"White Trash" is a completely racist term.

[CardiacCoug]

I think it's funny how "white trash" is so commonly used and accepted. The term is clearly derogatory toward non-whites and is a relic of racist attitudes. It implies that all non-whites are trash but that some white people are "white trash."

I think it's accepted because on first take it seems to be offensive only to whites. If you think about it, though, it's actually more offensive toward non-whites.

Anyway, I've just heard and seen that term a lot lately and I have no idea why more people don't have a problem with it. I don't consider myself a prude at all, I would never feel comfortable using that term in a public setting or with people I didn't know very well.

[Indy Coug]

Originally Posted by CardiacCoug

It implies that all non-whites are trash but that some white people are "white trash."

I don't buy that for a second.

[MikeWaters]

actually, I don't know if that's true.

There are distinctions among other "races".

warning: language

[creekster]

This link says its etymology shows it is from black slang.

http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=trash

OF course, either way it is racist, as we have defined the term at this site.

[SeattleUte]

Originally Posted by CardiacCoug

I think it's funny how "white trash" is so commonly used and accepted. The term is clearly derogatory toward non-whites and is a relic of racist attitudes. It implies that all non-whites are trash but that some white people are "white trash."

I think it's accepted because on first take it seems to be offensive only to whites. If you think about it, though, it's actually more offensive toward non-whites.

Anyway, I've just heard and seen that term a lot lately and I have no idea why more people don't have a problem with it. I don't consider myself a prude at all, I would never feel comfortable using that term in a public setting or with people I didn't know very well.

If black trash came into common usage would that fix it? That would mean there are some people in each group that are trash and some that aren't. Right?

[CardiacCoug]

Originally Posted by SeattleUte

If black trash came into common usage would that fix it? That would mean there are some people in each group that are trash and some that aren't. Right?

There is no term "black trash" because that term is considered redundant by racist white people. Sure, if black trash were as common a term as white trash my argument would become invalid.

[CardiacCoug]

Originally Posted by Indy Coug

I don't buy that for a second.

So "black trash" should be used as commonly as white trash, right? Why doesn't anybody use that term? Because they already consider blacks to be trash.

That's the implicit assumption (granted subconscious) by people who use the term "white trash", in my opinion.

[SoonerCoug]

[Indy Coug]

Originally Posted by CardiacCoug

So "black trash" should be used as commonly as white trash, right? Why doesn't anybody use that term? Because they already consider blacks to be trash.

That's the implicit assumption (granted subconscious) by people who use the term "white trash", in my opinion.

The terms "black" and "white trash" have already been introduced, I see no need to start creating new ones.

"Redneck" is probably also racist, but I find that most rednecks don't take offense to the term and actually relish in their own stereotype.

[il Padrino Ute]

I had no idea that white trash was used to differentiate white miscreants from people of color. In fact, it's never occurred to me that non-whites are trash.

Perhaps I am too politically incorrect.