dec 2013 #101

Hmm. Conservative "former gossip columnist" openly berates poor/working-class whites JHB Dec 2013 #103

OMG - when the NY Post complains about white trash LibertyLover Dec 2013 #104

Interesting that you and a few others think classist sewage from the Post is insightful. nt redqueen Dec 2013 #105

On behalf of Camaro-Americans everywhere, that columnist can go fuck herself. LeftyMom Dec 2013 #106

LMAO! Sissyk Dec 2013 #122

Lol!! Katashi_itto Dec 2013 #126

Brilliant! Lizzie Poppet Dec 2013 #203

These shows are about mocking the poor. Marr Dec 2013 #109

I think it's that and more. Reality shows are this age's version of the Roman Gladiatorial Games Katashi_itto Dec 2013 #112

... partly. lumberjack_jeff Dec 2013 #152

You are not worth the hide to tell you what I think of this hootinholler Dec 2013 #110

You are in sore need of a Joe Bageant lecture Burma Jones Dec 2013 #114

Yes by god your right. I can see Honey Boo Boo, or Snooki churning out such winsome prose. Katashi_itto Dec 2013 #117

You're, not your Burma Jones Dec 2013 #121

I'm not getting huffy. I just await with baited breath Honey Boo Boo's next literary masterpiece. Katashi_itto Dec 2013 #124

having never watched the show myself, you are now dissing a child for her intellectualism, or seabeyond Dec 2013 #129

You haven't watched the show? And making that Statement? Katashi_itto Dec 2013 #130

" baited breath Honey Boo Boo's next literary masterpiece." and you expectation of children seabeyond Dec 2013 #131

See #129 Katashi_itto Dec 2013 #132

no thank you. you exhibit just another part of bigotry. nt seabeyond Dec 2013 #133

Lol!! Katashi_itto Dec 2013 #134

Yes...because classist bigotry is SO FUNNEH! Lizzie Poppet Dec 2013 #204

Since you are so awesomely superior, where HappyMe Dec 2013 #142

Actually I do. Took three years but I've 201 page script (long for a script ac Katashi_itto Dec 2013 #174

Breath held in anticipation is 'bated' not 'baited'. Bluenorthwest Dec 2013 #193

-- George Takei Katashi_itto Dec 2013 #200

I don't know when it became normal, but it started during Reagan. Iggo Dec 2013 #116

I'm conflicted about this offensive article. lumberjack_jeff Dec 2013 #118

Agree, when I read the article, it managed to hit both sides of the coin at once. Katashi_itto Dec 2013 #120

Agreed! The issue should be the dumbing down and coarsening of modern entertainment. LongTomH Dec 2013 #153

Yes! Delphinus Dec 2013 #183

Sideshows have always existed in some form ProudToBeBlueInRhody Dec 2013 #128

Apparently, it's OK to vilify poor people if they are white and not as sophisticated as you. Throd Dec 2013 #135

Absolutely. ForgoTheConsequence Dec 2013 #164

this column is elitist nonsense fishwax Dec 2013 #136

God,I feel ignorant.... SiobhanClancy Dec 2013 #138

If we really wish to start labeling people as trash Arcanetrance Dec 2013 #141

They seem nicer than the Kardashians spinbaby Dec 2013 #143

Conservative RW christianity, combined with ignorance/lack of education combined with mass AM RW Zorra Dec 2013 #144

My husband has southern relatives that fall into this group--although not 'white trash'-- mnhtnbb Dec 2013 #178

When it obtained the 2008 Republican Vice-Presidential nomination? 11 Bravo Dec 2013 #145

I have tried and was unable to watch the Honey Boo Boo show Gothmog Dec 2013 #146

Multiplied exponentially Faux pas Dec 2013 #154

Its always been normal for me. ForgoTheConsequence Dec 2013 #163

DU has a nasty side when it comes to the working class. nt Codeine Dec 2013 #188

That Duck Dynasty bigot has a Masters degree. ForgoTheConsequence Dec 2013 #166

And was a multimillionaire prior to the show. Lizzie Poppet Dec 2013 #205

Just another bigot making a living pandering to right/white wing, like Rush Limbaugh, etc. Hoyt Dec 2013 #210

At least you'll always have Pajama Boy to look up to. n/t Nuclear Unicorn Dec 2013 #167

TV isn't "normal", it's propaganda targeted at specific audiences Corruption Inc Dec 2013 #168

Elitist drivel. MadrasT Dec 2013 #172

The genre "reality TV" is the bane of our existence. GreenEyedLefty Dec 2013 #176

"Here Comes Honey Boo Boo�, " Duck Dynasty" etc. bobGandolf Dec 2013 #181

I grew up in a trailer in Wyoming. I'm poor. Codeine Dec 2013 #187

DU should have a prohibition against pipoman Dec 2013 #196

That doesn't go far enough Capt. Obvious Dec 2013 #207

as all things in america: WHEN IT BECAME PROFITABLE spanone Dec 2013 #197

I think this is a deeply ignorant post that speaks more to the deficiencies of some DUers, Romulox Dec 2013 #198

I agree the terminology is wrong, but I've been bombarded by Facebook support for this bigot Hoyt Dec 2013 #211

Why the outrage over the term "white trash"? rdharma Dec 2013 #213

I don't hate any reality shows. northoftheborder Dec 2013 #215

If this were normal, reality TV couldn't sell it to us. Orsino Dec 2013 #216

When, exactly, did we become white trash??? DreamGypsy Dec 2013 #218

When media moguls decided to stop paying for real writers/actors/directors/sets, etc SoCalDem Dec 2013 #220

its sad but true hifijohn Dec 2013 #223

Must everything we see be about upper middle class people? Quantess Dec 2013 #224

White trash is celebrated in our society and something many people aspire to be. Vashta Nerada Dec 2013 #225

"Famous" (or "notorious") does not = "normal." merrily Dec 2013 #226

It has been coming for some time PowerToThePeople Dec 2013 #232

when did calling human beings trash become okay at DU? This OP is awful, spreading hatred and bettyellen Dec 2013 #233