Talk:Redneck (stereotype)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 Archives |
Contents |
[edit] Definition of redneck
The first paragraph should say what redneck is, but it doesn´t. It only states that the term is a pejorative stereotype and defines its geographical area of usage, which is fine. But I guess most of us readers (specially those like me, who live neither in the U. S. nor in Canada) would like to know, since the first paragraph, that the term initially refered in a pejorative way to white poor people from the southern United States, and afterwards extended to white rural people from the whole nation and provinces of Canada. That piece of information should be, as a matter of fact, the first one of the whole article. Infrasonik 19:22, 18 August 2007 (UTC)
- That's a fair point... so why not be bold and make the edit? When you do, please cite a source. If you're not sure how to do that, post the information about your source here and we can help. --Clubjuggle 20:52, 18 August 2007 (UTC)
Thank you. To tell you the truth, I´m not quite sure my posted definition of redneck is the right one. It is what I gathered from reading this article and some additional info outside the Wikipedia site. My point is to depict, from the beginning, the ethnic group the term refers to; and, since I'm not sure, I guess I'll leave the being bold part to someone else. At least, for now. Thanks again, anyway. Infrasonik 22:17, 18 August 2007 (UTC)
- From what I've read and heard, the term "redneck" has a somewhat different connotation in England and South Africa than it does in America. This is briefly mention in the article, but perhaps it should be expanded upon? Gringo300 05:34, 10 September 2007 (UTC)
- In response to earlier questions, now I'm not sure if the terms "the American West" and "the American East" would be defined in the same way in a modern context as they would be in the context of the 1800's. The whole issue may be far more complex than I had previously thought. Gringo300 23:40, 26 October 2007 (UTC)
[edit] Family Guy Influence?
Family Guy had an episode recently poking fun at rednecks. mention it somewhere please. --• Storkian • 01:17, 1 November 2007 (UTC)
Dude every show pokes fun at rednecks. Family Guy's not exactly the first, although that show has an unusually negative view of the South... Gtbob12 (talk) 20:30, 12 April 2008 (UTC)
[edit] thanks to whoever cited me on "... blunt definition" (first paragraph part) but
I had more information but I thought it would sound too blunt and negative and would defy the neutrality laws of wikipedia. this is probably a word that is not a complete definition since it is being changed by pop culture. for example, jihad means struggle to perfect one's soul but its commonly misinterpreted as killing infidels for the will of allah. the second one sounds negative and ughhh right? whoever cited me please make my "tone" a little less blunt. --• Storkian • 03:55, 3 November 2007 (UTC)
[edit] Source of the term
My understanding is that the term came from the Battle of Blair Mountain
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Blair_Mountain —Preceding unsigned comment added by 9gates9 (talk • contribs) 16:10, 26 February 2008 (UTC)
[edit] Geography
It's actually hillbillies that were originally limited to Appalachia and the Ozarks. Redneck originally mostly referred to the Deep South, as a laborer down there would be the most likely to get a "red neck". Gtbob12 (talk) 20:29, 12 April 2008 (UTC)
Somebody changed my edit back. I am pretty sure that people in South Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, North Florida and East Texas have been called rednecks pretty much as long as the word has existed. At the very least, the spread of the word to the Deep South is nowhere near as recent as the spread of the word to the rest of the country. I'm changing it again, and anyone who changes it back better have a source. A source, that not only proves that the word originated to describe people in Appalachia, but also that the spread of the word to the South was as recent as the spread of the word to the rest of the country. The term was originally used to describe the Scots-Irish, but the Scots-Irish make up the largest share of white people in most of the Deep South as well as in Appalachia, it's just not as prominent because of the large black population. Common sense would even say that the Deep South would make the most sense, as it is hotter, the sun is stronger, and the work tends to be in the open sun rather than in a mine. Also, many of the people who this article names as important rednecks, for instance Hank Williams, come from the flat, black belt south. Gtbob12 (talk) 13:40, 17 April 2008 (UTC)
[edit] The Hippie Era (Counter-culture movement) and the modern use of the term "Redneck".
To answer inquiries as to why the above titled section is no longer part of the article, I copied here the discussion/talk how that came about. Basically, I just got tired of anonymous user 155.85.58.253 deleting all my work. If anybody else wants to take up the cause, here is the information as well as the deleted papagraph. TheGrandPubah (talk) 22:54, 19 May 2008 (UTC)
After I wrote the following, I did a more thorough read of the Redneck article and references. It is way too complex and falls short in trying to understand the use of the term and it's origins. Many of the historical references do not even mention the word redneck, but refer to poor white class people in various forms. The only credible reference to connect how the word may have come about to be used today is the West Virginia miners strike in 1921 and the use of red handkerchiefs. This does not explain the spread of the term to other poor rural people. There is no connection shown in literature or other references. I am now convinced that the Hippies revived and coined this word as stated above in the 1960's. It has no record of modern usage between 1921 and that time. There are many other words in use today that were originated in the 50's-60's that few people know how they were first used. Redneck is also one of these. —Preceding unsigned comment added by TheGrandPubah (talk • contribs) 06:56, 22 April 2008 (UTC)
This is revised version of discussion for article use: The Hippie Era (Counter-culture movement) and the modern use of the term "Redneck". In the 1960's to early 70's "Hippies" or "freaks" 1 as they were also known helped to popularize the modern use of the word "Redneck" as a slur. Hippies, due to their long hair, outlandish clothing, and association with the peace movement, were the target of extreme hatred by rural white conservatives. Popular music of the time reflects the tension between the two groups. (See lyrics "Up Against the Wall Redneck Mother" (1971) [13] and "Uneasy Rider" by Charlie Daniels (1972)[14]) The word "Redneck" was used by the Hippie as a slur because short hair gave no protection from the sunlight, causing the neck to become red. Also a red neck was seen as a sign of an angry/enraged person in contrast to the peace/love movement. The slur "Redneck" was used in retort to the freak/hippie being called a "dirty long-haired hippie". Any persons, despite geographic location, were referred to as being "Redneck" by the Hippies if they exhibited hatred for them or dislike for long hair. This caused the term to spread to many people groups and geographic areas. The word "Redneck" being used as a slur by Hippies began to change after 1972. This was caused by long hair becoming more accepted in rural communities. The rise of Southern Rock helped popularize long hair among rural youth. Country and western stars of the South (such as Willie Nelson) also began to grow longer hair making it more accepted. (See "The Hippie and the Redneck can be Friends" [15] and the "Mullet" hairstyle [16] ) As the popularity of long hair increased, the use of "redneck" as a slur for people who hated those with long hair decreased. The end of the Hippie era saw the final demise of the word being used in this way and the term Redneck continue to evolve in comedy a and popular culture. TheGrandPubah (talk) 16:27, 23 April 2008 (UTC)
The above Redneck/Hippie section deleted by user 155.85.58.253
User talk:155.85.58.253 Hi, This is GrandPubah, I noticed you deleted what you called the "anecdotal hair section" from Redneck. This is a very important part of history. There is no other reference to the importance of the Hippie culture and the term Redenck in the entire piece. I would not mind any changes or improvements but to just delete such an important part of this subject is just vandalism. If you read my references in the piece you would see this is not "anecdotal" in any way. If it were not for this part of history the term Redneck would not be in use today. TheGrandPubah (talk) 23:29, 15 May 2008 (UTC) [edit]Redneck/Hippie
A passage of this length tends to overpower the article, perhaps it deserves its own article, or perhaps should be part of an article entitled, "Hair, Politics, and Culture in the United States" Thanks, 155.85.58.253 (talk) 08:58, 16 May 2008 (UTC) There is also no mention of redneck on the "Hippie" page. Article should be about what something is, rather than what they are not. I will help you write a "hair, politics, and culture" article if you like. Cheers, 155.85.58.253 (talk) 09:02, 16 May 2008 (UTC)
Redneck/Hippie section again deleted by user 155.85.58.253
To User 155.85.58.253 Thank you for your comments. I must disagree with the removal of the entire paragraph. Without this knowlege (or something similar) it is not possible to understand what the stereotype of redneck was and how it evolved. It is much more than about "hair", but actually liberalism and conservatism. The redneck in the 60's and early 70's was typically ultra conservative. This changed as the counter-culture influences were gradually accepted. For example, the article states that ""Free Bird" and "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd are considered "redneck anthems." This was far from true when "Okie from Muskogee" was the original redneck anthem. Something happened to change redneck society, and the article does not presently address that issue. A stereotypical redneck in 1970 would be very different than the one today. Not only in hair, but in dress, music, habits, politics, etc. I tried to get all of this over in a very short paragraph. It does focus on hair somewhat, but the references bring out the other differences. Hair was very important to the redneck for some reason, enough to cause the redneck to beat up people with long hair. You mention there is no reference to redneck in the hippie article. If hippies went around beating up people with short hair I am sure there would be a reference. In any event, I will not get into an edit war with you. I guess the old hippie in me doesn't want to fight about it. I think if you study my references you will agree that the subject needs to be addressed in some form in the article. I will leave that up to you. Peace TheGrandPubah (talk) 15:34, 16 May 2008 (UTC
Redneck/Hippie section deleted final time by 155.85.58.253
[edit] redneck: an etymology (right or wrong)
I always understood that it was a term used to describe the Blair Mining Company altercation of the 1920s in Kentucky or Tennessee, at which time the miners traditionally wore red neck kerchiefs. Maybe not so, but; it feels right to me. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.163.254.84 (talk) 09:48, 14 May 2008 (UTC)
