Racial slurs and derogatory terms

[María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda]

I feel like comparing the word redneck to other racial slurs isn't quite the same, at least in today's society. I know many people who proudly identify as a redneck and do not see anything wrong with the term. I think what he was complaining about is definitely a more wide-spread feeling and understanding that it's not okay to use those derogatory terms, while terms like redneck aren't really seen in the same light, even by the very people being called it. Perhaps it is different in other places, but that's my experience from my own surroundings.

As I mentioned in another post, I agree that we have to consider the degree of severity of the derogatory term. Of course I would never diminish the immense suffering that the N-word implies. Indeed, some people have reclaimed the term "redneck" and use it with a positive connotation but this happened in more recent years. There lies the quid of my question because during the Vietnam War it was still a derogatory term.

[Nwankwo GC]

Yeah, I'll attribute that to the political climate at the time. Nobody cared so much about being politically correct and there was no way it wouldn't influence everybody to an extent.

[Patty Allread]

As I mentioned in another post, I agree that we have to consider the degree of severity of the derogatory term. Of course I would never diminish the immense suffering that the N-word implies. Indeed, some people have reclaimed the term "redneck" and use it with a positive connotation but this happened in more recent years. There lies the quid of my question because during the Vietnam War it was still a derogatory term.

I was a young adult during the Vietnam era, and I agree that back then the term "redneck" was mainly derogatory. Later, the comedian, Jeff Foxworthy, started using the term as his shtick and many found it funny. I always wondered if some people were more offended than amused by that.

In My Enemy in Vietnam, Springer presents a very personal and I think, honest, viewpoint of his experiences. He may have used the term "redneck" not only because that was what was said at the time, but possibly because he, too, was not perfect and had some prejudiced thoughts of his own that slipped through.

Thanks for the valuable, if difficult to conclude, discussion!

[nwanasebuka]

I believe the term "redneck" was coined because of the social milieu at the time. This is attributed to the fact that racial prejudice was widespread at the time. Even if the phrase isn't directly offensive, words have connotations, especially when they come from a certain group of individuals. It would have been preferable if he had avoided using such phrases after complaining about them.

[Mbenma Esther 080]

Racial slur is what is heard daily. There is nothing new in it but most times it is demeaning.

[Leslie Kunde]

The term redneck does not carry the history of other slurs. This term usually refers to a type of person and/or their lifestyle. Anyone regardless of their skin color can be a redneck. So, no I do not think it is derogatory in the same since as a racial slur.

[Sharill Rasowo]

I think the history of the word "redneck" and the N-word is very different. Redneck was more in reference to a social class while the N-word was more explicitly a racial slur. Therefore I did not find its use incongruent.

[María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda]

The term redneck does not carry the history of other slurs. This term usually refers to a type of person and/or their lifestyle. Anyone regardless of their skin color can be a redneck. So, no I do not think it is derogatory in the same since as a racial slur.

Yes, I understand, and in no way do I intend to diminish the immense suffering that the N-word carries with it. But even if it's not intended nowadays as a race-specific term (it was coined as a derogatory term specifically for white southerners) it is a derogatory term, nonetheless. The degree of harm and violence implied is not the same, but in my way of seeing things, congruence implies not doing to others what you wouldn't want to be done to yourself. Unless, that is, that the social climate at the time compelled the author to view this as a regular way of speaking.

[Peace Chux]

I do think it is incongruent. His initial dislike and complain over the N word shows attentiveness to verbal racism. It may be however, that the word redneck was simply what it meant at that time and not a racial slur. Otherwise the disparity makes no sense.

[Black Jewel]

I think it is incongruent. If you have problems with being called something you consider a racial slur or hearing others being called by what you consider racial slurs, you should not turn around and use what many use as a derogatory term for white folks who are more countrified than gentrified.

[Blessing Odii]

Depending on the environment and cultural differences, the term may mean different things to different people. In some cultures, redneck may mean or be derogatory.

[María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda]

I think it is incongruent. If you have problems with being called something you consider a racial slur or hearing others being called by what you consider racial slurs, you should not turn around and use what many use as a derogatory term for white folks who are more countrified than gentrified.

I would expect that, especially because even if the book is set in the 1950s it was not written in that time but later on, when we have much more conscience about the influence that language can have.

[Stizzy Monday]

I totally believe it's because of the social climate at the time... It may not have been a big deal then to use such words. I believe the updated versions of the book would review all that to match the current reality

[chinonye-nonye]

The author complains, and rightfully so, about the use of racial slurs ("Some were even taunted by hearing the N word openly..." )
However, he uses the derogatory term "redneck," (i.e. "They thought nothing of beating down any redneck who disrespected them.")
Do you think this is incongruent? Or could it be attributed to the social climate of the time, in which political correctness was not a priority?

This is a beautiful point. It seems the author contradicted himself. I feel it’s the effects of the war. I feel the author used those words without considering it from this point of view. It’s a great observation

[Munaluna]

I think the author used the word 'redneck' as a form of counter attack for the incidents of racism he experienced.