It’s not uncommon in Havasu to hear the word redneck. For the most part, it’s not about a personality trait, but more along the lines of sunburned skin. I spot rednecks all the time, including red backs, legs, and arms.
Several years ago, a family member called me a redneck, and it had nothing to do with dermatology. The remark wasn’t said to my face or I would’ve laughed at them. It was mentioned behind my back instead. I still chuckle thinking about this.
I only got wind of it after this person was sadly gone. I don’t know if it was said in a demeaning manner, or if the remark was for praise. I suppose there are good and there are bad rednecks. Hopefully, they were identifying me as a good one.
Not sure of what redneck exactly means, with images of Uncle Duke on “The Dukes of Hazzard” television series coming to mind, I initiated a bit of research on the subject. For those readers too young to remember, in “Dukes of Hazzard,” Denver Pyle played the part of Uncle Jesse, an amicable father figure seemingly liked by all, other than perhaps Boss Hogg, the cantankerous sheriff.
In true redneck fashion, Uncle Jesse and the Duke family made moonshine on the side, with the boys eventually busted for hauling it. That to me is the ultimate stereotype for being labeled a redneck, yet is now considered archaic. I doubt many folks are making white-lightning these days in copper stills.
Looking up the word, online dictionaries offered two entirely different definitions: The first one is quite tame. “A working-class white person, especially a politically reactionary from a rural area.”
Example number two is perhaps a bit more offensive. “One living in the countryside in the southern US, who is believed to have prejudiced ideas and beliefs.”
I’m not sure which definition my relative went by. Deciding to bisect each one, word by word, I found several things to be true of me, while others weren’t. Working class definitely fits my persona and I’m proud of it. For the most part, my generation consists of workers, unlike what seems to be a new generation of folks born with the palms of their hands turned up.
Not all of them are this way but a good number fit the mold. I see these younger folks each evening on the 6:00 news, advocating for free this and free that; free college tuition, free housing, and free iPhones appear to be the latest. My generation generally believes that nothing is free—someone has to pay for it.
Going back to that list defining what a redneck is. White person. I take offense to this one because I look nothing like the Pillsbury Dough Boy, other than the chubby little guy wears a hat. My preference is to be called a citizen, with no defining color attached.
Politically reactionary is one of the descriptions of a redneck. If they’re talking about voting, then that’s me. I try to vote in every election along with contributing financially to candidates of my choice. One thing I don’t do is protest in the streets, loot businesses, nor do I set things on fire to make a point. Again, these are things I see on the 6:00 news.
Prejudiced idea and beliefs is another definition of redneck. This is subjective to the person interpreting anyone’s thoughts on such. For many on the left, should I disagree with them, I’m automatically labeled a prejudiced individual. It can work both ways though. I always try to keep an open mind, yet nothing will change my opinion if it isn’t Biblically acceptable. I don’t compromise there.
The last definition of a redneck still has me chuckling. According to each online dictionary example, a redneck can only come from a rural area, for the most part, the South. I’ve lived in rural parts of the southern United States. Most residents there love God, family, and country in that order. This alone makes them rednecks to many individuals, especially those out bashing the US.
After proofreading what I just composed, it was incomprehensible why anyone would call me the R-word, especially a close relative. Perhaps she thought I manufactured moonshine like Uncle Jesse? I made a batch of homemade gunpowder once, but that’s a different story.
Asking my wife to please read my composition, and tell me what she thought, Joleen pondered for a few seconds before replying, “Yes, you’re definitely a redneck, but a good one!”
I like to write junk... 