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Alhena

(3,030 posts)
Sat Nov 11, 2017, 10:53 AM Nov 2017

Is It Racist to Call Roy Moore Republicans White Trash?

As a white southerner, I was not at all surprised to see the good folks of Alabama rally behind Roy Moore. I expected nothing less, since I know Roy Moore Republicans, which is to say mainstream southern Republicans. Most of them are what is generally referred to as White Trash. The differences from prior decades are twofold: 1) there seem to be more of them and 2) they are definitely more bold in wearing their lack of values and class as a point of pride.

I think a big part of the Trump Revolution is that it's a giant leap towards making the movie "Idiocracy" actual prophecy. I've heard some say that their worry is that in forty years their children would ask why we didn't stop Trump. My worry is that in forty years people will think Trump was ok, but why didn't we elect someone like Macho Man Randy Savage or Kid Rock?

Now, I recognize the political correctness concerns of saying this, but I feel like speaking the truth this morning. And I really hope I'm wrong but fear I'm not.

35 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Is It Racist to Call Roy Moore Republicans White Trash? (Original Post) Alhena Nov 2017 OP
It's definitely 'a thing.' yallerdawg Nov 2017 #1
Preparing for the post-apocalypse? Baitball Blogger Nov 2017 #25
Well, if they're white and they're trash, it's just accuracy. Aristus Nov 2017 #2
I believe the polite term is Hill William. n/t malchickiwick Nov 2017 #3
Moore's supporters are despicable trash. dalton99a Nov 2017 #4
I am absolutely. Snackshack Nov 2017 #5
I just bought 1000 shares of Brawndo stock :) Alhena Nov 2017 #6
😂 Snackshack Nov 2017 #18
I think it is racist and I've used the term myself. sarah FAILIN Nov 2017 #7
I surpressed the urge to use the term before Trump, now I see what these people are doing to Alhena Nov 2017 #8
Pretty much, but disgusting Talibornagain pedophile trash JCMach1 Nov 2017 #9
Certainly not get the red out Nov 2017 #10
I'd say yes to the term no to the sentiment of your post. rogue emissary Nov 2017 #11
No. nt LexVegas Nov 2017 #12
Sadly it's racist term and a weak one at that. I prefer the term 'deplorables' kydo Nov 2017 #13
Despicable Break time Nov 2017 #14
Deplorables is indeed an accurate term to use. Plus they feel the term is a badge of honor. LonePirate Nov 2017 #15
and in fact they might not be poor white people treestar Nov 2017 #21
I think you owe an apology to that safeinOhio Nov 2017 #16
Yes loyalsister Nov 2017 #17
Easily the most creative response here. BannonsLiver Nov 2017 #22
awww loyalsister Nov 2017 #30
Ive been working in white grievance BannonsLiver Nov 2017 #31
I have to admit it, I am bigoted against Roy Moore GOPers, particularly those who still support him. Hoyt Nov 2017 #19
If you are limiting it to Moore supporters treestar Nov 2017 #20
I once saw southerner and Civil War historian Shelby Foote on C-SPAN2 interviewed. brewens Nov 2017 #23
It's a term generally used by whites to insult whites. When they really want to go low, mia Nov 2017 #24
Technically I guess you could say yes it is racist since you're insulting someone no matter Kirk Lover Nov 2017 #26
Trash or MFM008 Nov 2017 #27
Ive been working in white grievance into my verbiage BannonsLiver Nov 2017 #28
My late mother used to say she rather be a classy black woman than white trash kimbutgar Nov 2017 #29
It is racist to say there are races, period! There are no races, just people. L. Coyote Nov 2017 #32
No Gothmog Nov 2017 #33
"White Trash" is a bigoted term, used by White Supremacists... Iggo Nov 2017 #34
Absolutely not liberaltrucker Nov 2017 #35

Snackshack

(2,541 posts)
5. I am absolutely.
Sat Nov 11, 2017, 11:10 AM
Nov 2017

In awe of how “life is imitating art” with regards to our current political figures and the movie (documentary now) Idiocracy.

sarah FAILIN

(2,857 posts)
7. I think it is racist and I've used the term myself.
Sat Nov 11, 2017, 11:15 AM
Nov 2017

I didn't realize it till someone pointed it out that if I call someone white trash that they would wonder what I called black people that were trashy. I felt bad so I started just saying trashy in general.
Now if you say white trash at my house you are asking for a mix of chex cereal, marshmallows, dried cranberries, sunflower nuts, honey nut cheerios, and little pretzels covered in white chocolate.

Alhena

(3,030 posts)
8. I surpressed the urge to use the term before Trump, now I see what these people are doing to
Sat Nov 11, 2017, 11:19 AM
Nov 2017

our country and the world I can't help but say what I actually think about these people, without putting any fig leafs over what they are.

rogue emissary

(3,148 posts)
11. I'd say yes to the term no to the sentiment of your post.
Sat Nov 11, 2017, 11:27 AM
Nov 2017

Ever since I heard John Waters talk about the phrase. I've refrained from using it. As an African American, I'm not the deciding judge on the subject.

kydo

(2,679 posts)
13. Sadly it's racist term and a weak one at that. I prefer the term 'deplorables'
Sat Nov 11, 2017, 11:34 AM
Nov 2017

Much more accurate and without using race.

treestar

(82,383 posts)
21. and in fact they might not be poor white people
Sat Nov 11, 2017, 12:26 PM
Nov 2017

the middle and upper classes have their racists too, and they don't come under the stereotype we have of "white trash."

loyalsister

(13,390 posts)
17. Yes
Sat Nov 11, 2017, 11:55 AM
Nov 2017

It suggests that there a few white people who are trashy and that they must be separated from other white people because everyone who isn't white is trash. It is elitist and reflects a belief that white people are superior.

loyalsister

(13,390 posts)
30. awww
Sat Nov 11, 2017, 01:04 PM
Nov 2017

I'm always amazed at how people respond when hateful language that exploits stereotypes is critiqued. Don't deprive me of my right to dehumanize people and spread hate! In fact, Trump's anti-PC campaign was based on it.
The turnabout efforts are rooted in racism. The very same assumptions (drug addled, lazy, ignorant, victims of their own actions) that have been used to demonize people of color are now being applied to white people labeled deplorables.

BannonsLiver

(16,396 posts)
31. Ive been working in white grievance
Sat Nov 11, 2017, 01:11 PM
Nov 2017

Not the same as WT obviously but it generally applies to the same people, yet isn’t quite as inflammatory.

 

Hoyt

(54,770 posts)
19. I have to admit it, I am bigoted against Roy Moore GOPers, particularly those who still support him.
Sat Nov 11, 2017, 12:17 PM
Nov 2017

treestar

(82,383 posts)
20. If you are limiting it to Moore supporters
Sat Nov 11, 2017, 12:25 PM
Nov 2017

then I would not feel sorry for them if you did it.

We don't want to forget the white liberals in the South (though they may tend to move out of it, but some are left).

And remember the AA populations of the Southern states are larger (remember Hillary winning them in the primaries and she had the black vote). But outnumbered of course by white people, who make the state seem racist when there are a lot of people there who are the victims, not the racists.

brewens

(13,592 posts)
23. I once saw southerner and Civil War historian Shelby Foote on C-SPAN2 interviewed.
Sat Nov 11, 2017, 12:38 PM
Nov 2017

I think he was promoting his book Shilo. He was bashing people that had the Confederate battle flag on their pickup trucks and whatever. Saying, "they're a bunch of yayhoos that should have never been born to see it fly."

I can see southerners like Foote having some pride in that part of their heritage. The war was all about slavery, but you always have kids that don't really care about the real issues. They go off to fight the bad guys for honor and glory. We had plenty of those in WWII for sure, it just happened to be a worthy cause that time. He knew the assholes were using the flag for intimidation. Their way of showing the black people that they would be right back in the fields if they had their way.

mia

(8,361 posts)
24. It's a term generally used by whites to insult whites. When they really want to go low,
Sat Nov 11, 2017, 12:40 PM
Nov 2017

they use the term "trailer trash". I've only heard Republicans use either term. Sadly, both of them were relatives. Could be wrong, but I've also read both in a variety of essays and novels.

 

Kirk Lover

(3,608 posts)
26. Technically I guess you could say yes it is racist since you're insulting someone no matter
Sat Nov 11, 2017, 12:47 PM
Nov 2017

who it is based on their race. It could be viewed as a racist insult but that doesn't necessarily mean the person saying it is an outright racist. Well then since I'm white....I'm 'allowed' to use it tee hee and I will continue to do so. Normally I don't throw the white in there but I have. I also just use piece of shit or other insults to cover everybody and often 'trash' doesn't seem to cover it.

BannonsLiver

(16,396 posts)
28. Ive been working in white grievance into my verbiage
Sat Nov 11, 2017, 12:56 PM
Nov 2017

It’s classier than WT and is more or less about the same types of people.

kimbutgar

(21,157 posts)
29. My late mother used to say she rather be a classy black woman than white trash
Sat Nov 11, 2017, 12:57 PM
Nov 2017

I also like the word “ crackers”.

Iggo

(47,558 posts)
34. "White Trash" is a bigoted term, used by White Supremacists...
Sat Nov 11, 2017, 04:29 PM
Nov 2017

...to describe white people who don't measure up to their ideal.

In other words, white people who are no better than the coloreds.

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