concerend about racism and rednecks

[guestposter24]

Apology accepted.

[pvjd]

Originally Posted by guestposter24

Can we please separate redneck and racism?

If they were synonyms then the NAACP would have been all over Jeff Foxworthy a LONG time ago.

In my experiences growing up in AL, many of the racists I met were rednecks, hicks, etc...perhaps some weren't, and I am sure that in your opinion there are non-racist rednecks. However, my definition of a reneck might be different then yours. I have my views based on personal experience, so I don't believe to be at fault for having them. Jeff Foxworthy does an exaggerated southern character as part of his bit, and makes money off of it. Same with Larry the Cable Guy. If they are really as dumb as they pretend to be, then god help them. However, I really don't consider the characters they play to be rednecks, just country. My idea of a redneck or hick is not somebody who lives in the south, watches NASCAR, chews tobacco, etc. Nor does it have anything to do with living in the country. My idea of a reneck is one who is socially ignorant, believes ecerything in the bible word for word exactly as it is written (including all of the prejudicial jargon written by man based on personal beliefs of the time period), believes that women are beneath men, blacks are beneath whites, gays are beneath non gays, etc., and believe that if you are not like them then you are a sinner and are going to hell. Furthermore, they don't just have these beliefs, but display them for the world to see every chance they get, and don't have the common sense or emotional maturity to comprehend that they might be wrong. You asked me to separate the racists and rednecks, but this is my personal definition of a redneck. If you have a different definition, then by all means, go according to your own thoughts on the matter. I certainly won't mind. I believe in live and let live, but I also advocate against things that I believe are wrong. Racist rednecks is one thing that I take issue with.

[Skyliner]

Originally Posted by pvjd

...believes everything in the bible word for word exactly as it is written (including all of the prejudicial jargon written by man based on personal beliefs of the time period)...

I understood most of what you stated, yet if it isn't considered too great an imposition, would like you to share more detailed reasoning behind your use of the words, "prejudicial jargon" in that sentence.

[guestposter24]

Originally Posted by pvjd

In my experiences growing up in AL, many of the racists I met were rednecks, hicks, etc...perhaps some weren't, and I am sure that in your opinion there are non-racist rednecks. However, my definition of a reneck might be different then yours. I have my views based on personal experience, so I don't believe to be at fault for having them. Jeff Foxworthy does an exaggerated southern character as part of his bit, and makes money off of it. Same with Larry the Cable Guy. If they are really as dumb as they pretend to be, then god help them. However, I really don't consider the characters they play to be rednecks, just country. My idea of a redneck or hick is not somebody who lives in the south, watches NASCAR, chews tobacco, etc. Nor does it have anything to do with living in the country. My idea of a reneck is one who is socially ignorant, believes ecerything in the bible word for word exactly as it is written (including all of the prejudicial jargon written by man based on personal beliefs of the time period), believes that women are beneath men, blacks are beneath whites, gays are beneath non gays, etc., and believe that if you are not like them then you are a sinner and are going to hell. Furthermore, they don't just have these beliefs, but display them for the world to see every chance they get, and don't have the common sense or emotional maturity to comprehend that they might be wrong. You asked me to separate the racists and rednecks, but this is my personal definition of a redneck. If you have a different definition, then by all means, go according to your own thoughts on the matter. I certainly won't mind. I believe in live and let live, but I also advocate against things that I believe are wrong. Racist rednecks is one thing that I take issue with.

Well, our definitions do differ. Most self-proclaimed rednecks are not saying they're racist when they have a bumper sticker or a t-shirt with the word on it, IMO.

If you go by your definition, then they're are quite a few people in this world who fit it that don't do any stereotypically redneck things.

What I don't like is when Southerners are all painted as rednecks. If somebody wants to be a self-proclaimed redneck(by my definition), fine. But if it's just not true then don't call all of us that.

[pvjd]

It's interesting how different meanings are assigned to the same word. It's probably just due to where and how people grow up. Did you know that in the Middle East the "thumb's up" sign actually means *********? It's probably also a sign of the times. I know some black people who don't think twice about using the N word, where others would rather turn over in their graves.

[pvjd]

Originally Posted by Skyliner

I understood most of what you stated, yet if it isn't considered too great an imposition, would like you to share more detailed reasoning behind your use of the words, "prejudicial jargon" in that sentence.

I am referring more to the literal things that people take away from the Bible, such as women submitting themselves to men, not lying with another man, sparing the rod spoiling the child, etc. I used to have a whole list of things from the Bible that are worded in sexist language, but I can't find it at the moments. I know much of it gets lost in translation due to the meanings of words changing throughout time, but some of it has always seemed a bit narrow-minded to me, especially when people take it all literally and not look any deeper than the words that are in front of them.

[Studyin'2Show]

Originally Posted by pvjd

In my experiences growing up in AL, many of the racists I met were rednecks, hicks, etc...perhaps some weren't, and I am sure that in your opinion there are non-racist rednecks. However, my definition of a reneck might be different then yours. I have my views based on personal experience, so I don't believe to be at fault for having them. Jeff Foxworthy does an exaggerated southern character as part of his bit, and makes money off of it. Same with Larry the Cable Guy. If they are really as dumb as they pretend to be, then god help them. However, I really don't consider the characters they play to be rednecks, just country. My idea of a redneck or hick is not somebody who lives in the south, watches NASCAR, chews tobacco, etc. Nor does it have anything to do with living in the country. My idea of a reneck is one who is socially ignorant, believes ecerything in the bible word for word exactly as it is written (including all of the prejudicial jargon written by man based on personal beliefs of the time period), believes that women are beneath men, blacks are beneath whites, gays are beneath non gays, etc., and believe that if you are not like them then you are a sinner and are going to hell. Furthermore, they don't just have these beliefs, but display them for the world to see every chance they get, and don't have the common sense or emotional maturity to comprehend that they might be wrong. You asked me to separate the racists and rednecks, but this is my personal definition of a redneck. If you have a different definition, then by all means, go according to your own thoughts on the matter. I certainly won't mind. I believe in live and let live, but I also advocate against things that I believe are wrong. Racist rednecks is one thing that I take issue with.

Ironically, this is the MOST prejudiced post in the entire thread. What, it's okay for you to pre-judge people but everyone else shouldn't? You have made soooo many racists statements that it amazes me that you have an issue with racism. I guess we should just line up all the NASCAR watching, tobacco chewing, Bible believers and wait for you to tell us what to do with them. Maybe we can make them wear a big 'R' on their foreheads so everyone will have have as easy a time spotting them as you seem to have.

Btw, I know people who fit your criteria; they like NASCAR, chew tobacco, believe the Bible, and even listen to country music.....that are black! Are they rednecks too?

[pvjd]

I think my intent might have been misunderstood. If you are reading into anything I have said that I am racist, or am against NASCAR and what not, then I have apparantly missed the point somewhere. Anyhow, I am not on here to argue or defend myself against anything. I am generally just on here to find out about life in some of these towns in case I decide to relocate. Every now and then I will see a social commentary that I decide to respond to, but it is not intended for the purpose of tooting my horn, or offending people.

[pvjd]

Originally Posted by Studyin'2Show

Ironically, this is the MOST prejudiced post in the entire thread. What, it's okay for you to pre-judge people but everyone else shouldn't? You have made soooo many racists statements that it amazes me that you have an issue with racism. I guess we should just line up all the NASCAR watching, tobacco chewing, Bible believers and wait for you to tell us what to do with them. Maybe we can make them wear a big 'R' on their foreheads so everyone will have have as easy a time spotting them as you seem to have.

Btw, I know people who fit your criteria; they like NASCAR, chew tobacco, believe the Bible, and even listen to country music.....that are black! Are they rednecks too?

I never said that listening to country, watching NASCAR, and chewing tobacco made you a redneck, or racist. My definitio of a redneck is probably quite different than yours. There is no need to be defensive.

[Huckleberry3911948]

well your post is concerned about racism but you use a racial slur when you did you post. so i am not really sure where to go with this one.
your profile is a blank. your op says european decent. hard to follow this one.