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blur256

(979 posts)

51. I promise I'm not trying to stir the pot

Fri Sep 12, 2014, 01:04 PM

Sep 2014

but being a poor person myself, I don't find the term white trash offensive to myself. Trailer trash, yes, because that points out people in a particular living situation which in many cases is not their fault. But when it comes to "white trash" I see that as calling out white people who are willfully ignorant of the way they act because they are white people and feel like they can do whatever they want.

Even though I am super poor, I do not feel like I am "white trash" because I go out of my way to treat all people with respect. I believe that everyone adds value to society in some way or form. To me, that is the difference between being "white trash" and not. In my mind it has nothing to do with socio-economic status, and everything to do with your mindset, whether you be rich or poor.

Like I said, not trying to stir the pot, it is just my view of it.

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White trash. Trailer Trash. People of Wall mart. [View all] hootinholler Sep 2014 OP

Keep waiting for that to end JustAnotherGen Sep 2014 #1

Your implying Walmart is cheaper Omaha Steve Sep 2014 #34

No I'm not - I'm saying what I know of my own sister JustAnotherGen Sep 2014 #40

Are there no stores between SheilaT Sep 2014 #50

I don't know JustAnotherGen Sep 2014 #61

It might be worthwhile finding out. SheilaT Sep 2014 #163

I want to thank you for that. MyNameGoesHere Sep 2014 #217

I know your post is intended as somewhat subtle SheilaT Sep 2014 #239

In the WalMart movie, they show how WalMart's factories use lower thread cottons, etc adigal Sep 2014 #271

When I was a poor single mother... Rozlee Sep 2014 #87

My kids wore good label clothes, and we still do.. mountain grammy Sep 2014 #139

Same here Tree-Hugger Sep 2014 #280

In some towns, mine for instance, Walmart ran those other stores out Jamastiene Sep 2014 #159

You really are tazkcmo Sep 2014 #176

All I can say is that the rare times I've SheilaT Sep 2014 #204

Those of us on limited income do price comparisons constantly. Hatchling Sep 2014 #246

Big Lots. nt PassingFair Sep 2014 #225

Big Lots? Tree-Hugger Sep 2014 #279

Our local Publix's grocery store is cheaper than walmart for most food. classykaren Sep 2014 #203

My daughter did her undergrad degree in Kirksville, MO. tblue37 Sep 2014 #232

I knew a guy who threw out a ton of food demigoddess Sep 2014 #133

Oh, I agree tazkcmo Sep 2014 #177

so your saying 1dogleft Sep 2014 #208

Precisely Sherman A1 Sep 2014 #185

+1 raven mad Sep 2014 #191

It is interesting about square feet. KitSileya Sep 2014 #206

I agree. MineralMan Sep 2014 #2

That's exactly how they're used, used by wanna-be elitist jerks who think they're better than Leontius Sep 2014 #96

Arguing about stores misses the point of the OP. Eleanors38 Sep 2014 #172

Good point. MissB Sep 2014 #3

It's situational. You can slander poor people if they're white and vote the wrong way. Throd Sep 2014 #4

Message auto-removed Name removed Sep 2014 #6

You hit it on the nose! hedgehog Sep 2014 #71

Yep. Gotta ticket to ride. nt Eleanors38 Sep 2014 #175

Yes, they do. I'm seeing a lot of regional bias, racism, sexism, lately. NYC_SKP Sep 2014 #5

Sadly, class prejudice is OK, if not outright fashionable, QC Sep 2014 #7

All the povs need to do is put on a suit and fix their teeth shaayecanaan Sep 2014 #199

Yep. They're just too damn lazy to claim their place QC Sep 2014 #212

That is a good point. I see stuff here on DU that is alienating the KoKo Sep 2014 #269

Even Wikipedia recognizes those terms as derogatory and racist. Viz: MineralMan Sep 2014 #8

Good luck with that. It's going to get worse leftstreet Sep 2014 #9

White trash is a racist term./NT DemocratSinceBirth Sep 2014 #10

But it is derogatory and condescending and it's wrong. n/t totodeinhere Sep 2014 #70

Absolutely true. Louisiana1976 Sep 2014 #112

Not racist terms, but racially insensitive. LexVegas Sep 2014 #11

it's flat out racist. cali Sep 2014 #72

I disagree, although I think it is very offensive. LexVegas Sep 2014 #93

It is possible to be racist against Caucasians. Louisiana1976 Sep 2014 #113

No, it isn t. Whites don t suffer from systemic oppression based on skin color. ncjustice80 Sep 2014 #171

google 1dogleft Sep 2014 #210

If you dont believe minorities in America are not oppressed by the white majority, I don t know what ncjustice80 Sep 2014 #278

the definition 1dogleft Sep 2014 #283

Whites don't suffer from discrimination, but the poor do. DesertDiamond Sep 2014 #235

Not all racism is systemic AgingAmerican Sep 2014 #248

So whats the difference? You cant be a different race and be called "white trash". It IS racist 7962 Sep 2014 #118

" White trash" is racist but not in the way you think. Gormy Cuss Sep 2014 #124

You gotta be kidding me. Its an insult to white people. 7962 Sep 2014 #131

Think about it: why do people qualify the word trash with 'white?" Gormy Cuss Sep 2014 #167

Because "trash" is the insult. Never heard "(insert race) trash" anywhere. 7962 Sep 2014 #188

If trash is the insult, there's no reason to say "white trash." Gormy Cuss Sep 2014 #228

Education helps diffuse your confusion and outrage. bobduca Sep 2014 #197

Being from the south. "White Trash" is the same social level as being a "Nig**r" just different race LiberalArkie Sep 2014 #184

Great points. YoungDemCA Sep 2014 #201

Excellent post! hootinholler Sep 2014 #244

Would "black trash" cwydro Sep 2014 #154

It's racist in the assumption that all roody Sep 2014 #168

It originated with black slaves shaayecanaan Sep 2014 #200

Categorising and stereotyping people in terms of race is racism bhikkhu Sep 2014 #227

It's been said that hillbilly jen63 Sep 2014 #12

Have Things Changed That Much RadicalGeek Sep 2014 #45

True n/t jen63 Sep 2014 #54

The only one that can call me a hillbilly is me! mtngirl47 Sep 2014 #47

You would be able to understand my accent get the red out Sep 2014 #56

Of course I would!! jen63 Sep 2014 #62

I'm Appalachian too jen63 Sep 2014 #59

I'd like to invite everyone to visit the Appalachia group forum theHandpuppet Sep 2014 #74

Thank you! jen63 Sep 2014 #79

This message was self-deleted by its author amandabeech Sep 2014 #57

I have a grandson who's from WV. Rozlee Sep 2014 #98

Thank you for considering how that nickname is demeaning theHandpuppet Sep 2014 #230

* Rozlee Sep 2014 #240

When I say redneck rickyhall Sep 2014 #138

Well, to be fair 99% of them are pigs xD ncjustice80 Sep 2014 #174

Would you call jen63 Sep 2014 #178

No and no rickyhall Sep 2014 #249

White trash, trailer trash, jen63 Sep 2014 #265

Really Mr Dixon Sep 2014 #13

Right here in River City hootinholler Sep 2014 #17

I have used those words. Why? PDJane Sep 2014 #14

I have used them too brer cat Sep 2014 #37

Thank you hootinholler Sep 2014 #39

Can I just call them trash? BrotherIvan Sep 2014 #55

Calling another human being 'Trash' dehuminises, which is, unfortunately, I think the point. nt kelly1mm Sep 2014 #95

So what do you call people whose job it is to dehumanize other people? BrotherIvan Sep 2014 #111

Bigoted ass hats. Neoma Sep 2014 #121

I call people people, or humans, all of which are due respect as humans. If some person kelly1mm Sep 2014 #125

Republicans??? Tea party members?? classykaren Sep 2014 #205

my definition, not the general one. Sorry, I didn't make myself clear. PDJane Sep 2014 #123

Totally agree--a Progressive forum should be mindful pleinair Sep 2014 #15

Since I live in a mobile home, I do not like the term "trailer trash." n/t RebelOne Sep 2014 #16

Me too! SoapBox Sep 2014 #88

1k a month lot rent???? wow, what state are you in? 7962 Sep 2014 #129

I am in Georgia just northwest of Atlanta and pay $400 a month RebelOne Sep 2014 #181

I'm in GA too. Wondering where 1K for lot rent is normal! 7962 Sep 2014 #187

I still live in my mobile home and am debt-free. RebelOne Sep 2014 #268

You planned well. SO many dont; some by choice. 7962 Sep 2014 #274

My sister's first home after she was married was a mobile home--and she was not "trash." Louisiana1976 Sep 2014 #115

I do too. Worried senior Sep 2014 #130

Thank you. theHandpuppet Sep 2014 #18

WTF? 99Forever Sep 2014 #19

That sound you heard earlier hootinholler Sep 2014 #26

ahh yes... 99Forever Sep 2014 #41

We can trade insults all day hootinholler Sep 2014 #46

the only person engaging in insults in this exchange carolinayellowdog Sep 2014 #219

Well... 99Forever Sep 2014 #220

Completely misses the point of the OP and resorts to insults cordelia Sep 2014 #224

You lost the entire point of the OP yeoman6987 Sep 2014 #27

no. that's clearly not what the op thinks. cali Sep 2014 #75

That's not what the OP said. Laffy Kat Sep 2014 #81

Kind of like racist and anti-Semite roll off the tongue. FlatStanley Sep 2014 #20

say what? cali Sep 2014 #76

In the way it is easy to throw around the terms white trash and trailer trash FlatStanley Sep 2014 #195

These descriptive terms are heaven05 Sep 2014 #21

That's Where I'm At ProfessorGAC Sep 2014 #91

No, the racist heaven05 Sep 2014 #186

There, but for the grace of whatever, go all of us. Barack_America Sep 2014 #22

Any denigrating words only serve to further divide the masses rurallib Sep 2014 #23

But Now RadicalGeek Sep 2014 #44

Rarely, though, do we come out and say "poor people." n/t Orsino Sep 2014 #24

I live in a mobile home and I am not a poor person. n/t RebelOne Sep 2014 #128

Most DO vote Republican though, ErikJ Sep 2014 #25

I would like to see the data backing your assertion hootinholler Sep 2014 #28

Food stamp capital of the US is 99% WHITE and 95% REPUBLICAN ErikJ Sep 2014 #49

This is true! get the red out Sep 2014 #58

So true and so sad. mountain grammy Sep 2014 #141

And by so-called Progressives calling them things like cordelia Sep 2014 #69

Sarah Palin ErikJ Sep 2014 #97

I think the very fact she is a yuiyoshida Sep 2014 #108

It's true here in Southwest Virginia. phylny Sep 2014 #78

Do you know where in the world of SW VA is a place called Honaker? Richlands? rateyes Sep 2014 #162

Yes :) phylny Sep 2014 #173

I lived in Honaker for almost 5 years back in the late 80s and early 90s. rateyes Sep 2014 #183

<-- Grundy boy. Richlands was our closest "mall" (Claypool Hill). n/t X_Digger Sep 2014 #194

Oh, I remember the mall at Claypool Hill. rateyes Sep 2014 #211

K-Mart, Magic Mart, and Rose's. If you couldn't find it there, it's off to Bluefield or Bristol. n/t X_Digger Sep 2014 #242

Yep. I grew up in Kingsport, TN. rateyes Sep 2014 #243

Maybe most do not vote. nt No Vested Interest Sep 2014 #31

+1 leftstreet Sep 2014 #89

Sure RadicalGeek Sep 2014 #43

So that makes it OK? 7962 Sep 2014 #132

Your ignorance is stunning. cwydro Sep 2014 #213

Thank you. cordelia Sep 2014 #221

as a resident of a "trailer park" Scout Sep 2014 #29

I've done demo on both snort Sep 2014 #160

Hey cwydro Sep 2014 #161

They're my kind of people. Octafish Sep 2014 #30

Well-said. I'd include denigrating comments about peoples' health and teeth, too. arcane1 Sep 2014 #32

Whoever said Democrats/ Progressives were perfect? No Vested Interest Sep 2014 #33

What do you expect? MADem Sep 2014 #35

"Trailer trash" is mean-spirited and anything but Progressive. democrank Sep 2014 #36

Agree wholeheartedly. Louisiana1976 Sep 2014 #117

Well, we haven't had the term "ratchet" show up here yet snooper2 Sep 2014 #38

I had to look that one up... Lochloosa Sep 2014 #67

To Me RadicalGeek Sep 2014 #42

Message auto-removed Name removed Sep 2014 #259

During the early days of my divorce, I saw a therapist. randome Sep 2014 #48

I promise I'm not trying to stir the pot blur256 Sep 2014 #51

You may feel differently if people use the term regarding you. OnlinePoker Sep 2014 #86

I didn't think that came out right... blur256 Sep 2014 #94

And actually, let me step that back further blur256 Sep 2014 #102

Message auto-removed Name removed Sep 2014 #260

12' X 72' Family of Five Lochloosa Sep 2014 #52

More like quality of life and understanding what's important.. mountain grammy Sep 2014 #146

Yep. Lochloosa Sep 2014 #151

14' x 70' now. Jamastiene Sep 2014 #166

"People of Walmart" is an awful site. GoCubsGo Sep 2014 #53

Those are real people - how can it be awful? Those are the people we live around - can't take the Hestia Sep 2014 #107

The site makes fun of those people. GoCubsGo Sep 2014 #116

I've seen the site twice and it is awful. It does make fun of people mountain grammy Sep 2014 #142

I have known many good hard working people who live in trailers or very low rent apartments. logosoco Sep 2014 #60

Thats why you'll never see me use those terms madokie Sep 2014 #63

+1 I can't stand those terms. Living beings are not trash, period. Live and Learn Sep 2014 #64

If you want a great insight into this culture The Green Manalishi Sep 2014 #65

It's a cultural thing unrelated to income.... Spitfire of ATJ Sep 2014 #66

The point of maost/all bigoted terms is to mark a group as the 'other' and dehumanize them. kelly1mm Sep 2014 #99

They'll get the benefits we fight for despite their claiming the #1 problem in America is Liberals. Spitfire of ATJ Sep 2014 #145

I grew up in a fairly privileged middle class home. MadrasT Sep 2014 #68

amen to this! want to add, i think some people from poverty might actually nashville_brook Sep 2014 #144

I don't intend to be a perfect human being ... Trajan Sep 2014 #73

Maybe there will be a new term thrown around: "white trash privilege", LOL Corruption Inc Sep 2014 #77

Link? nt alp227 Sep 2014 #140

Good post. Thank you! riqster Sep 2014 #80

Thank you, hootinholler for your thoughtful post. Kicking! nt littlemissmartypants Sep 2014 #82

I despise these terms. Quayblue Sep 2014 #83

I may have used that term once or twice in my lifetime Catherine Vincent Sep 2014 #84

Trailer Trash - 90,000 sq. foot "home" packman Sep 2014 #85

"White trash" delete_bush Sep 2014 #192

For me, trash is trash regardless of economic or ethnic circumstance or address. LoisB Sep 2014 #90

+1000 SoapBox Sep 2014 #92

No human being should be described as trash. That is dehumanizing. It is siply a way to 'other' kelly1mm Sep 2014 #103

I've been hesitant to use those terms being I live in a trailer Cleita Sep 2014 #100

There's living in a mobile home and then there is trailer trash - two wholly different species Hestia Sep 2014 #110

Funny, I live in the guts of Appalachia Tsiyu Sep 2014 #148

+1 Quayblue Sep 2014 #164

Thank you Quayblue Tsiyu Sep 2014 #253

+1 Tree-Hugger Sep 2014 #281

I totally agree! graywarrior Sep 2014 #101

I've lived in poverty Android3.14 Sep 2014 #104

Agreed! DrewFlorida Sep 2014 #105

Post removed Post removed Sep 2014 #106

So what terms do you use for African Americans who are like that? FrodosPet Sep 2014 #120

I am looking forward to an answer. cordelia Sep 2014 #122

Are you fond of the N-word too? Gormy Cuss Sep 2014 #126

nailed that one! 7962 Sep 2014 #135

Exactly nt Tree-Hugger Sep 2014 #282

"only republicans do that". Thats gotta be the joke of the day!! How long you been on DU? 7962 Sep 2014 #134

At the very least, those terms are divisive and only serve to aid the Republicans when we use them. Uncle Joe Sep 2014 #109

the term "white trash".. sendero Sep 2014 #114

This message was self-deleted by its author Go Vols Sep 2014 #165

I know good progressives don't like Walmart but it's one of my favorite places to shop. Because Louisiana1976 Sep 2014 #119

I for one don't denigrate those who shop there. delete_bush Sep 2014 #190

Have you noticed that locks Sep 2014 #127

Living in a trailer don't make you "trailer trash" rickyhall Sep 2014 #136

Lets not diss wolves here either kmlisle Sep 2014 #143

How about using the term "sociopaths" for that is what they really are Dont call me Shirley Sep 2014 #137

Thanks GummyBearz Sep 2014 #147

Grew up in the 50's with Dad in the Marine Corps.. mountain grammy Sep 2014 #149

Message auto-removed Name removed Sep 2014 #150

Thank you for this post. cwydro Sep 2014 #152

I used to expect better from this forum, but now I expect to see support for endless war, SS 'on the sabrina 1 Sep 2014 #153

It's ugly when "liberals" learn to hate. Eleanors38 Sep 2014 #180

Especially when they join Right Wingers in t heir hatred for the 'left'. Seen lots of that here sabrina 1 Sep 2014 #196

here's Sarah's "trailer." Tsiyu Sep 2014 #155

" That's where the real criminals hang out. " In_The_Wind Sep 2014 #218

Hey, ITW Tsiyu Sep 2014 #254

My own bias is a very dim view of Gated Community Trash. JEB Sep 2014 #156

Trailer trash is another one that rolls off the tongues of too many DUers. Jamastiene Sep 2014 #157

People of Wal Mart has all races (n/t) gaspee Sep 2014 #158

and it's not poverty that makes them dress badly enough to make that web site Skittles Sep 2014 #169

Sounds like someone needs to check their privilege. ncjustice80 Sep 2014 #170

If you think this is about maintaining white privilege hootinholler Sep 2014 #245

It's what comes from allowing culture war issues to trump economic analysis. eridani Sep 2014 #179

Message auto-removed Name removed Sep 2014 #256

I agree. I grew up in a trailer. Seems rather contradictory, hypocritical, and bigoted liberal_at_heart Sep 2014 #182

As a matter of fact I am a poor white person booley Sep 2014 #189

Message auto-removed Name removed Sep 2014 #257

This thread went off topic immediately tiredtoo Sep 2014 #193

Hate speech loyalsister Sep 2014 #198

Sarah Palin, et al are irrelevant in terms of who actually has power in the US YoungDemCA Sep 2014 #202

Thank you for saying this! Ridiculing those who suffer from proverty is just plain wrong. DesertDiamond Sep 2014 #207

I think when white people are dirt poor it is more likely to be because they have other problems. Chemisse Sep 2014 #209

You're joking, right? Tsiyu Sep 2014 #247

+100 theHandpuppet Sep 2014 #250

Thanks Handpuppet Tsiyu Sep 2014 #251

Good points. Nevertheless, Chemisse Sep 2014 #252

Money hides a lot of prevalence Tsiyu Sep 2014 #255

Sure, whatever. Chemisse Sep 2014 #264

Well, that's certainly mature Tsiyu Sep 2014 #275

Food Stamps and Walmart ninjanurse Sep 2014 #214

Well if you havent noticed santroy79 Sep 2014 #215

I agree. K and R. n/t Smarmie Doofus Sep 2014 #216

This is an issue of classism, not racism gollygee Sep 2014 #222

Message auto-removed Name removed Sep 2014 #258

Trailer Park Boys (now on Netflix) is not helping... L0oniX Sep 2014 #223

i live in the country side drray23 Sep 2014 #226

Yeah, I agree with you on this one. davidthegnome Sep 2014 #229

+1. nt tblue37 Sep 2014 #231

From my DU Journal, 2005 & 2006 theHandpuppet Sep 2014 #233

Message auto-removed Name removed Sep 2014 #234

Yep, it insinuates that it is expected for poor people to behave that way but not wealthy people suffragette Sep 2014 #236

I think there are like 3 or 4 different ways hootinholler Sep 2014 #263

White Trash is not an economic term. It's a behavior. alphafemale Sep 2014 #237

We would be better to let go of that term "White Trash." KoKo Sep 2014 #266

Most of us whites are trash. alphafemale Sep 2014 #272

Especially given the implicit meaning of the term Scootaloo Sep 2014 #277

Question? Heather MC Sep 2014 #238

Walmart is the meme for the mentality that is destroying America JCMach1 Sep 2014 #241

Thanks "Hoot" ...we can rail against Wall Mart for Change in its Policies KoKo Sep 2014 #261

Your last sentence sums up a lot hootinholler Sep 2014 #262

Extreme political correctness ... JEFF9K Sep 2014 #267

You've got a lot of posts, so I guess I can assume (!) you've been around awhile. ladyVet Sep 2014 #270

The complete term is 'white priveledge' trash. maced666 Sep 2014 #273

This isn't a progressive forum. it's a DEMOCRATIC forum Scootaloo Sep 2014 #276