Interesting article. And let me just say how I totally disagree.
National Sexuality Resource Center (NSRC) — Article
Here are some quotes from the article
While white trash is likely to have originated in African American slang, it was middle-class and elite whites who found the term most compelling and useful and they who, ultimately, made it part of popular American speech.
I just love how they are making excuses and assuming that it orginated from Blacks.
The term white trash dates back not to the 1950s but to the 1820s. It arises not in Mississippi or Alabama, but in and around Baltimore, Maryland. And best guess is that it was invented not by whites, but by African Americans. As a term of abuse, white trash was used by blacks—both free and enslaved—to disparage local poor whites.
Notice it says AT BEST GUESS. Keyword here is GUESS. Is that an educated guess? A racist guess? Or just a guess they pulled out of no where, because they couldn’t think of any other people to point their fingers toward. Interesting enough it doesn’t really matter where the term originated from, those facts they would never admit that the term started within the white community by upper class whites looking down on lower class whites. But of course that community (the white community) are always proactive and would never divide themselves on the lines of class. That only happens in the Black community. So of course it makes sense to say that the term originated outside of their community and in the Black community, place blame elsewhere, that’s what’s been going on since the beginning. If you leave it up to them, we are own reason for slavery “African’s sold one another into slavery” disregarding the fact that “whites were the one to purchase them”. Everyone else’s wrong is always greater than their own. Read the rest of the article to draw your own conclusion.
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“But of course that community (the white community) are always proactive and would never divide themselves on the lines of class.”
Whoa.
Racism is not confined to Whites, Hispanics, Blacks or any other group. Some of the worst racism I have seen was in Mexico, and in a Somalian community.
Why put everyone in the same basket? Jeez hatred sucks.
It was sarcasm.
I guess some people must be a little slow when it comes to the expression of words typed out online.
Oh and um racism only pertains to those in the majority. See I could see how over in Africa this “might” apply, but here in america racism does not apply to any person producing more melanin than your average white jane or joe. See in order for me a “black” person to practice racism, I would have to be part of a group that outnumbered others here in America. That would also mean I would have the say so in denying you a loan, a home in a certain area, service in my restaurant, purchasing a product within my store, and driving away with a vehicle from my dealership with a low interest rate. Since white people are the majority in america, they can practice racism and they do. But since you my dear Bloggrrl are an idiot, I am not surprised you would not understand that. I’m pretty sure you experienced racism in those places because you were the MINORITY not part of the MAJORITY. This is why it becomes crucial to read on how racism and class work together. Pick up a book today!
From:
The Negro, His Origin, History and Destiny: Containing a Reply to “The Negro a Beast”
By Henry Parker Eastman
Published by Eastern Pub. Co., 1905
Original from the University of Michigan
Digitized Dec 11, 2006
448 pages
On page 382:
When a man came into a community it was not asked, what is his character ? What is his wisdom and learning ? What is his attitude toward Christianity, etc., but how many “niggers” has he ? Not what is he but what has he ? Of course there were a few exceptions to the rule, but they were very few.
The writer, when a child five years old, came to the South, and thereafter witnessed the matter of “castes,” although by accident his father’s family became exceptions to the rule above. but it was by the merest chance. Even the negroes themselves had no respect for a man who was not a slave owner. We have often overheard their conversations relative to families as had no slaves: “Who is dem folks any how ?” “Da is from de Norf.” “Is they got any niggers ?” “No; ‘couse da aint.” “Den da’s po’ white trash, is da ?” “look’ee heah, chile, I don’t want you playin’ wid de chillin of dem po’ white trash, you’ll git suffen in yo’ hair. You heah ?” This was followed by extravagant laughter, as something smart was supposed to have been said.
As to political prestige of poor men it was impossible, as slave owners held the balance of power. Thus the man without negroes was barred.