Is calling someone a 'Chink' or '****er' or 'Spick' the same as calling someone a 'Redneck' or 'White Trash'?

Question

This is a serious question...
my friend and i were discussing it the other day...and he said yes, whereas I said no.
This is not a racist question...i don't mean to offend anybody. I love all creeds, ethnicities, races...
what do you think?

Answer 1

I beleive the answer is no. The last two names reffer insultingly to a specific cultrure, and not to an entire race of people. A "Redneck" reffers only to people who are country, with a list of specifics that qualify them. "White Trash" refers to that same group, usually meaning 'dumb and country' not a racial slurr. The first three names are racial slurrs directed to a particular race in its entirety, rich or poor, country or city. The white slurr would be Cracker- (Not to be offensive)

-Good luck!
Alex

Answer 2

It falls along the lines of "I may call my brother names, but nobody else may, because he's MY brother"

When white americans (I'm not the most politically correct person around), give names to other white americans, such as redneck or white trash, it tends to be less offensive...

To leave the race thing alone... If someone of average height calls a dwarf a "midget", its rather offensive... When another person with dwarfism calls a dwarf a "midget" the insult is less of a blow or even somehow twisted into affection because its a bond that they both share...

The N word, to the best of my understanding follows the same relationship. African american people will sometimes use the N word to their African American friends, as a sign or symbol of the bond that they both share. However, if a Chinese, Italian, Eskimo, white American, whomever uses the N word to an African American, its dererogatory.

Turnning the tables.... a "gringo" is a word in spanish to the best of my understanding is a rude word to describe a foreigner, especially one from america. (I hail in the southwest USA, so most of my language and interaction is mexico and the southwest states)... If a person of hispanic or mexican decent calls me a gringo, I find it offensive and dererogatory. If a friend/buddy/pal or even a stranger of US heritage calls me a gringo, its almost funny, in a 'ha ha, you can call me that, but you are one too'
(and yes... for the language buffs... that would make me a gringa, not a gringo... not worth my point to argue it)...

The bottom line... it appears that someone in the same race creed class ethnicity etc can use a derogatory name thats used to describe said race creed class ethnicity, and it tends not to hold the same effect that if someone from a different creed race class or ethnicity used it....

Answer 3

Yes, it is, if you are not a member of the group being referred to.

If you are a 'Redneck', for example, you might joke around with your family, etc, and call each other by that name in fun. But in your heart you don't consider yourself to be just a cartoon stereotype of a human being. You know you are an individual person with feelings and so on.

When others, outside the group, call you by a name which stereotypes you and those you care about, it's normal to react defensively.

Stereotyping people of whatever background by lumping them into a pile called 'Insert racist epithet here' just denies the individual human-ness of each person.

Racism actually hurts your ability to see the humanity in others, it limits you as a person.

Good luck!

Answer 4

I don't think that redneck and white trash necessarily pack the same deragatory punch as the others do. But they aren't exactly meant to be complimentary terms either, now are they? Anytime you're just lumping people into a stereotypical category, it's discrimination.

Answer 5

Calling names-be it anything concerning their colour, race, etc can hurt a person sentiments. It is definitely racist! If you can't take redneck or white trash then chink, niger, spick means the same!

Answer 6

in basic terms the actual shown fact which you're a white guy you may desire to be proud. even tho you reside in a trailer you're nevertheless greater suitable than any mexican who has a mansion that he have been given from making use of drug money.

Answer 7

Yes, technically all of them ARE racist terms. "Redneck" comes from the fact that light-skinned farmers burned in the sun, and even if they did tan, it had a reddish cast to it. They were mostly of Celtic backgrounds. So yes, all of those are technically racist.

Answer 8

Some people are, but some are not offended by them at all... Its more to a personal opinion and how well they are educated. People tend to be emotional when being insulted than to use their brains or common sense to judge.

Answer 9

I agree that the use of the name redneck is more derogatory against a culture not a race of people.

Answer 10

YES! These terms are completely unacceptable. Do you honestly believe anyone wants to be perceived as "white trash"??!! Looks can be deceiving and as such, your ability to judge is limited.