Redneck

[KathyJ]

I come from a long and distinguished line of rednecks. My ancestors settled in East Tennessee in the mid-1700s. I am proof that not all rednecks are racist, ignorant, bile-spewing fools, and I wear the title proudly.

I also claim my hillbilly heritage with pride, and when that word is used in a derogatory fashion, I forcefully explain to them that it's not okay.

What do y'all think?

[surfered]

1. Dolly Parton is a hill billy and also one of the finest human beings to walk the earth.

[BOSSHOG]

2. Nice Post Kathy

I’m from Arkansas. Get stereotyped on occasion. Why did you choose the Astronaut Avatar? I have that picture poster sized in my garage. I am very fond of NASA and its employees. I’m almost your age. Glad you’re back.

[List left]

3. Redneck origin.

The term “redneck” started from coal miners wearing red bandanas while for fighting workers' rights.

[marble falls]

4. The original Red Necks were union miners fighting the Peabody coal interest, Pinkertons, corrupt Sheriffs ...

... the national guard. They wore red neckerchiefs.

[Laffy Kat]

8. Have you even seen the movie "Matewan?

It tells the true story of the bloody battle between Pinkerton's and the coal miners (with help from the IWW). It took place in West Virginia, not Tennessee, but he struggle was the same. It is truly one of my favorite movies.

On edit: I think the militant union buster was Baldwin-Felts, not Pinkertons.

[marble falls]

9. You bet. I'm union all the way. I'm a Wobblie and my Grandfather was a Jock Yablonski UMW miner. ...

... the Peabody's have union blood on their hands. See the Harland County USA documentary when you get a chance.

The Peabody's committed murder in Tenn, WVA, Colorado, Kentucky, Illinois - anywhere they had union mines.

[Laffy Kat]

10. Oh, wow!

I live in Colorado now and every time I'm anywhere in the vicinity of the Ludlow Memorial, I stop for a few minutes. I've taken both of my sons down there and told them the story. We are a union family.

I will definitely check out the Harland County USA documentary. Thanks.

[3Hotdogs]

11. There is a union museum in Matewan. You can support them and IWW by purchasing items

from their online stores.

[Laffy Kat]

12. I had no idea. Thanks!

[stopdiggin]

5. only people I have a problem with - are those that wear ignorance as a badge of honor

If you're a person of honor, and true human feeling - you probably think it's a great idea that your kids go to college (or at least have a pathway open in that direction). You also probably think it's alright that your wife (and female offspring?) think of themselves as something like an equal - in both the household and the workplace - if they perhaps have such shocking notions as a role in life beyond trad-wife.

Other than that ... We're pretty much all good!

[Timeflyer]

6. I think we might be related--Knoxville area?

[Laffy Kat]

7. I'm from Tennessee, originally.

Although the southwestern area. I left a long time ago and haven't looked back.

If you are a proud redneck, you may enjoy the "Wellred Podcast" and "Puttin' on Airs". The podcasts feature Trae Crowder, aka, "The Liberal Redneck; Corey Ryan Forrester, and Drew Morgan. They are usually pretty funny and enlightening. All three are comedians.


:

[rubbersole]

16. Trea Crowder is hilarious.

I like to think of him as a philosopher.

[Buddyzbuddy]

13. All I know is I enjoy Jeff Foxworthy.

Please don't anybody tell me he's a MAGA. I've already written off too many people.

[Bayard]

14. I don't think the terms, redneck or hillbilly, refer explicitly to the South

When I lived in Calif, I had the misfortune to run into some of the worst hillbilly rednecks ever. I've also met plenty in the Midwest.

On the other side, my parents were from South Carolina, but moved to Kentucky for my Dad to go to electronics school when he got out of the service. I would have never dreamed of saying he was a redneck. He was unfailingly polite to everyone, and even though he was raised on a farm, had an almost gentil way about him. I never saw him in anything but dress pants and long sleeve shirt, even working in the garden.

[murielm99]

15. From time to time,

we get posts here that feature the work of Trae Crowder, the liberal redneck. He is a hoot!