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Because most people who use a term don't consider its origin? I'd be surprised if this term was any more used by the left than elitists on the right. It's a cultural/class elitist term, not a political one. But what doesn't get blamed on "lefitists" these days, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised.
Honestly, I suspect some people use it hatefully, while others don't. Some probably politicize it, others, not so much. And, as someone pointed out in an earlier post, some use it affectionately.
Been called a redneck, cracker, white boy. None of it bothered me. Consider the source of who is throwing out those names.
Same thing goes for ignorant people using the N word.
I don't really think you can compare any of those terms to the N word. They can be said maliciously, sure, but the history behind them doesn't come close. To the best of my knowledge, no one was ever lynched for being a poor white or a farmer.
I know some people will disagree with this estimation, including black people who use the N word affectionately with each other. I can only speak to my own emotional reaction.
I don't really think you can compare any of those terms to the N word. They can be said maliciously, sure, but the history behind them doesn't come close. To the best of my knowledge, no one was ever lynched for being a poor white or a farmer.
I know some people will disagree with this estimation, including black people who use the N word affectionately with each other. I can only speak to my own emotional reaction.
I try to keep it simple and just avoid these terms altogether. Seems pretty easy to do, so IDK why one ever needs to use terms like that.
The term "red neck" originated in the early 1900s when West Virginia coal miners wore red bandanas on their necks during protests against the owners of the coal mines. There were many protests at that time regarding unsafe working conditions and the miners wanted to join the union. The mine owners pushed back against the workers and the miners stood together and it lasted many years. People were killed. The miners consisted of native born whites, immigrants that spoke little English and African Americans.
"...miners stood up and fought coal operators for their constitutional rights, fair labor practices, and the right to join a union. The roughly 10,000 justice-seeking miners who took up arms and marched to battle in 1921 at the climax of the mine wars wore red bandannas around their necks and came to be known as “the Red Neck Army.” So when you call someone a redneck in West Virginia, you may be giving them a compliment.
Last edited by sware2cod; 08-12-2017 at 01:10 PM..
To me, Redneck means uneducated, unsophisticated, not very smart, driving an old pickup with a couple of dogs in the back,
To most people who use the term, it means anyone that doesn't live in some sardine-can big city somewhere as they do. That term is no different than any other derogatory term used for those of a different class, race, language, or nationality than one's own. Take your pick, there are plenty of those terms floating around to belittle others.
As for "white trash," I think that actually does mean something other than any other insult. White trash are my neighbors who moved in four years ago and turned the neighborhood into a cross between a circus and a ghetto. I see white trash as not having much to do with income and everything to do with victimizing everyone around them thinking they are exercising ytheir "freedom." Basically inconsiderate, hostile, immature white people who tend to want to look like death row convicts or MS-13 members, regardless of income.
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Originally Posted by don1945
and they refuse to accept any views other than their own very narrow opinion of how things are.
Why should they accept your views any more than you accept theirs? A true "redneck" is from a completely different world than yours. I know because I grew up in that world of rural America (after escaping the Bay Area with my family as a wee lad). I really wish with all my heart that I could be a "redneck" again. Those were the most pleasant years of my life. Sun-up drinking some cool water from the well between rides on the hay wagon into the fields. Lot's of work, but I wouldn't trade those memories for anything in this world.
Quote:
Originally Posted by don1945
I see them all the time, generally with a bumper sticker that reads "Lock her up !"
I've never seen that particular bumper sticker. Is it referring to Hillary? If so, I agree. Although, actually, I'd rather just never hear the name again.
Quote:
Originally Posted by don1945
Kinda like the guys who say "Here, hold my beer and watch this !"
Never cared for the taste of beer. And if I were going to drink, it would be something that does its job fast. That's certainly not beer. Don't drink much anyway. But you can hold my Diet Mountain Dew.
Quote:
Originally Posted by don1945
The world sure would be dull without them though.
True, you guys would have one less class of citizen to pick on.
The term "redneck" comes from poor white farmers who had to work over 13 hours a day in the field hunched over exposing their necks to the sun.
Why do leftists believe that being a white working class man who works hard to provide for his family is something that can be used to insult someone?
My wife was born in Miami, which is basically the North minus the cold weather. I'm from and currently live in S. GA. I'm about a non-traditional southerner as you can get (don't own a 4x4 and don't hunt). But, I introduced my wife to driving down dirt roads, riding in the back of a truck, demolition derbies, bogging, ATV parks... all things she negatively identified as "redneck" are actually a hell of a lot of fun.
The true rednecks are just country boys. And I have many friends and acquaintances that proudly identify as rednecks that are well-educated, love their families, love ALL people and just want to live happy lives.
I don't really think you can compare any of those terms to the N word. They can be said maliciously, sure, but the history behind them doesn't come close. To the best of my knowledge, no one was ever lynched for being a poor white or a farmer.
I know some people will disagree with this estimation, including black people who use the N word affectionately with each other. I can only speak to my own emotional reaction.
You reminded me of something that my Aunt said years ago. She would be about 110 now (for frame of reference).
They were good people. Her and my Uncle would do anything for anyone regardless of color. But 30 years ago or so, when I was a teenager, she commented about this black man that they had some connection to, (I don't remember what is was), but she said:
"He was the nicest ni**er man I've ever known... would give his shirt off his back for anyone........"
I remember be conflicted about the type of people they were. Now, I can look back and see their actions were never racist, but this comment was devoid of any awareness that using the N word was offensive, and more so, genuinely hurtful.
You reminded me of something that my Aunt said years ago. She would be about 110 now (for frame of reference).
They were good people. Her and my Uncle would do anything for anyone regardless of color. But 30 years ago or so, when I was a teenager, she commented about this black man that they had some connection to, (I don't remember what is was), but she said:
"He was the nicest ni**er man I've ever known... would give his shirt off his back for anyone........"
I remember be conflicted about the type of people they were. Now, I can look back and see their actions were never racist, but this comment was devoid of any awareness that using the N word was offensive, and more so, genuinely hurtful.
"Redneck" often times refers to someone's education, they being a laborer, poorly educated, and who is often easily misled, usually by the people they vote for (almost exclusively Republicans).
In this context it is used as a pejorative.
That's how I see it. It's an entirely negative term. Apparently, some people enjoy being regarded as fitting the definition of it. They're just fine with living in a cultural stone age.
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