define redneck??? (Republic, Fordland: house, live in, car)

[sandman72]

I guess this discussion has gone more in the way of racism/hatred rather than redneck. Do I believe that racism exists everywhere? Sure I do. I had a neighbor that's relative would come over and do some idiotic things in the neighborhood that I asked him if he could simply talk to him and ask him, for safety sake, to comply. I did this in a very polite, non-threatening manner. His response was a "well too bad this is redneck country" and that was that. I have noticed that if you have a difference with somebody and you go to talk to them that they get a "who the heck are you" mentality and a "I can do whatever I want" and all discussion comes to an end. Does anyone else seem to get that?

[Mattie Jo]

I haven't had that problem, but I haven't talked with many people here being that I am rather isolated due to lack of neighbors.

I do understand what you are saying about racism. There is racism everywhere, even in California, only in California it is political incorrect to talk about your feelings about other racists, so it appears that it is not racist. Oklahoma seems rather quiet about it also, although yesterday when in a store the clerk kept referring to the blacks as "coloreds," which is better than the "N" word at least. All I can say about that is that she probably doesn't know that it is "politically incorrect". Does that make her a redneck? No.

[sandman72]

Yeah, people's ignorance sometimes is more upbringing than anything. My mother-in-law still to this day calls Brzillian nuts in the Planter's can N-Toes. I have tried to explain to her that it is not appropriate yet she doesn't seem to see anything wrong with that statement. I guess the only thing you can do to change people's mind about racism is not through hatred but through caring. When September 11th happened it seemed that for 1, maybe 2 days, the United States was actually that, United. Black, White, Asian, Hispanic, etc. were all a band of brothers that day and stood up as one nation, not as individuals. Petty differences such as, i.e. middle class, lower class, racial, location you grew up (which by the way seems to be a real big deal down here especially in Bolivar) were set aside and we were prepared to fight, not against each other but against those that wronged us, the good ol USA. I know it seems that I am on my soapbox but man do I get tired of the same old stuff that seems to just get vomited back up generation after generation. Take the time to get to know someone deeper than their background or skin color and who knows, you may just find yourself a new friend that might have passed you by if you kept your eyes closed.

[tallrick]

Originally Posted by sandman72

I guess this discussion has gone more in the way of racism/hatred rather than redneck. Do I believe that racism exists everywhere? Sure I do. I had a neighbor that's relative would come over and do some idiotic things in the neighborhood that I asked him if he could simply talk to him and ask him, for safety sake, to comply. I did this in a very polite, non-threatening manner. His response was a "well too bad this is redneck country" and that was that. I have noticed that if you have a difference with somebody and you go to talk to them that they get a "who the heck are you" mentality and a "I can do whatever I want" and all discussion comes to an end. Does anyone else seem to get that?

What were these "idiotic things"? Shooting stop signs, hunting from the truck?

[CelticLady1]

Originally Posted by mr_evergreen

My definition of a redneck largely comprises of someone who wears Dixie Outifitter t-shirts(and other shirts bearing the Confederate flag) owns a Confederate flag and very racist. The other aspects such as the pickup truck, trailers, not knowing much about other things outside of the South can apply to anyone but particularly applies to redneck.

My, my, that's a very broad brush you're painting with, there. Let's see, I don't usually wear t-shirts, but if I did, and if I found a Dixie Outfitter t-shirt that I really liked, I would wear it. I happen to own a Confederat Battle flag, and I'm not going to apologize for it. I have lived in a trailer or two, in my lifetime, and I kept them neat and clean. My first vehicle was a truck, and my husband and I have a truck right now, which we find useful, especially if we are going to go hunting or fishing, or to go to Wal-Mart, or if I am getting hay for my horse. I have known black people that I thought the world of, and I have known white people that were trash, down to their very pores, (and they didn't have a flag or truck in sight). My daughter is married to a Puerto Rican, and we love him to death. He is a very good young man, who was raised in a decent home. They have two little boys, whom I couldn't be more proud of, or love more. Racist? You take a great deal of liberty by making such an assumption about people, simply because of a Confederate Battle flag, and a pickup truck.

[RancidBeans]

I'm having a difficult time understanding how the Confederate flag is NOT a symbol of racism. Perhaps my understanding of history is flawed, but from every basic American History class I have taken, the motivation for the secession of the southern states to form the Confederate States of America was entirely due to the threat to restrict or end slavery by the Republicans and concern over restriction on states rights regarding slave ownership. Since the symbol of the Confederate flag was designed from the beginning as the official symbol of the Confederate States of America by the Provisional Confederate Congress, I think it would only be logical to connect this symbol to the racist belief that blacks and whites are not equal, and should not be equal.

As far as I can tell, the Confederate flag is as equally as much a symbol of racial inequality as the swastika is a symbol of anti-semitism... perhaps even more so, because the swastika actually had a far more innocuous origin as a sacred Hindu symbol of well-being.

[Indy4570]

Understanding how another person feels about any object. flag or otherwise is not something you will learn in most history classes.(In my opinion) To understand why a person feels the way they do mean you have to look at life from the other persons shoes. a Confederate flag or the term "redneck" does not mean racist to many people who enjoy both things. It may mean racist to you but You are looking at the world through your own eyes and you cannot possibly see the perspective of a person who has a different set of eyes to look at the world.
Most Civil War soldiers from the south never owned slaves. They did not fight for slavery. They fought for the right to make their own decisions on their own land. That is why it was called "states rights". A person today who flies the Confederate flag may very well be a racist. But I think if you asked them all you would find it is a minority who fly it for that reason. It is not just in the south that the Confederate flag is popular. It stands for defiance and the will to fight for your own rights to many. It represents even other things to other groups. What something represents today is far different than what it was originally. You mention the swastika, to some it has nothing at all to do with anti-semitism. There are some people who hate all races other than their own that use it today, not just Jews.
We may not like something we see today but hey, we live in a country where if you believe in the origins of our nation you have to stand up for the rights of any group no matter how much you despise what they stand for. That is what it means to have freedom and liberty.
Should I think that anyone who drives a Mercedes is a wealthy snob? I don't think that anymore than I think that a person who drives a truck is a redneck racist.
To project your own beliefs about what a symbol means to you on another is not only wrong but it is contrary to the foundations of this nation. I can no more state what a flag means to a stranger who has it in the back window of his car or truck than I can tell you what you think about tapioca pudding! I can tell you that I respect their right to display it if that is what they choose. I want the same right to do want I please. Our freedoms and liberties that we have in this country apply to all the citizens who live here. Ya gotta love it!
I don't agree with your perception of the confederate flag. But I will fight for your right to have that perception if that is what you choose. You don't have to agree with me either! Ain't it grand?
This country may be hated by so many other countries in the world but in shear numbers there is no other country that so many are clamoring and fighting and sneaking to get in! It's the best thing going on the planet for the common man. ( insert poorboy, redneck, whatever you please)

Me? I am damn happy to be an American where I can drive my truck to get groceries if I choose. And If I ever get enough money saved up I can buy a truck like Garth's and I just might use it on days when the low water bridge is little deep for a car because to get to my place you better have a truck or a stout suv or you won't make it up my drive! I like it that way!
good night all, my soap box is saggin....

[BPD147]

Oh lord, this is fun! Let's see, you might be a redneck if you have a car up on block in front of your mobile home. You might be a redneck if you consistantly vote Republican, go to church on Sunday, think turkey and deer seasons should be declared national holidays(the whole season) and have your hunting rifle at ready in your vehicle at all times. You might be a redneck if you own more than two dogs, have more than one gun, have a 4x4 and a bug zapper. You might be a redneck if you consider camo a fashion statement.
You might be a redneck if you believe in God, can still say the Pledge of Allegence with pride, love this country and support those who serve it.
All in all, being a 'redneck' is just another way of saying you're a conservative, rural-born American.

[KAINTUCK]

LF05, Don't tell us you been sniffin Algores exhaust? Ifn it tweren't fer pickemup trucks you probably wouldn't be here! It's all them thar SUVs,"Short Ugly Vans", -what's stinkin up the place! No utilitarian value whatsoever, driven by a many a wanta be blueblood. Not that he's a bubba favorite but to quote a commie, "The only thing more disgustin than the aristocracy is the middle class aspiring to the aristocracy." I suspect Mr. Marx's point was, when you go to lookin down on your neighbor because he has enough sense to know a pickup truck is the vehicle that makes the most sense, maybe it's time you became a red neck too. Out thar drivin yore Short Ugly Vans an little weenie cars around a thankin yore big shots? Yore all under the undo influence of pointie headed college professors that never done nuthin but sew soshlist rebelution and acost yung girls.

[Indy4570]

AW Shucks Kaintuck, Don't let em rile ya none. I rather enjoy seeing a person say things like that. It just shows the rest of the world how limited the vision is of some folks!
Kinda makes me think of 100 hours and a buncha caterwallin goin on lately. just lets us know how limited a groups vision is......I'm shutting up now!