"white trash" - racist?

[TheManWithAUsername]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:White trash is classist. The application of the term "white" to "trash" implies that most white people are not poor. It also implies that most "trash" is not white, hence the need to qualify with the color.

This argument makes no sense. Does the term "white privilege" (or "male privilege" for that matter) imply that most white people are not privileged?

The adjective is used differently there. White privilege refers to the privileges owned by whites, not privilege that is white.

[Anonymous]

TheManWithAUsername wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:White trash is classist. The application of the term "white" to "trash" implies that most white people are not poor. It also implies that most "trash" is not white, hence the need to qualify with the color.

This argument makes no sense. Does the term "white privilege" (or "male privilege" for that matter) imply that most white people are not privileged?

The adjective is used differently there. White privilege refers to the privileges owned by whites, not privilege that is white.

No, it refers to privileges that are associated with being white just as white trash refers to trashy behavior that is associated with being white (separate and distinct from the kind of trashy behavior that might be stereotypically associated with a different race and described with a different term).

It may be an offensive term but it isn't inherently racist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I think it's racist and classist. I also think trailer trash is classist. I understand calling someone trash if they truly are (rapists, abusers, murders, etc.), but why should someone be called trash just because they live in a mobile home and/or are poor.

I think it's disgusting to refer to people that way when they've done nothing to deserve the label of trash.

Well said. But really, I think that no one is trash.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I think it's racist and classist. I also think trailer trash is classist. I understand calling someone trash if they truly are (rapists, abusers, murders, etc.), but why should someone be called trash just because they live in a mobile home and/or are poor.

I think it's disgusting to refer to people that way when they've done nothing to deserve the label of trash.

Well said. But really, I think that no one is trash.

No one IS trash, but some people act in a trashy manner.

[Anonymous]

TheManWithAUsername wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've always taken pride in the fact that White people don't care about being racially derided and made fun of. The same goes for Christianity. I think its great that the world feels free to deride Christianity. It shows strength and confidence. The World knows we are more than strong enough to take insults. Other races and religions need more empathy and helping hands.

Really? I read and hear quite often of Christians complaining about being persecuted and how the whole worlds against them.

In fact PPs statement was exactly such a complaint, thinly veiled. Poor white Christians - everyone's against them!

Why are you adding "white" and making a blanket statement that they're saying, "Everyone's against them." Many Christians (of all races) DO think they're misunderstood and that there are many people (persons such as yourself) who are comfortable being critical of Christians in a way that would not be viewed as acceptable if directed towards other religious groups. I attend a downtown church in a large southern city. Our congregation is comprised of a very diverse demographic group. We worship together, pray for each other, and do a lot of good (time and money) for many people, regardless of their background or circumstances. We also do a lot of volunteer work with other groups of faith. I may be wrong, but I get the feeling you neither understand nor appreciate what I've just shared.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:White trash is classist. The application of the term "white" to "trash" implies that most white people are not poor. It also implies that most "trash" is not white, hence the need to qualify with the color.

This pp nailed it. Yes, identifying "trash" as "white" is an insult to people of color but regardless this is also an insult to the people identified as "white trash" and it's based on class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've always taken pride in the fact that White people don't care about being racially derided and made fun of. The same goes for Christianity. I think its great that the world feels free to deride Christianity. It shows strength and confidence. The World knows we are more than strong enough to take insults. Other races and religions need more empathy and helping hands.

But the reason this is true is that in this country white people and Christians are the dominant groups. If we were a poor minority, we would be a lot more offended. But if someone walking down the street calls me a "white bitch," I don't like it but it's not a threat to me the way it would be if whites weren't the dominant group in this country. Being white helps me get a job and an apartment and good service in a department store so it's a lot easier to let stupid insults about it slide off my back.

Shorter answer - it's all about who's in power at the time.

[TheManWithAUsername]

Anonymous wrote:

TheManWithAUsername wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:White trash is classist. The application of the term "white" to "trash" implies that most white people are not poor. It also implies that most "trash" is not white, hence the need to qualify with the color.

This argument makes no sense. Does the term "white privilege" (or "male privilege" for that matter) imply that most white people are not privileged?

The adjective is used differently there. White privilege refers to the privileges owned by whites, not privilege that is white.

No, it refers to privileges that are associated with being white just as white trash refers to trashy behavior that is associated with being white (separate and distinct from the kind of trashy behavior that might be stereotypically associated with a different race and described with a different term).

It may be an offensive term but it isn't inherently racist.

What do you mean, "no?" You don't dispute that "white privilege" is the collection of privileges possessed by whites? And you don't dispute that "white trash" are trashy people who are white?

All you've done is made the terms less precise by saying "associated with" for both of them.

[TheManWithAUsername]

Anonymous wrote:

TheManWithAUsername wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've always taken pride in the fact that White people don't care about being racially derided and made fun of. The same goes for Christianity. I think its great that the world feels free to deride Christianity. It shows strength and confidence. The World knows we are more than strong enough to take insults. Other races and religions need more empathy and helping hands.

Really? I read and hear quite often of Christians complaining about being persecuted and how the whole worlds against them.

In fact PPs statement was exactly such a complaint, thinly veiled. Poor white Christians - everyone's against them!

Why are you adding "white" and making a blanket statement that they're saying, "Everyone's against them."

Uh...because the PP to whom I was directly referring related the two of them. I didn't add "white;" it's there in the first sentence, handily capitalized for us.

Anonymous wrote:Many Christians (of all races) DO think they're misunderstood and that there are many people (persons such as yourself) who are comfortable being critical of Christians...

Where did I criticize Christians in general? I criticized a particular PP for writing as if Christians are a persecuted minority.

Anonymous wrote:...in a way that would not be viewed as acceptable if directed towards other religious groups.

I'm sure there are people who play favorites in that way. I don't hesitate to criticize other religions, but in any case I wasn't criticizing any religion above.

Anonymous wrote:I attend a downtown church in a large southern city. Our congregation is comprised of a very diverse demographic group. We worship together, pray for each other, and do a lot of good (time and money) for many people, regardless of their background or circumstances. We also do a lot of volunteer work with other groups of faith.

I don't doubt it. Many churches do a lot of good in those ways. I've worked on charitable projects organized by one such church.

Anonymous wrote:I may be wrong, but I get the feeling you neither understand nor appreciate what I've just shared.

You are. It sounds like you've assumed on zero evidence that I consider all Christian churches to be racist, classist, selfish organizations. I think your "feeling" is in fact your own prejudice against non-believers and your own persecution complex.

[Anonymous]

TheManWithAUsername wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

TheManWithAUsername wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've always taken pride in the fact that White people don't care about being racially derided and made fun of. The same goes for Christianity. I think its great that the world feels free to deride Christianity. It shows strength and confidence. The World knows we are more than strong enough to take insults. Other races and religions need more empathy and helping hands.

Really? I read and hear quite often of Christians complaining about being persecuted and how the whole worlds against them.

In fact PPs statement was exactly such a complaint, thinly veiled. Poor white Christians - everyone's against them!

Why are you adding "white" and making a blanket statement that they're saying, "Everyone's against them."

Uh...because the PP to whom I was directly referring related the two of them. I didn't add "white;" it's there in the first sentence, handily capitalized for us.

Anonymous wrote:Many Christians (of all races) DO think they're misunderstood and that there are many people (persons such as yourself) who are comfortable being critical of Christians...

Where did I criticize Christians in general? I criticized a particular PP for writing as if Christians are a persecuted minority.

Anonymous wrote:...in a way that would not be viewed as acceptable if directed towards other religious groups.

I'm sure there are people who play favorites in that way. I don't hesitate to criticize other religions, but in any case I wasn't criticizing any religion above.

Anonymous wrote:I attend a downtown church in a large southern city. Our congregation is comprised of a very diverse demographic group. We worship together, pray for each other, and do a lot of good (time and money) for many people, regardless of their background or circumstances. We also do a lot of volunteer work with other groups of faith.

I don't doubt it. Many churches do a lot of good in those ways. I've worked on charitable projects organized by one such church.

Anonymous wrote:I may be wrong, but I get the feeling you neither understand nor appreciate what I've just shared.

You are. It sounds like you've assumed on zero evidence that I consider all Christian churches to be racist, classist, selfish organizations. I think your "feeling" is in fact your own prejudice against non-believers and your own persecution complex.

You were right to respond with the "Uh!" sentence! I've got egg on my face for not reading carefully what was "handily capitalized for us!" , and I sincerely apologize for that oversight and my comments. I didn't mean that I thought you considered all Christian churches to be racist, classist, etc. I was trying to share my feelings that I think there are many people (certainly quite a few DCUM posters) who make judgmental and critical statements regarding those who identify themselves as southern, white, and/or Christian. Yet they would react strongly (as they should) if the same kinds of statements were made towards other groups, races, cultures, etc. I don't think my recognition of those statements means I have a persecution complex, and I hold no prejudice against non-believers. I respect each person's decision in that area; and I was trying to describe the kind of church I attend because it's a very diverse, caring, and accepting group.

[Anonymous]

TheManWithAUsername wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

TheManWithAUsername wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:White trash is classist. The application of the term "white" to "trash" implies that most white people are not poor. It also implies that most "trash" is not white, hence the need to qualify with the color.

This argument makes no sense. Does the term "white privilege" (or "male privilege" for that matter) imply that most white people are not privileged?

The adjective is used differently there. White privilege refers to the privileges owned by whites, not privilege that is white.

No, it refers to privileges that are associated with being white just as white trash refers to trashy behavior that is associated with being white (separate and distinct from the kind of trashy behavior that might be stereotypically associated with a different race and described with a different term).

It may be an offensive term but it isn't inherently racist.

What do you mean, "no?" You don't dispute that "white privilege" is the collection of privileges possessed by whites? And you don't dispute that "white trash" are trashy people who are white?

All you've done is made the terms less precise by saying "associated with" for both of them.

I mean "no" as in I disagree that the usage is different. You're splitting hairs to try and prove a point that doesn't work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This pp nailed it. Yes, identifying "trash" as "white" is an insult to people of color but regardless this is also an insult to the people identified as "white trash" and it's based on class.

"White trash" isn't necessarily about wealth. I agree that the term is used more frequently as an insult toward those who are also poor but there are trashy people with money just as there are trashy people without. It's about behavior.

[TheManWithAUsername]

Anonymous wrote:You were right to respond with the "Uh!" sentence! I've got egg on my face for not reading carefully what was "handily capitalized for us!" , and I sincerely apologize for that oversight and my comments.

No problem. The admission of a mistake is an internet rarity; I appreciate you being big about it.

Anonymous wrote:I was trying to share my feelings that I think there are many people (certainly quite a few DCUM posters) who make judgmental and critical statements regarding those who identify themselves as southern, white, and/or Christian. Yet they would react strongly (as they should) if the same kinds of statements were made towards other groups, races, cultures, etc. I don't think my recognition of those statements means I have a persecution complex, and I hold no prejudice against non-believers. I respect each person's decision in that area; and I was trying to describe the kind of church I attend because it's a very diverse, caring, and accepting group.

I think there are a lot of people - though still a small minority, nationally - like me who perceive themselves as having been subjected to a philosophical and political war by believers, more specifically fundamentalist Christians.* As a result, I know feel less tolerant of Christianity, which is too bad, as I've known several very good people who were Christians.

*No, I don't think it's particular to Christianity; the Christians just happen to be in power here. I'm sure I'd feel more threatened in any of several Muslim countries or in a Hasidic community.

[Anonymous]

Didn't read through, but yes, it's both classist and racist.

Classist = some (poor) people are trash

Racist = the default (non-modified) group of said people are not white

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:i dont use that term, i'd call them ghetto.
Ghetto has no boundaries in my vocab. Heck mom is ghetto for using undies as rags.

ghetto is also like cheap to me too

Ghetto to me is black and bario is Hispanic. Not many people white people live in a ghetto. Lots of white people live in trailer parks. So white trash to me is the same as trailer park trash. None of these terms are nice but so is calling whites "hinky," the man," etc.

Wasn't ghetto originally referring to the areas that the Germans forced Jews to live in during the Weinmar years? I have always thought ghetto referred to a neighborhood designated for outcast subcultures to live in....? I am not sure how it got to mean "black".

I know the origins of ghetto since my part of my family was there back then. Also being part hispanic I only heard of barrios in my high school spanish classes. I grew up in this area so ghetto is just a word I use for everyone.