Is the term "Redneck" a racial slur... (Earth, beliefs)

[Scuba Pete]

This is not a joke, but refers to one of our oldest threads on ScubaBoard:
The all inclusive "You might be a Redneck Diver" thread

Is this thread truly funny or racially crass? Please do NOT feel like you need to spare my feelings.

[Original Freak]

I think it's humour (although after reading some of them it's more like a bad attempt at humour).

But then again I don't really get upset at jokes, no matter how distasteful.

[Jaymes]

How on earth could it be a racial slur..? Redneck isn't a race. o.o

[fromthe heart]

LOL...I gotta tell you when I think of a redneck I think of the good old boy or gal who takes life simply as it is and isn't bothered too much by the world around them.


As for it being a racial slur...nope...it falls under the same category as dumb blondes to me and believe me I've had a ton of dumb blonde moments...it's ok to laugh together with each other on stupid human trials in life.

[Fluffy]

The term 'redneck' is one that I am fond of but I certainly would never consider it racist since, as Jensa says, it has no racial attachments. It originally came from referring to the kind of people who lived in rural areas in Southern America who were more isolated from societed and so held beliefs that could be described as regressive (such as anti-black for example). Since most of these people worked long days in fields, they had burnt necks, hence the term.

Nowadays it is normally used to refer to anyone with these same, regressive beliefs. However, it only takes on a prejudiced meaning if I were to say something like "All those in Texas are rednecks", a stereotype which is widely held. Beyond this, the term is not "racist", if you meant it in this way.

Edit: After checking up on this defintion, I found that it can also be used as a term for lower class people, often Americans (since that is where it originated) often as an insult. Personally, I still don't think this is racist but more do to with class barriers.

[michel]

I personally am an expert on receiving racial slurs; and I live in a country that persistently makes jokes about itself.


Humour is good - it takes less muscles to smile than to frown, and a good laugh does no harm - unless someone is upset by a joke, I find no problem; the only time there can be is when the joke is about a minority etnic group. There I shut up.

[Seyorni]

Might be a cultural slur, but I can't see any racist angle.

[Feathers in Hair]

Well said, Seyorni.

Those that it refers to, though, are usually profoundly laid back about taking offense to things like that. One of my favorite things to read is the list of "You might be a Redneck Pagan if..." jokes.

[Scuba Pete]

Anyone else???

[Melody]

Find a redneck and ask them if they consider it a slur. I know way too many rednecks and they're the first to laugh at redneck jokes because the see themselves. Ever hear of Jeff Foxworthy -- you might be a redneck if?