On page 146 of Ballard’s chapter in Back Talk from Appalachia, Ballard tries to draw a distinction between those who buy hillbilly products because they get the joke(s) and those who see the products and believe the stereotypes they perpetuate. For this week’s prompt, I would like you to reflect on these statements. What do you think Ballard means? Do you agree with her or disagree? Does purchasing such products mean that you are supporting the stereotype the product represents? Is it ok for some people to purchase the products and not others? Are you comfortable purchasing such products? Why or why not?

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.

On the first day of class you were asked to write about your perceptions of Appalachians and the Appalachian region. I asked you to consider writing whatever popped into your head. How might your own upbringing (your race, class, gender, socio-economic status, ability, sexual identity, etc.) have shaped the perspectives you wrote about on the first day of class.

I believe that ones upbringing has a lot to do with the perceptions of not only the Appalachian region, but also perceptions in our everyday views. I’m sure its not wrong to say that everyone is influenced with each new piece of knowledge they learn, or a deep conversation they just had, or even something just as simple as listening to a song or watching a tv show. Personally I have different views than that of most of my room mates, we are all from different areas, we are from different races and cultural backgrounds, the social structure of our lives are different; even the things we do and experience here at VMI are different.

Talking specifically about the Appalachian region my views were different that some of what were written on the board the first day of class; when I gave my perception of hippies being from the area I got a few surprised looks. I have that perception of the culture because I have friends that go to Appalachian State and when I have visited Boone in the past i have always noticed some people who dress like hipsters and have also seen some cultural aspects of hipsters. I am also familiar with moonshine being made in the region. I think its fair to say that moonshine is a popular perception of the culture but being that my family has a lake house in Franklin County Virginia, also known as the moonshine capital of the world, I have seen it first hand numerous times. I’ve seen how easy it is to get a jar of “white lightning” and just how different of an area Franklin County is compared to that of Raleigh, NC where I live.