How do you feel about classist elitism on DU?

[Bossy Monkey]

Endless references to white trash, etc. If you haven't seen such, start a Britney Spears thread and wait a second.

Living in South Carolina, I'm second to none in my resentment for the dumbocracy that we live in and bitterness towards those in my region who have contributed to its creation. However, it's more useful to reserve hatred for ignorance, poverty, stupidity and the delusion that Republicans actually care about anything but money rather than slam actual people who suffer under these conditions. Isn't that what we're supposed to be about? Don't worry, I put some funny responses on the poll, too. (One anyway.)

Edit: added a space

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. One major, MAJOR problem with your post

However, it's more useful to reserve hatred for ignorance, poverty, stupidity and the delusion that Republicans actually care about anything but money rather than slam actual people who suffer under these conditions. Isn't that what we're supposed to be about?

Those allegedly innocent, suffering people you're referring to OVERWHELMINGLY AND REPEATEDLY continue to elect the Republicans that continue to subject them to those conditions.

[Bossy Monkey]

9. Not innocent, deluded. It's a transitive verb, meaning that somebody has

deluded them. Southern Baptists, tv preachers, a military with a disproportionate presence in the South (creating kneejerk support for military spending), corporations wanting reliable unthinking customers, etc., etc., etc.

Moreover, around here, they do not vote overwhelmingly R except in national elections. The Rs just skate by in statewide elections, and every time a Democrat reinforces the impression that we are an elitist Northeastern upper-class party, we help them skate by just a little better. Your enemies are not the people and especially are not the poor, uneducated people. Your enemies are those misleading them, lying to them and cheating them and it is best and most useful never ever to forget it.

[Rabrrrrrr]

13. But saying that someone deluded them puts them in victim status.

And once they have victim status, then nothing is their fault; and I disagree with thinking. When I think "redneck" or "white trash", I think of someone who willingly chooses their life of ignorance and craptasticness.

Are there poor who are victims? Absolutely - far too many of them, and those are the ones we should help.

But I make a distinction between those who are poor and/or uneducated because they truly had/have no choice about it due an oppresive culture and society, and those who DO have a chance to be educated, or at least not be ignorant worthless fuckbags, but willingly refuse enlightenment. That's yer redneck and white trash population, amongst the caucasions anyway; though I'm not a fan of using either of those terms, either.

So when I look at Brittney, I don't see a victim - I see a filthy, idiotic, willingly ignorant shitbag who deserves our scorn for throwing away one of God's greatest gifts: a brain. Not to mention her throwing away her integrity as well, but that's for another thread.

[smtpgirl]

17. In this poll, there are no victims

White Trash and rednecks are now getting their just desserts.

Let them lie in a pool of cool whip and let them suffocate in it.

I'll call the "victims" the Katrina evacuees, the homeless, the mentally ill, and elders who can't afford anything but catfood.

[Radical Activist]

2. Republicans love it when liberals bash white trash/rednecks.

It just helps them convince people that Republicans are the party of poor whites while liberals are a bunch of northeastern, rich, elitists.

[Shell Beau]

3. I think instead of reserving hatred, we should try education.

I know it is easier said than done. But still, things stay the same if we don't work for change and the only way I see that happening is educating people against ignorance, hate, stupidity, etc.

[Midlodemocrat]

4. I think you have to consider this.

A lot of us are dismayed by the choices and behavior that Britney has made/shown. 'White trash' is a derogatory term. Period. No one ever wants to be thought of as 'white trash', therefore calling her such places us above her in terms of our judgment and sensibilities.

I think a lot of folks feel she earned that description when she was being interviewed by Charlie Gibson? about * and was chewing gum like a cow.

Like the references to Ann the Mann Coulter. We despise her and denigrating her views and the bile she spews isn't enough for some. Some feel the need to eviscerate her for her looks. It is just taking it one more step.



:edited for typo:

[Oeditpus Rex]

5. I usually say nothing

Often, the result of pointing out such errors of ways is to be turned against. Most people don't like it when their human foibles are made evident, and sometimes they strike back.

I'm particularly sensitive to such epithets as "trailer trash" and broad-brush painting of journalists. The last time I pointed out stereotyping in the former, I was basically told my home is worthless. And most of us have seen what happens at DU to one who defends members of the Fourth Estate.

Sigh...

[leftofthedial]

6. I think all you white trash skanks need to calm down

smoke a Kool and go back in your trailer

and get Joe Bob a beer.

Thank you, honey.

[jobycom]

7. Disgusted.

Whether I try to "set them straight" or just ignore them depends--as it does any time I deal with racists (and that's what they are)--on whether I think they have enough character to learn, or whether they are beyond hope.

[Mutley]

8. I think it's sad that

the stereotype of the "liberal elitist" is in fact true with many liberals. I think it's disgusting that people who claim to be liberal can so gleefully make others feel badly about themselves and the way they live or what they believe.

[BikeWriter]

10. Other, I'm from Texas, a Superior State!

Just/Kidding!

[Blue_Tires]

11. Robb is a dingbat?

[asthmaticeog]

12. I used to try to point out to people

that redneck slurs were plainly classist and arguably racist, but acceptance of them is so widespread as to be overwhelming. One could tilt at that windmill 24/7/365. Now I just mentally make note of it if someone uses those slurs, for future reference.

[JohnKleeb]

14. I just turn the other cheek and laugh because

I feel it says more about them than the people they're bashing. I've known some people who may be considered "White trash" by some standards but they were nice people. I flat out don't like elitism and classism of any form. I don't like the rich all assumed to be greedy bastards who made their fortunes on the blood of the poor nor do I like the working poor being derided as lazy or what have you. We should treat when we campaign treat these voters as people have more than common with us than we don't. Most of us are just trying to make a living, provide for ourselves and or our families, and live life.

[swag]

15. I am sure that I have been guilty of it.

Sorry all.

[SeattleGirl]

16. Disgusted, but I do try to educate people

Some, most actually, are open to things that people tell them, but some aren't. If I have tried to provide facts to someone, or even point out that they are painting people with a broad brush, and that person persists in applying the paint, then I just let it go. Regardless of what side of the political fence one is on, one will always run into people who just don't want to hear anything that goes against their opinion or their idea of the "facts".

Overall, I have had some good discussions with people that initially started out with them aiming a snark at someone or stereotyping a person/group. That, to me, is the best outcome.

[HEyHEY]

18. I'm all for it!

[bridgit]

19. i think du needs much, much more elitism, the current batch of elitists...

are so predictable in their prurient beliefs about a host of otherwise tame & straight forward 'grown up' issues as to make one long for a truly elitist cadre, one without a badge, handcuffs & a can of mace as a mere for instance :thumbsup:

[fishnfla]

20. I think it is fun and really adds to the mix.

Its great for a good laugh too. I vote more

[Rowdyboy]

21. I'd never try to educate someone like that....my time is too valuable

to waste on whaleshit.

[philosophie_en_rose]

22. Britney Spears is not the measure of the South, white people, or the US.

It is a fact that Britney Spears has been photographed endangering her child. She is politically ignorant, blindly supporting Shrub and urging other to do so. She pretended to be a virgin to sell records, and later admitted that her holier-than-thou attitude was a sham.

It doesn't mean a thing about any particular white person, Southern person, or Christian that a person that is allegedly all of those things has been identified as a hypocrite. Any more than attacking Imelda Marcos for dubious political dealings and outrageous shoes means that I'm saying or even suggesting that all Filipinas do as well.