Deon Barnard

What is a redneck?

Wikipedia says: “Redneck is a disparaging term that refers to a person who is stereotypically Caucasian and of lower social-economic status in the United States and Canada, particularly referring to those living in rural areas. Originally limited to the Southern United States, and then to Appalachia, the term has become widely used throughout North America.”

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy says: “A slang term, usually for a rural white southerner who is politically conservative, racist, and a religious fundamentalist (see fundamentalism).”

Jeff Foxworthy says: You might be a redneck if; you think God looks a lot like Hank Williams, Jr., and heaven looks a lot like Daytona Beach; OR the people on Jerry Springer’s show remind you of your neighbors; OR a seven course meal is a bucket of KFC and a six-pack.

Don’t be fooled into thinking that rednecks are some strange version of humanity in the U.S. we conveniently like to poke fun at. In fact, if you like redneck jokes you’re probably one yourself. I have found that the defining traits of the cliché redneck can be found in the majority of people I meet everywhere in the world, and it’s a little frightening. The attributes that make up the redneck phenomena are not endearing to human greatness or global enlightenment, and don’t think that because you’re a democrat or wealthy or speak in an understandable English accent that you’re immune to red-necked-ness. Here are three reasons why YOU may actually be a redneck yourself.

1. You think your religion is the only way…

You are convinced that your particular view on God, spiritual traditions and the afterlife is the only way. Everyone else is wrong. In fact, the other poor sods are all going to hell and that’s just the way it is. Sure, only 100 000 others see things exactly the way you do, but that just confirms that you’re a special child of God and you’ve secured your place on Daytona beach… I mean heaven. Your brain seems to have no problem with the fact that you’ve simply adopted the religion of your parents and culture, like everyone else, or that there are thousands of religions, all doing effectively the same stuff and calling it by different names, or that at least five billion people disagree with you. You also don’t seem to see how religious self righteousness has alienated you from loving and tolerant relationships with anyone who is not like you, neither have you been enriched by these cultures which you fear.

2. You think your culture/country/race is superior.

When asked if you’re a racist you reply, “Definitely not! I work with black people every day”; OR “No way man, white people are fine, they must just stay on their side of town”; OR “I’ve never been a racist in my life! What, a Zimbabwean is moving in next door? Oh… I see… well that’s different”. Everywhere I go people make some other race the butt of their jokes. The English look down on the Irish (well, the Scottish too… and the welsh… and, well everyone really). The Americans look down on the Mexicans. The Mexicans look down on the Cubans. The whites look down on the Asians. The Asians look down on the blacks. It’s a never ending circle of fear, judgment and hatred, but most of all – ignorance. We hate what we fear, because the hate gives us a reason to stay within the safety of our own communities where we don’t have to be inconvenienced or challenged to see the world differently. We fear what we do not understand. In my training I challenge people to make friends with people of other cultures, to eat in their homes and invite them into their own homes and to take in interest in how and why other people do things the way they do. Your culture is not superior because it has bigger weapons or more wealth or is more spiritual or literary or scientific. Every culture adds something beneficial to the world and gives us a glimpse of truth from another perspective. On the other hand, no culture will benefit from wallowing in self pity or sulking about historical unfairness.

3. You are scared of successful and learned people.

A true redneck trait is to avoid meaningful interaction with philosophical, academic, intellectual, wealthy or successful people, mainly because they scare you. Instead, a redneck will be derisive, sarcastic and contemptuous in the presence of such people in an effort to hide their own perceived deficiencies in these areas. Rednecks live by a standard of “KISS” (keep it simple stupid), and in the process miss out on the richness and opportunities that life offers those who are brave and curious enough to overcome their own fears and inhibitions and take responsibility for their lives. Next time you find yourself at a social event of the intellectually proficient, be clever enough to have a real conversation with someone, ask a few questions and take phone numbers. Oh, and it also helps to overcome yourself enough to smile, be friendly, be diplomatic and refrain from rude and antisocial behavior like compulsive swearing, antagonism or burping – just a thought.

A Redneck’s life is ruled by fear and low self esteem, but there is hope. Even though we haven’t found the evolutionary missing link between redneck-man and enlightened-man, it is my belief that with a bit of effort, all homo-sapien species have the potential to evolve into tolerant, gracious, intelligent and responsible creatures. I can only hope.