Question to my flist?

[amalthia]

Is the term Redneck considered offensive? Because I use that term quite loosely describe a lot of guys in the south, especially in Texas and someone pointed out to me recently that it's considered offensive. So it was kind of a surprise to me because I'd always considered it a descriptor for anyone that likes fishing/hunting, beer, and big trucks. And may or may not be uneducated.

EDIT: the masses have spoken! :)

Based on the responses it's safe to conclude that yes using "Redneck" can be offensive so I should only use it with good friends and family, or if I really want to insult someone. Thanks everyone who responded!

Comments

[cofax7]

I am not on your flist, but I understand it to be at least somewhat derogatory. Or, put it this way: I've never heard it used as a compliment.

It's a classist slur, originating with the concept that the person in question works outside.

That some people are reclaiming the use of "redneck" as a self-descriptor doesn't mean it's appropriate to use it about others. Rather like other slurs I can think of.

[amalthia]

Yeah, I think because we use the word quite often in my family it never occurred to me it was bad.

But I do come from a lower social economic background and in all honestly my dad, and myself to a certain extent, fit the redneck bill almost to a T, except now he's more educated. So when people say redneck I visualize my family. But even amongst the rednecks there are different types.

[elf]

It's an insult that's often been reclaimed by the people it insults. There are plenty of proud rednecks--and plenty of people who think "redneck" means "ignorant, bigoted, rude, loud-mouthed, thick-headed asshole."

As derogatories go, I'd consider it minor; I'm perfectly willing to use it in person where my tone of voice can make it obvious I'm talking about a cultural identity, not an underclass. But I'd be careful using it online, where that's not as easy a distinction to make.

[amalthia]

Very good points. I'll have to keep this in mind if I ever use the term online again. In the discussion post, I had meant it as a cultural identity but the person mistook it for the other one.

[ninasis]

If you're using it as a blanket descriptor for ALL men from Texas, then you're going to have problems. It's more of a slur meaning someone who's ignorant, often a racist, etc. Basically it's the equivalent of calling someone white trash or trailer trash, but has the added connotation of being a southern pride racist as well.

[amalthia]

In the original discussion I was talking about the men my husband ran across working off shore on the oil rigs he had to stay on after Katrina to inspect all the damage for repairing. Redneck was a very apt description because the men were white, uneducated, mostly ex-convicts, racist, and they had porn running 24/7 in the lounge....Redneck was a pretty good term for men who fit most of those descriptors.

[ninasis]

Yeah, that's generally how we use it here in Texas. :)

[auburn]

Err. I think, yes, it is offensive because it is often used in a derogatory sense. Especially in text, where it can be so much harder to pick up on things like body language cues and tone of voice that might mitigate that. I regularly refer to my family as rednecks and hicks, but that doesn't mean I want anyone else to do so.

[amalthia]

Well in my original post I was purposely being insulting because I was describing the men my husband ran across off shore on the oil rigs and why they had no black men or women working on the rigs.

I figured for future reference in my own journal I'll be more careful throwing out the word.

I consider my dad a bit of a redneck (but not in the racist, misogynistic, stupid, ex-convict way) he just likes beer, trucks, guns, and hunting/fishing and we were rather poor growing up and white! Someone on LJ pointed out another term for that is "country," I'd never really heard of that but I think that fits my dad better. I've been using redneck as both an insult and endearment depending on who I'm talking about and who I'm with. But I wouldn't want anyone to call my dad a redneck either if they mean the racist, women-hating, or stupid definition)

[lambourngb]

It all depends on who your audience is, I guess. I agree with the above comments- if I'm using a term like that in public and want to make it ... less harsh, I call 'em "good ole boys"*. Not as offensive as "white trash" or "redneck" but still gives my audience an idea what group of guys I'm talking about**. Or I call 'em NASCAR fans***. :)

* Bunch of Southern white men who share hunting, fishin', big truck love and who cover for one another when it comes to tall tales, lies, and drinkin' stories

** I watched "Generation Kill", so now I want to use the term "Whiskey-Tango" for "white trash", but not sure how many people who get what I was referring to, it's sorta limited usage

*** Speaking as a NASCAR fan, Southerner, and woman raised among a group of "rednecks".

[amalthia]

I'd forgotten about NASCAR! :)