Wednesday, April 18, 2012

"Mother upset over teacher saying ‘redneck’ is racist"

From The Journal Times.com:

"RACINE — A local mother is 'appalled' that a Racine Unified elementary school teacher allegedly called her son 'racist' but she has so far not talked with the teacher about the incident.

"Instead, Breann Hooser has spoken about it with district officials, transferred her son to a different Unified school, contacted local media and called for the teacher’s removal from the classroom. Hooser has also asked legislators to revise state laws to make educators’ personnel records public.

“'I’m very concerned we’re not allowed to know what happens with the teachers. I’m appalled this teacher did not lose any work,' said Hooser, 32, of Racine, a stay-at-home mom. 'I don’t know if she was talked to, if she was reprimanded, if she was suspended.'

"The incident in question happened on March 23 at Knapp Elementary School, 2701 17th St., when Hooser’s fourth-grade son, who is white, completed a class assignment by writing, 'I like country music because I’m a redneck hillbilly,' Hooser said.

"The teacher, who is black, then told the boy in front of the class that 'redneck' was racist against black people, Hooser said.

“'To us, it’s a family joke,' Hooser said, explaining they use the term 'redneck' to make fun of themselves for being 'country.' 'It wasn’t meant to be offensive.'”



When I think of redneck, I think of Jeff Foxworthy's "You might be a redneck if . . . " routine.  How is it "racist against black people"?   If it is, then isn't black people referring to themselves as "niggers" racist against white people?

I usually disagree with the Politically Correct Police.  This time is no exception.

What do you think?

10 comments:

Beejay said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
TSE said...

REDNECK comes from the sunburn a poor white laborer would get from being outside and doing... manual labor.

NO matter who applies it, it is derogatory towards White people -
HOWEVER, most White people aren't oversensitive, and some take it as a matter of pride.

I have worked for Farmers, so you City People will never get it. In construction, it was 40 on the check - cash at straight time for the other MANDATORY hours - usually 6 days a week, 10 hour min. days. I also worked on a Dairy Farm - where most of the machinery was broken and manual labor was applied - I ran silage to the barn via 4 plastic 5-gallon buckets by hand, shoveled manure and ran it with a wheelbarrow, split wood by hand, ran water in 2 5 gallon buckets at a time.

White boy Cheezeheads who learned farm work ethics are valued and prized for their strength, persistence, and being willing to work long hours. The boss prized us REDNECKS above the others because of that.

It's only Racist if it's used that way - just like Black people call each other the N word - but White people aren't suppoused to say it.

IF the child takes pride in being a Redneck - it's fine with me! The Teacher WAS WRONG! Being a Redneck is part of poor White labor culture - and a point of pride indicating work ethic. Leave the child alone.

Beejay said...

You are opening a can of worms here, Orbs.

First of all Google "Redneck Yacht Club, Punta Gorda, FL" I can assure you this is not a racist group of people...they are racers...yep, four wheelers in the mud...Racers, yes, racist, nope...not by any stretch.


I think this teacher needs to be educated. And I think she needs to be called on this treatment of this child. This is crazy.

Beejay said...

TSE, Yes, you are right...

TSE, I removed a comment where I decided perhaps I shouldn't mention how the black population uses two sets of rules when it comes to derogatory labels. One for them and one of the rest of the people in the world. I am not a racist; never have been...but stuff like this makes my head hurt.

No, 'Redneck' is not a derogatory term.

Perhaps that teacher needs some sensitivity training so she does not offend the true rednecks by stating such hogwash.

legal stranger said...

Way to go Orbs, put it out there for discussion. I am repulsed with the 2 standards that exist in our press and society.
Words are only whispers in the wind,
Actions speak louder than words and either build or destroy by intended or unintended consequences.
Childhood rymes are taught for a reason.
Remember: Sticks and Stones......
We now live in a world of panzies, so toughen up !!!

Sassa said...

Don't some group people into catagories? Whether they wear a suit, take a lunch bucket to work, wear cowboy boots, Wear high heels, or tennies to work, wear a uniform? I think everyone has a mind set as to which group people belong to. Mine was a redneck was trailer trash..or when I was in the mood..ME. LOL Redneck was a joke. People are getting way too sensitive. If someone calls you a bad name, be proud! Not everyone can be one. Again LOL

Sassa said...

Speaking of lunch buckets...did I just refer to how old I am? ANOTHER LOL!

kkdither said...

I think the race card is too easy to play. We need to not be so sensitive. The teacher could have used this situation as a learning tool; instead, she chose to address it, in what sounds like an angry fashion. Of course we only know what is being said after the fact. It sound to me like the story has been embellished by both sides.

Kids don't understand racism whether they are black or white. It is just as confusing to adults. Why must we continue to hate? It serves no valuable purpose.

There are plenty of African American children that call me mom. It is how you treat someone, whether there is respect for them as a person that counts. Cultures can be very different, but color is only skin deep.

OrbsCorbs said...

The hardest work I know is farm work.

I don't consider "redneck" to be racist. I never have. The negative connotations of the word have been erased by the self-deprecating humor of self-proclaimed rednecks.

Beejay said...

kk, children have to be taught racism...we aren't born with it....and in my opinion, that's what this teacher was doing.