The term "white trash" has classist and maybe even racist implications. Why do we still use it? (Iran, middle east)
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I really, really don't know why it's ok to use a
racial slur against white Americans & no other group.
I used to live in a predominantly Latino neighborhood.
I overheard the Mexican guy downstairs all the time referring to his American wife as "white trash"
And I'd even hear him yell at her about her family being white trash...
It was disgusting, because if you saw the 2 of them together-
He was the lower class.
The Ingals family was indeed "trash". Did you see THEIR house compared to all of their neighbors? I saw many an episode where Charles or the kids would go to a neighbor for some crisis. Every other home was painted, had separate bedrooms, and were fully furnished. The Ingals home was a one-room shack with a curtain separating the parents bedroom from the kitchen and the kids slept in the attic.
Not sure if you are being sarcastic or not, but as others have said and I agree, "trash" is not necessarily synonymous with being poor.
Of course, some people think that wealth is synonymous with class, another fallacy, imo.
Definitely agree. I have never heard the term used to describe anyone who was JUST poor -- and, in fact, I have heard it to describe people who were NOT poor. As the OP pointed out, there are plenty of poor people who have more morals and "class" than many others who are very wealthy. (Can we say "Kardashian"?)
I think the term is used just as a kind of verbal shorthand. If I hear someone described as white trash, then I think, "lazy, continually on welfare, vulgar, promiscuous, poorly groomed, substance addicted [whether that substance is alcohol, illegal drugs, or cigarettes] and possessing a lengthy arrest record". That is quite a mouthful!
Now, I know the above is very judgmental, and I know that not everyone who smokes (for example) is "white trash", but I think that if someone has more than half of the above listed "qualities", she or he qualifies as being white trash, politically incorrect though that may be.
Yes, I know the term "white trash" is derogatory and bad, and I personally don't use it unless I am with someone who thinks the same way I do about potential Jerry Springer guests, Hey, maybe that's an idea! How about saying "light-skinned potential Jerry Springer guest" instead of white trash?
I agree that it has nothing to do with income, and everything to do with values, conduct and actions.
Honestly, I don't see it as politically incorrect. It's a valuable word. If you think it's bad to say, don't say it. Most people I have encountered with "white trash tendencies", are rather proud of it.
Why do we still use the term "white trash" to describe a poor white person?
It isn't used as a term to designate someone who is simply poor. It is used to designate someone who has an irresponsible lifestyle that is generally attributed to those in a lower social class. Being poor on its own does not make one white trash. However being poor because you are drunk every day by noon and suffer chronic unemployment as a result would.
I am white and use the term to describe those who are white lowlifes. If you are white and live in a low-rent part of town, have substance abuse issues, exist on welfare, beat your woman or kids, have absolutely no morals or ethics to govern your behaviour, try to resolve all your problems with your fists, blame everyone else but yourself for your problems and have no ambition whatsoever to change your behaviours to change your life, you are white trash. I also use it as a descriptor for white people of means who regularly engage in lowlife behaviours (such as the affluenza teens family - read their sordid history).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Orlandochuck1
The term "trailer trash" is definitely about being poor.
The term "black trash" is definitely about race and "couch trash" is used as reference to females with substance abuse issues and loose sexual mores, but this thread isn't about discussing any of these terms.
White trash generally lives in trailers, lots of guns, alcohol, drugs, wife beating. Police comes 20 timrd s eek---gun touting.
We were looking at a house to buy near the Troy Country Club and guess what lived next door? The owners of junk cars, piles of pallets, broken down gas grills, etc. AKA, white trash.
I've heard the term applied to more affluent people that still are "low class".
It is like a line I remember from that made for TV movie on Roseanne Barr (paraphrased), "We aren't just trash anymore but trash with money!" and how much people hate that.
I hear the term used by regarding my LL because she is racist, steals, and tries to take advantage of her renters monetarily in shady ways. She has never had to earn a living but has the attitude of someone always looking for a handout.
It's called white trash with cash. Ex: The Kardashians
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