Is the term "Redneck" a racial slur...

[Shadow Wolf]

According to Jeff Foxworthy, being a redneck is a complete absence of sophistication.

[CaptainXeroid]

I think a lot of people do use redneck as a racial slur when they stereotype Southerners.

Originally Posted by Luke Wolf

According to Jeff Foxworthy, being a redneck is a complete absence of sophistication.

I was about to post this. I think his exact words are a 'glorious lack of sophistication', but I'd have to go back & watch Blue Collar Comedy Tour to be sure.

Many years ago, my English professor told stories about rednecks from backwoods Connecticut and the jaws of 25 Georgia Tech sophomores hit the desks. He started laughing, told us to pick up our teeth and that the South by no means had a monopoly on rednecks.He said rednecks were everywhere, and they just had different accents.

[Mr Spinkles]

Hmm, good points, NetDoc. It's a tough issue.

I think the term 'redneck' can be compared to the N-word though....some people, like Chris Rock, for example, say that the N-word refers only to a certain class of black people, whom they revile and make fun of. Some blacks refer to themselves and other blacks by the N-word, and even identify by it and regard it as something of which to be proud. The only difference I see between the two words, when it comes down to it, is that fewer people seem to be offended by 'redneck' than by the N-word. Perhaps that is because there is a much nastier history of repression and racism associated with the N-word?

[Shadow Wolf]

Foxworthy also said thier are rednecks everywhere. I think its intended for fun, but many turned it into a southerner stereotype.

[Sava]

It's more of a cultural slur, which leftists usually chalk up to 'racism,' so the semantics don't really matter in the long run.