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"Rednecks"

by tflood on 11 Feb 2010
We are all familiar with this slang term. Many modern 'necks appear to take great pride in what they are. What is at the heart of being a redneck? Ignorance?

Comments

My two cents' worth. People

by Adrian Barnes on 15 Feb 2010 at about 18:05.

My two cents' worth. People seem to take pride in calling themselves 'rednecks' in the same sense that some black people call each other 'nigger': it's a way of reclaiming a derogatory term that has been used by power elites to exclude and ostracize them.

'Redneck', in my experience, seems to be a category that certain segments of society apply haphazardly to rural people who don't have the same values on big ticket liberal agenda items. When spoken seriously, it's as derogatory and unfair as the other term used above.--ed.

Indeed, derogatory

by tflood on 16 Feb 2010 at about 06:59.
As I had referenced in the dictionary definition of "redneck", it is a "disparaging" term. Sure we can have ugly words, but does that exclude them from what they actually represent? And futhermore, is the substance behind it something to strive for or settle with? I understand your concern, Adrian, but in this case there is a lack of a more appropriate term. I could say "sledneck" but it simply brings to mind the source word.

Redneck Conclusions

by tflood on 15 Feb 2010 at about 08:44.
Interests - Machines, especially dirtbikes, trucks, and snowmobiles. - Drinking - Fighting, violence - Country life Benefits - Enjoy the countryside, although ironically, the redneck lifestyle is one that ultimately destroys it. Drawbacks - Ignorance is bliss. That is, blissfully raging around the countryside on oversized, overpowered machines. - Often dislike other types of people: (dictionary.com) - Many enjoy drinking while driving machines. CONCLUSION: (on a Humerous Note) It is by far a detriment to the world to be a redneck, let alone "Sledneck" (even stupider). If I found myself slighting toward redneckness, I would quickly try to actually grow as a person. Probably my first step is to realize that machines are a false sense of power and that anyone could own the same truck as me. However, it may take me years to figure out what an ego is, so never mind that. Next, I may want to travel to see people's other ways of life and possibly found out that I don't have to hate them because they are different. I may even some friendly gay people on the way and not even know they're gay. Soon, I might consider the environment in small ways. Just some ideas for a happier world...

My razor burn does not make me a redneck!

by tflood on 11 Feb 2010 at about 23:49.
Good heartedness, generosity- to other rednecks? Or, when you are on their terms? Openness- to a discussion about Polaris vs. Ski-doo? I agree on 'get things done'. Hardworking is very likely a common attribute. However, to me, being prejudice against others for being different (there are many examples) is total non-sense to the mature mind, not common sense. red⋅neck    Show Spelled Pronunciation [red-nek] Show IPA Informal: Often Disparaging. –noun 1. an uneducated white farm laborer, esp. from the South. 2. a bigot or reactionary, esp. from the rural working class. –adjective 3. Also, red-necked. narrow, prejudiced, or reactionary: a redneck attitude.

Redneck?

by Sara Golling on 11 Feb 2010 at about 23:16.
Well, I always think of a "redneck" as someone who works outside. I was always happiest working outside (and getting a red neck from the sun .. ) ON the other hand, some of my co-workers in one place were genuine rednecks in the less complimentary sense -- which I admit is highly variable, but can include elements of: bigotry, narrow-mindedness, ignorance, crudeness, male-chauvinist-piggishness and (as Tootsie of the movie would say, "macho s#*t-headedness" ... but also: good-heartedness, generosity, "salt-of-the-earth" common-sense, openness, and an ability to make do with what's at hand and get things done.

Discussing Redneckism

by tflood on 11 Feb 2010 at about 23:35.
The goal here is an attempt at a discussion about redneckism as seen around Rossland in an attempt to determine whether it is generally good, bad, or both.