What does "Redneck" mean to you? [View All]

I have seen a few posts using the term, at least one where is was universally applied to rural white people. I try not to use the term on public message boards or in mixed company because I consider the term offensive. I have lived in rural areas my whole life, mostly Ohio and Wisconsin, and there the term is not complimentary. It is not a general term refer to everyone who is white and rural, not even farmers or laborers. It is about someone with a specific attitude, way of life, and mannerisms. A "redneck" is white and rural but also is ignorant (usually willfully), xenophobic (bigotted in most ways including against people who aren't from around here), is rude, and dislikes change. I could include more, but these are the basics by what is meant by it. I am ashamed to admit that I do use the word when I talk to friends who are not "rednecks" derogatorily the same way that someone who is racist might use the word "nigger" or "wetback".
No one has ever called me "redneck" which I am glad about. It makes me uneasy though how it is being thrown around. I am aware that some people including Bill Clinton refer to himself as "redneck" but I think it is more of a word reclaiming joke. If the word "nigger" wasn't such a charged word it would be like Colin Powell referring to himself as that for people who associate the word more with black urban rap stereotype.