Re-appropriation Of Language

Redneck Woman by Gretchen Wilson 

'Cause I'm a redneck woman
I ain't no high-class broad
I'm just a product of my raising
I say, 'hey ya'll' and 'yee-haw'

Victoria's Secret, well their stuff's real nice
Oh, but I can buy the same damn thing on a Wal-Mart shelf half-price
And still look sexy, just as sexy as those models on TV
No, I don't need no designer tag to make my man want me

you might think I'm trashy, a little too hardcore
But in my neck of the woods I'm just the girl next door

   REDNECK 

The meaning of the word originated in 19th and early 20th century to signify the sun burned "necks" of the farmers working long hours in the fields. 


Ever since then the characteristics of a " redneck" have been used as derogatory and stereotypical to portray: 

- any white racist, no matter where they came from

- white coal miners who belonged to labor unions ( southern Illinois and Indiana, West Virginia, eastern Kentucky) 

- term used by wealthy to name poor people living in rural districts who are also uneducated or savage. 

-  Southerners that were opposed to modern ways ( Conservative) 


How the Term was Reclaimed

-The term was reclaimed by political supporters of Mississippi Democratic Party( 1910) where poor white farmers wore red neckerchiefs to political rallies and picnics to signify " redneck" pride.
 
By late 20th and early 21st century
 
-Southern farmers embraced the term " redneck " as self-identifier and various groups such as Redneck Revolt, a anti-racist, pro-gun and pro-labor group used the term to celebrate redneck culture and express pride of the roots in white rural - working class. 

-  1990s country music boom portrayed pride in living a " redneck" lifestyle. Many country singers consider the word " redneck" as a lifestyle, not a derogatory term used to refer to Southern whites.

- Jeff Foxworthy, a comedian, publicizes his " redneck" upbringing and culture, even though, he was raised by parents who had white-collar jobs.

Evaluation of Re-appropriation

I believe that people who are outside of marginalized groups can use the re-appropriated form of " redneck", because there are so many nuances when considering the geography and culture of community. For example, one can live in the city, but enjoy country music and visit country style taverns or simply have friends that came from " redneck" cultural backgrounds. A song by Luke Bryan- What makes you country?- explains that people should decide what makes them country, because there is a not definite way one can describe  as being country. Some people love country music, fishing or just love nature and that makes them country. Country singers of 2021 do no use the word " redneck" to describe their culture and heritage instead they use " country" to signify one thing that brings everyone together no matter what political views and lifestyles people have. According to Luke Bryan, considering yourself " redneck" is " Whatever makes you country". Moreover, in a song by Gretchen Wilson, she describes that people look down on her because she is considered to be " Redneck Woman", but she explains that she is " just a girl next door" or a simple-living woman with a different lifestyle- not racist, or conservative views as stereotypical meaning of the term suggests. 
A comedian, Jeff Foxworthy, still considers himself a " redneck" even though, he went to college and was raised by parents that has white-collar jobs. 
The term has been re-appropriated to many suburban communities who are not necessarily poor white farmers from Southern U.S. as term " redneck" initially meant. The use of term " redneck" depends on the mindset of the individual and communities. The word was also re-appropriated to people who went to college and got various degrees despite " redneck" symbolizing someone who is uneducated and un-sophisticated. 




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