Is White Trash a racist term?

[Black_Warrior]

So I have seen this term used a great deal, quite openly, mainly to refer to white people who themselves tend to be racist. But irrespective of the behaviour of said group, isn't it still racist to refer to them by this term?

And there isn't really the stigma attached to this term the way there is to other racist/derogatory terms and there aren't really any repurcussions for using this term in public

Thoughts?

 

[Athlai]

Sorta, but it's more of a class-based insult.

 

[brockley]

I use it,there are some white trash to be honest.

 

[duffer]

I've only ever heard it used in public a couple of times. By white people themselves.

Or what Athers said above.

 

[tobe_ornot2]

Yes but more so, it is a way to demonise the poor, in particular those from particular backgrounds in America. It is wrong to use in my opinion.

 

[cpr]

Yes it is, Warrior of Colour.

 

[BoyBrumby]

I adopted Whiskey Tango as my preferred synonym after I heard it used in Generation Kill.

It's clearly derogatory, but to call it "racist" is a bit of a stretch. Especially as it's mainly used by white people.

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

It's a double negative.

 

[brockley]

White **** is racist been called that,and took it as such.
But yeh have used white trash a lot.

 

[Victor Ian]

I don't think I have ever used White Trash (aside from the milk bottles). Take the racist colour identity out of it and just call them trash. I like to call them ferals.

 

[brockley]

I don't call whitrash on etiquite or morals,or general goodness,to me thats not white trash.
Neither do I call all ferals white trash some can be inteliigent beings.

Its not a term of class.
Actions speak louder than words.

If your a drug user,lazy,unkempt,loud etc etc that translates to me as white trash.

You can be unemployed,been looking for work,do volunteer work,be neat,cordial etc etc.

 

[Victor Ian]

Trash has nothing to do with income. Some of the greatest people on Earth are/have been poor. Nor is wearing unkempt clothing necessarily trashy. There have been a few reality series on tv featuring some very expensively dressed and rather wealthy trash. Trash seems to be all about one's mental and moral facilities. I feel poor morals and ignorance are the hall marks of trash. Basically, it's about training and self restraint. That is why I prefer 'feral'.

With all their unrivalled advantages it is funny that the colour association of trash is white. What do we call black, brown and yellow trash?

 

[watson]

No words of themselves are intrinsically racist or insulting. It all depends on their context, who says them, and why.

 

[sledger]

No words of themselves are intrinsically racist or insulting. It all depends on their context, who says them, and why.

Wow. How profound.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Opened my eyes for sure.

 

[watson]

Wow. How profound.

Yes, sarcasm is one example of a context. I'm now very upset.

 

[Uppercut]

I'm sure it gets used in a racist way sometimes, but not usually.

 

[Spark]

I don't call whitrash on etiquite or morals,or general goodness,to me thats not white trash.
Neither do I call all ferals white trash some can be inteliigent beings.

Its not a term of class.
Actions speak louder than words.

If your a drug user,lazy,unkempt,loud etc etc that translates to me as white trash.

You can be unemployed,been looking for work,do volunteer work,be neat,cordial etc etc.

Yeah, this is about class.

 

[sledger]

Whether it's racist or not I'd be inclined to avoid using it. Any sort of derogatory term which has a characteristic or trait that is beyond the control of the individual who possesses it at its heart is pretty unsavoury to me.

Actually, maybe not any characteristic/trait. But certainly anything to do with race, health, physical or mental impairment etc.

Baiting people for being short is fair game though

 

[NZTailender]

Yeah, this is about class.

Good to know all those corporate professionals or extroverts who partake in coke or MDMA are white trash