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It's usually not the word itself that's so offensive, but the intent behind the word. I live in the Ozarks. I don't mind being called a hillbilly because I live there.
If that is the case, can I assume that you understand the difference between some young hip-hop kid calling his pals the n word while finding the usage by some middle class white contributor to a forum as being highly offensive?
By the way, do you disagree that if some visiting non-hillbilly were to seek out an upscale beverage at the local Ozark gin joint and started pontificating on the reasons for poverty in the region being one of reliance of government largesse that the locals would view this a just inoffensive barroom banter?
Exactly, any word that is intended to put you in your place, to lessen you as a human being, to diminish your thoughts, words, feelings, or actions, is an insult. I've heard the word "hairdresser" used that way. People on the receiving end of such insults know that it's not the word, it's the implication that you are somehow less than the name-caller that is the insult.
You can add politician, lawyer, Muslim, cop, atheist and a large number of other words (names) to the list that "could" be used as an insult. Where does it stop?
If that is the case, can I assume that you understand the difference between some young hip-hop kid calling his pals the n word while finding the usage by some middle class white contributor to a forum as being highly offensive?
By the way, do you disagree that if some visiting non-hillbilly were to seek out an upscale beverage at the local Ozark gin joint and started pontificating on the reasons for poverty in the region being one of reliance of government largesse that the locals would view this a just inoffensive barroom banter?
Why, yes, I do understand that when my brother calls me a hillbilly at the July 4 picnic when I suggest we all go crawdadding, that it's an entirely different thing than when someone on this forum calls me a hillbilly because I suggest that part of the reason why Oklahoma voted so pro-Republican was because the Democrats didn't campaign there. I do understand the difference when I try to provide a reason why someone might fly the Confederate flag that has nothing to do with racism, and people on this forum scream I must be a racist.
And there aren't any gin joints in my part of Arkansas, but if some pontificating ass came into Ozark Brewing Co, and started talking about hillbillies on welfare, I might point out to him that Arkansas has some of the lowest welfare statistics in the country, and that at 6.1% unemployment, we're pretty much all working as well. Since it's doubtful his intent had anything to do with harmless barroom banter.
Why, yes, I do understand that when my brother calls me a hillbilly at the July 4 picnic when I suggest we all go crawdadding, that it's an entirely different thing than when someone on this forum calls me a hillbilly because I suggest that part of the reason why Oklahoma voted so pro-Republican was because the Democrats didn't campaign there. I do understand the difference when I try to provide a reason why someone might fly the Confederate flag that has nothing to do with racism, and people on this forum scream I must be a racist.
And there aren't any gin joints in my part of Arkansas, but if some pontificating ass came into Ozark Brewing Co, and started talking about hillbillies on welfare, I might point out to him that Arkansas has some of the lowest welfare statistics in the country, and that at 6.1% unemployment, we're pretty much all working as well. Since it's doubtful his intent had anything to do with harmless barroom banter.
Then you have people that don't have to speak a word, just their facial expressions and body movements say what they're thinking. Their views are in their minds...regardless whether they use such words or not.
This brings in the case of "Indian groups" being offended at school nicknames. In the city of Virginia TEch, Blacksburg Virginia, there was a high school called the Blacksburg Indians. About eight years ago, ONE person living in Blacksburg who founded an "organization" that objected to Indian monikers, made a big stink about the nickname. Well, Blacksburg, being a typical liberal university town, sucked up and made the switch to the bland "Blacksburg Bruins". Blech. The alums hated it. Many of the students hated it, but the PC crap prevailed.
If you remember also, the Stanford University 'Cardinal" used to be the Stanford Indians. Same PC crap prevailed there, as well. Not surprisingly, Stanford is in the hub of extreme liberalism. (In 2003 the Stanford band dressed up for football games as French soldiers to protest the war in Iraq)
The realty is, most Indians (Sorry, I refuse to go in for the "Native American' nonsense) either don't care about or approve of sports nicknames. Washington Redskins, Illinois Illini, Utah Utes, Florida State Seminoles. Many of these groups are proud their tribes are represented. Most Indians who follow the Washington Redskins would strongly object if the nickname were changed, I'm sure. Who the hell would want to sing "Hail to the Bruins"?
BTW, I'm half Irish, ask me how much I care that Notre Dame calls itself the Irish? And you professional victims out there can't say "Oh, well. The Irish weren't oppressed like blacks or Native Americans". BS. Look at how Irish immigrants were treated in the tolerant city of Boston in the 1800s. Ask the Irish men who got the hell beat out of them in the steel mills of Pittsburgh during the 1890's. The Irish and Hungarians. Lowest end of the food chain back then.
BTW, I'm half Irish, ask me how much I care that Notre Dame calls itself the Irish? And you professional victims out there can't say "Oh, well. The Irish weren't oppressed like blacks or Native Americans". BS. Look at how Irish immigrants were treated in the tolerant city of Boston in the 1800s. Ask the Irish men who got the hell beat out of them in the steel mills of Pittsburgh during the 1890's. The Irish and Hungarians. Lowest end of the food chain back then.
Good point. My local high school team's nickanme is The Saxons. Kind of makes me want to paint myself blue and split someone open with a battle-axe.
Good point. My local high school team's nickanme is The Saxons. Kind of makes me want to paint myself blue and split someone open with a battle-axe.
And I don't care who knows it.
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