For this week’s prompt, I’d like you to use your favorite search engine to search the terms “hillbilly” and “redneck.” What sorts of results come up in your search? How are these terms used both derogatorily and positively? Where do you see examples of people or groups using the terms in a mean-spiritied, condescending way? What examples do you see where Appalachians have reclaimed the terms and use them as something they are proud of? Are there differences between the two terms or people that use them? Can a person be both a hillbilly and a redneck?

I searched both Hillbilly and Redneck on google and went to the wikipedia site where each term was given a history a background, and what the meanings of the words are today. I found that both terms have deep history and can be used as both derogatory and positive terms. I also found that both terms have been adopted by its “people” and used in positive light. The main difference between hillbilly and redneck is that redneck is a widly used term, hillbilly pertains specifically to people in the appalachian region whereas redneck pertains to a poor white person in the southern United States but I believe it has an even wider use than that.

By using the derogatory term of hillbilly it means that the person is backward violent and uncivilized; it also implies that the person probably dresses very poorly and drinks whiskey. While having many derogatory uses hillbilly has been adopted by its own people and used in festival names and awards. Hillbilly also can mean someone is self reliant and independent. There have also been television shows centered around hillbillies that usually shows them as backwards people but can usually outwit city people.

Redneck takes on a derogatory term just like hillbilly but in a bit of different way; redneck is usually used to describe someone who is a poor farmer in the southern U.S. but also used attack a southern conservative. The term is also used to degrade the white working class. The reason this is done is because the term actually came from poor people who worked outside for a living and whose necks would actually turn a red color due to the constant sunburn. In my opinion the word redneck has done a better job of reclaiming itself into a positive term to its own people. There are songs with redneck in the title, there is a variety of jokes that start with “you might be a redneck if” and there are also political ties to the word. coalminers used to wear red bandanas to help unionize the different races and pull together as a group in strikes.

There are obvious differences in the terms but I don’t think that it stops a person from being both a hillbilly and a redneck. Both groups come from similar areas and similar backgrounds and a farmer that drinks whiskey, dresses poorly, and is independent and conservative could very easily be called both terms.