Racial slurs and derogatory terms

[Chesko]

I also did not understand the author's use of the word redneck. I think it was so unnecessary and inconsistent with his stance in the book.

[Itz Savaga]

I'd say the social climate at the time was solely responsible for the indescriminate use of such terms.

[TheGayOne12]

I feel like derogatory terms are more than just...mean words. They're words that carry extremely negative connotations with them backed up by history. Although I don't think one can compare the terms, I can see how people would be offended by 'redneck' as well.

[María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda]

I also did not understand the author's use of the word redneck. I think it was so unnecessary and inconsistent with his stance in the book.

That was my first impression, too. I always appreciate people being congruent. However, other members of OBC have brought up very interesting nuances about the topic, which is why I find these forum discussions so enriching.

[María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda]

I feel like derogatory terms are more than just...mean words. They're words that carry extremely negative connotations with them backed up by history. Although I don't think one can compare the terms, I can see how people would be offended by 'redneck' as well.

I don't find it personally offensive. I just think people's words and actions should be congruent, and I think we should be empathic with what other people could find hurtful, even when we don't personally understand it.

[Amiczy Heaven]

I do not think it is totally derogatory, I think “red neck” was based on the social climate of that time. If anyone else considers it derogatory then I do not in anyway dismiss their feeling, it just doesn’t come off as a racial slur to me.

[María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda]

I do not think it is totally derogatory, I think “red neck” was based on the social climate of that time. If anyone else considers it derogatory then I do not in anyway dismiss their feeling, it just doesn’t come off as a racial slur to me.

I don't think it could be considered a racial slur, either, but it was used back then as a derogatory term. As many others have mentioned, one of the differences is the degree of violence that a word implies.

[Mary Michael 3]

Racism is still alive and well. People often describe rasism as disliking others on the base on their race. Research also shows that children are more attuned to the faces of the racial majority group.

[Wesusa]

Adding onto what others have said, while it is a derogatory term, the context of the time period of the story should be taken into account. It's not as if the word is being glorified, it's much more to make encapsulate the world the story takes place. That being said I do think it is a bit overused. If used in context and in dialogue it would be somewhat understandable, but the constant use of it is almost inconsistent with his stance on these derogatory terminologies.

[Buk Nerd]

I believe the social climate at the time is not one that was partial to political correctness. Racial discrimination and the use of slurs like "redneck" can be attributed to the social climate during that period.

[Essy Nma]

I think it should be attributed to the social climate of the time. The segregation that comes from racism makes it possible for such words to be used.

[Gifty_biblophile]

I feel the author was incongruent because he complained about the use of N word openly. The N word is racist. (It describes a person with skin color) and him using redneck, also a word to describe a race with their skin color, makes him incongruent.

[María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda]

Adding onto what others have said, while it is a derogatory term, the context of the time period of the story should be taken into account. It's not as if the word is being glorified, it's much more to make encapsulate the world the story takes place. That being said I do think it is a bit overused. If used in context and in dialogue it would be somewhat understandable, but the constant use of it is almost inconsistent with his stance on these derogatory terminologies.

You make a great point. The word is repeated too many times. I think once could be a mistake that an author or even an editor could have overlooked, but so many times make it much more intentional.

[Victor Jerry I]

The author complains, and rightfully so, about the use of racial slurs ("Some were even taunted by hearing the N word openly..." )
However, he uses the derogatory term "redneck," (i.e. "They thought nothing of beating down any redneck who disrespected them.")
Do you think this is incongruent? Or could it be attributed to the social climate of the time, in which political correctness was not a priority?

I believe the author is incongruent by using the word redneck to describe a person by his/her skin color or tribe. Since he complains of using the N word, he shouldn’t use words like redneck, blonde, coolie etc.

[María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda]

The author complains, and rightfully so, about the use of racial slurs ("Some were even taunted by hearing the N word openly..." )
However, he uses the derogatory term "redneck," (i.e. "They thought nothing of beating down any redneck who disrespected them.")
Do you think this is incongruent? Or could it be attributed to the social climate of the time, in which political correctness was not a priority?

I believe the author is incongruent by using the word redneck to describe a person by his/her skin color or tribe. Since he complains of using the N word, he shouldn’t use words like redneck, blonde, coolie etc.

Wow, I didn't know half of those terms. I don't know if I should feel ignorant or relieved
Thank you for your insight!