General Discussion

BrotherIvan

(9,126 posts)

55. Can I just call them trash?

Fri Sep 12, 2014, 01:07 PM

Sep 2014

Because there must be something less clinical than dysfunctional. But isn't that just the same thing? Can I call them teabillies? But that includes hillbilly so that's out. Whores doesn't cover it and is also offensive. So how best to describe their *self-manufactured* version of hillbilly trash? What about the Duck Dynasty family? They accentuate their white trashness for profit.

I think the term white trash has evolved far beyond the meaning of poor. It means more of a set of values and priorities that usually include right wing thinking, Limbaugh listening, fake Christians, choosing to spend money on cars and trucks rather than a home for their children (an example of someone I know who lives with his family of six in a motorcycle trailer with no bathroom and he and his wife spend all their combined $250k income on shopping, giant SUVs & trucks, and guns). What is the name for those values?

I don't truly care, though I would seem to from this post. I just started typing and it all fell out. I just think if we sanitize language too much, we can't call a thing what it is.

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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