I'm not a man, but will admit that the definitions are likely different in different areas. In my area, any person from a rather rural, backwoodsish sort of background (owns hunting dogs and old pick up truck, has torn up old jeans and flannels in their wardrobe, has eaten squirrel chili, lives by the motto "don't start none, won't be none") is a hillbilly -- essentially, good folks.
Rednecks are the ones I described...but the term "white trash" is also used. I suppose we could tweak the nuance a bit and call rednecks the people who aren't rural (no squirrel chili eating, maybe no pack of hounds loitering about the place; truck far too fancy to be used for stump pulling) but nevertheless don't fall into the category of dregs of society.
How about that? However, sounds like you and I both know about white trash culture, and how bad it is...they're a scourge around my neck of the woods, just awful.
I agree with almost all of what you said. Rednecks from my part of the woods are those who may or may not be rural, but do like trucks, guns, Jesus, mamas and grandmama’s, hunting, fishing, babies, southern cooking, four wheelers, mud-riding and other crazy stuff, fish fries and crawfish boils, old blue jeans, work boots, working with their hands, (though I know many in desk jobs) the latest and greatest in hunting supplies, the American Flag, (and used to-) likes Nascar. Basically, just a country way of life, by choice. I know poor rednecks and rich rednecks. Rural and city. The overwhelming things they have in common is self-sufficiency, and helping out others if needed. Huge sense of humor, lots of loud laughter. There are uppidity rednecks, tho- don’t like them at all. They are no different than uppidity city slickers. They are the ones in $300 dollar outfits, and the women look out of a magazine with all the latest and greatest surgery and Botox, usually followed by a bunch of sycophants who worship everything they do.
White trash is a scourge, and can be scary. I remember driving to my cousin’s in MS, and passed literal tar shacks (with tinsheet walls ) with 5 grown young men sitting and standing outside during the workday. I locked my doors faster than being in a ghetto- I actually got the heebey-jeebies. Being poor doesn’t make you bad, but not even trying..... yea, I’ll pass at anyone who does that.
I know a lot of people associate rednecks with bad things. One of my closest friends is black, & they had sheer look of horror when I described myself as a redneck to them. After seeing that look, I went on a mission to change their mind about the word.
Rednecks, as I know them, are the last people black people need to be afraid of. Poor white trash? Hell ya- black (or any non-white) people need to be wary, as they’re so far removed from society it’s no telling what they think or will do. Not all poor white people- but there’s a certain subset that is definitely scary.
Well, I'll agree to your definition of redneck and add on to my definition of hillbilly: hillbillies are the ones that have come up from rural and poor backgrounds and never turned their backs on where they came from. Where I live, most are white but we do have some black and even Latino hillbillies. For the most part they're pretty good folks who just want to be left alone to do their thing, which usually involves living out in the country or finding a way to get back out there. They're the ones who truly love fishing and hunting and the like. Rednecks are, like you said, the ones who want that lifestyle you described -- I have always given them a bit of the side-eye because they aren't from the countryside or haven't been for a long time...and most of them around here will not help a brother or sister out (something the hillbillies always do). To be honest, "redneck" around here is synonymous with bigoted, try-hard jackass, all smiles and Jesus while they stab you in the back. That's the definition of them around here. Maybe the definition your black friend thought of too. Words can mean different things to different people -- hillbilly probably means something different for you.
And yes, what you described as white trash is exactly what we've got around here -- they may not live in tar shacks (some of the poorer hillbillies have those), but they're some of the nastiest pos I've ever encountered. You were right to lock your doors...they're vile, the same as the worst in bad parts of the cities. White folks need to be as scared of them as non-white -- they're snakes, and no, you never know which way they'll go if you're unlucky enough to be around them (one of the reasons most of us around here would like to be able to defend our property).
Edit: sometimes they're not all that poor either -- most are great at playing the system; real masters at it...they just don't have shit to their names/can't pay their bills, won't feed/clothe their kids because they toss their money at drugs, booze, a half dozen jalopies with expensive rims, getting their nails and hair done, and parties.
Second edit: I'll add this because I don't want to come off offensive: you mentioned southern things w/ regards to rednecks (as defined around here to separate them out from the hillbillies, dirt farmers, and other associated townsfolk) -- that's part of the problem around here; I've seen some of the good ol' boys from the country club (there's a tell) doing the "I just love havin' good biscuits and sweet tea...blah, blah, blah" -- the jackass works as an operations manager for one of the big agri businesses in the area (who treat their workers like shit) and was born/raised in Wisconsin! He shouldn't try and fool people, and it doesn't work on quite a few (and other than him having money, he and his wife have the same morals as the white trash...none, maybe negative)
No offense taken, at all. It seems like my definition of hillbilly and your definition of redneck has successfully been defined by what media tells us. I have always pictured hillbillies as toothless, shoeless, and with a wicked side. I should have known better, but I will say that over the last few years I had begun to question if that was really real, and wondered if they weren’t just country folks, like what I know to be rednecks. (Even if they (rednecks did move out of the country- they usually try to find their way back to the country, like you mentioned.)
I’ve known river rats whose professional lives seems to be stealing. Their motto seems to be “if you’re dumb enough to let it get stolen, you don’t deserve it”. Yet they will plan to steal your boat/4wheeler/ranger with precise planning and multiple people involved, meaning not much you can do to prevent the theft except guard it yourself 24/7. Physically- they’re not violent, except the few fistfights, but they are thieves. I would say they fall in with poor white trash, but there not really poor. Just trash.
I do know black rednecks, and country black people around my way is perfectly normal. Large gardens, horses, 4-wheelers, hunting, and country music. They don’t play well with the nonsense of other people acting immoral 24/7, or even a moment of time. I don’t think they believe it reflects on them as a group, as it shouldnt, but they are quick to prevent their kids from bringing any of the modern-day victim narrative into their homes and lives. (Sadly- they are targeted as much as anyone else by their own people wanting to chase the narrative that black people don’t have agency.)
I was telling that friend of mine about a new restaurant I had been to. They asked me if there were any black people there. I had to think really hard, bc it just wasn’t something I noticed. She and I go out to eat all the time, and she told me she would never take me anywhere where I was the only white person, for safety reasons. Her implication was that I should never take her anywhere where she is the only black person. And I was a little taken aback by that. First of all, she just told me more about what black people think about white people than she thinks she did, and secondly, does she really believe that? I didn’t want to discount her feelings, so I just said okay. But that was another redpill moment when you realize just what media does to black (all) people. Even in the rural south, there is nowhere a black person can go and feel like they will ganged up on physically. I’ve lived here all my life. I know how white people think. I know people others would consider racist. I know people I consider racist (by today’s very broad definition), as in they openly attempt to keep a distance even when safety is not a factor- it’s just their preference. But would any of them ever hurt, cause a scene or harm, or embarrassment to a black person? No. Would they even get up and leave an establishment if one walked in? No? Would they give dirty looks? No. Would they stop patronizing the place? No. The only racism from whites to blacks that’s left these days is in passing. It’s an inner thought that says “these are not my people”, and don’t tell me who I can and cannot associate with. (Again/ a very broad definition)
And that’s way better than the (many times) angry, vile, & sometimes physical racism white and Asian people receive from black people. That truth may hurt- but it’s still the truth. Mexicans don’t seem to suffer it as much, bc they don’t take it, but they have that luxury being a minority of their own (in this country).
But, I mean, if it’s a toothless white trash person operating a food joint out of a tar shack- then yea, maybe I’d tell her not to go there😬
I'm not a man, but will admit that the definitions are likely different in different areas. In my area, any person from a rather rural, backwoodsish sort of background (owns hunting dogs and old pick up truck, has torn up old jeans and flannels in their wardrobe, has eaten squirrel chili, lives by the motto "don't start none, won't be none") is a hillbilly -- essentially, good folks.
Rednecks are the ones I described...but the term "white trash" is also used. I suppose we could tweak the nuance a bit and call rednecks the people who aren't rural (no squirrel chili eating, maybe no pack of hounds loitering about the place; truck far too fancy to be used for stump pulling) but nevertheless don't fall into the category of dregs of society.
How about that? However, sounds like you and I both know about white trash culture, and how bad it is...they're a scourge around my neck of the woods, just awful.
I’m not a man, either :)
I agree with almost all of what you said. Rednecks from my part of the woods are those who may or may not be rural, but do like trucks, guns, Jesus, mamas and grandmama’s, hunting, fishing, babies, southern cooking, four wheelers, mud-riding and other crazy stuff, fish fries and crawfish boils, old blue jeans, work boots, working with their hands, (though I know many in desk jobs) the latest and greatest in hunting supplies, the American Flag, (and used to-) likes Nascar. Basically, just a country way of life, by choice. I know poor rednecks and rich rednecks. Rural and city. The overwhelming things they have in common is self-sufficiency, and helping out others if needed. Huge sense of humor, lots of loud laughter. There are uppidity rednecks, tho- don’t like them at all. They are no different than uppidity city slickers. They are the ones in $300 dollar outfits, and the women look out of a magazine with all the latest and greatest surgery and Botox, usually followed by a bunch of sycophants who worship everything they do.
White trash is a scourge, and can be scary. I remember driving to my cousin’s in MS, and passed literal tar shacks (with tinsheet walls ) with 5 grown young men sitting and standing outside during the workday. I locked my doors faster than being in a ghetto- I actually got the heebey-jeebies. Being poor doesn’t make you bad, but not even trying..... yea, I’ll pass at anyone who does that.
I know a lot of people associate rednecks with bad things. One of my closest friends is black, & they had sheer look of horror when I described myself as a redneck to them. After seeing that look, I went on a mission to change their mind about the word.
Rednecks, as I know them, are the last people black people need to be afraid of. Poor white trash? Hell ya- black (or any non-white) people need to be wary, as they’re so far removed from society it’s no telling what they think or will do. Not all poor white people- but there’s a certain subset that is definitely scary.
Edit: added tidbit of info first line
Well, I'll agree to your definition of redneck and add on to my definition of hillbilly: hillbillies are the ones that have come up from rural and poor backgrounds and never turned their backs on where they came from. Where I live, most are white but we do have some black and even Latino hillbillies. For the most part they're pretty good folks who just want to be left alone to do their thing, which usually involves living out in the country or finding a way to get back out there. They're the ones who truly love fishing and hunting and the like. Rednecks are, like you said, the ones who want that lifestyle you described -- I have always given them a bit of the side-eye because they aren't from the countryside or haven't been for a long time...and most of them around here will not help a brother or sister out (something the hillbillies always do). To be honest, "redneck" around here is synonymous with bigoted, try-hard jackass, all smiles and Jesus while they stab you in the back. That's the definition of them around here. Maybe the definition your black friend thought of too. Words can mean different things to different people -- hillbilly probably means something different for you.
And yes, what you described as white trash is exactly what we've got around here -- they may not live in tar shacks (some of the poorer hillbillies have those), but they're some of the nastiest pos I've ever encountered. You were right to lock your doors...they're vile, the same as the worst in bad parts of the cities. White folks need to be as scared of them as non-white -- they're snakes, and no, you never know which way they'll go if you're unlucky enough to be around them (one of the reasons most of us around here would like to be able to defend our property).
Edit: sometimes they're not all that poor either -- most are great at playing the system; real masters at it...they just don't have shit to their names/can't pay their bills, won't feed/clothe their kids because they toss their money at drugs, booze, a half dozen jalopies with expensive rims, getting their nails and hair done, and parties.
Second edit: I'll add this because I don't want to come off offensive: you mentioned southern things w/ regards to rednecks (as defined around here to separate them out from the hillbillies, dirt farmers, and other associated townsfolk) -- that's part of the problem around here; I've seen some of the good ol' boys from the country club (there's a tell) doing the "I just love havin' good biscuits and sweet tea...blah, blah, blah" -- the jackass works as an operations manager for one of the big agri businesses in the area (who treat their workers like shit) and was born/raised in Wisconsin! He shouldn't try and fool people, and it doesn't work on quite a few (and other than him having money, he and his wife have the same morals as the white trash...none, maybe negative)
No offense taken, at all. It seems like my definition of hillbilly and your definition of redneck has successfully been defined by what media tells us. I have always pictured hillbillies as toothless, shoeless, and with a wicked side. I should have known better, but I will say that over the last few years I had begun to question if that was really real, and wondered if they weren’t just country folks, like what I know to be rednecks. (Even if they (rednecks did move out of the country- they usually try to find their way back to the country, like you mentioned.)
I’ve known river rats whose professional lives seems to be stealing. Their motto seems to be “if you’re dumb enough to let it get stolen, you don’t deserve it”. Yet they will plan to steal your boat/4wheeler/ranger with precise planning and multiple people involved, meaning not much you can do to prevent the theft except guard it yourself 24/7. Physically- they’re not violent, except the few fistfights, but they are thieves. I would say they fall in with poor white trash, but there not really poor. Just trash.
I do know black rednecks, and country black people around my way is perfectly normal. Large gardens, horses, 4-wheelers, hunting, and country music. They don’t play well with the nonsense of other people acting immoral 24/7, or even a moment of time. I don’t think they believe it reflects on them as a group, as it shouldnt, but they are quick to prevent their kids from bringing any of the modern-day victim narrative into their homes and lives. (Sadly- they are targeted as much as anyone else by their own people wanting to chase the narrative that black people don’t have agency.)
I was telling that friend of mine about a new restaurant I had been to. They asked me if there were any black people there. I had to think really hard, bc it just wasn’t something I noticed. She and I go out to eat all the time, and she told me she would never take me anywhere where I was the only white person, for safety reasons. Her implication was that I should never take her anywhere where she is the only black person. And I was a little taken aback by that. First of all, she just told me more about what black people think about white people than she thinks she did, and secondly, does she really believe that? I didn’t want to discount her feelings, so I just said okay. But that was another redpill moment when you realize just what media does to black (all) people. Even in the rural south, there is nowhere a black person can go and feel like they will ganged up on physically. I’ve lived here all my life. I know how white people think. I know people others would consider racist. I know people I consider racist (by today’s very broad definition), as in they openly attempt to keep a distance even when safety is not a factor- it’s just their preference. But would any of them ever hurt, cause a scene or harm, or embarrassment to a black person? No. Would they even get up and leave an establishment if one walked in? No? Would they give dirty looks? No. Would they stop patronizing the place? No. The only racism from whites to blacks that’s left these days is in passing. It’s an inner thought that says “these are not my people”, and don’t tell me who I can and cannot associate with. (Again/ a very broad definition)
And that’s way better than the (many times) angry, vile, & sometimes physical racism white and Asian people receive from black people. That truth may hurt- but it’s still the truth. Mexicans don’t seem to suffer it as much, bc they don’t take it, but they have that luxury being a minority of their own (in this country).
But, I mean, if it’s a toothless white trash person operating a food joint out of a tar shack- then yea, maybe I’d tell her not to go there😬