Article on eugenics and the etymology of "white trash"
Random pet peeve of the day: The acronym FAQ spelled as "FAQ's". I mean. WHY. Even if one insists on the plural "s" (which I personally think is ridiculous), why must there be a frickin' apostrophe?? It's not a possessive!
seperis saw a link to this article on sinsense's journal. The etymology of "white trash":
That Ain't White by Matt Ray (American Sexuality Magazine)
"Whether they use the term white trash or not, most Americans are unaware of its long and ugly history. If you had to guess, you’d probably say that the term arose in the Deep South, sometime in the middle of last century, as a term that whites coined to demean other whites less fortunate than themselves. Yet most of what we presuppose about the term is wrong.
"The term white trash dates back not to the 1950s but to the 1820s. It arises not in Mississippi or Alabama, but in and around Baltimore, Maryland. And best guess is that it was invented not by whites, but by African Americans."
The article goes on to talk about eugenics in early 20th century United States, and the forced sterilisation laws that still exist today. Fascinating history on how society looks on poor rural whites. And Paris Hilton. Kind of scary how misogyny, racism, and classism get all mixed up.
*uses Faith icon*
seperis saw a link to this article on sinsense's journal. The etymology of "white trash":
That Ain't White by Matt Ray (American Sexuality Magazine)
"Whether they use the term white trash or not, most Americans are unaware of its long and ugly history. If you had to guess, you’d probably say that the term arose in the Deep South, sometime in the middle of last century, as a term that whites coined to demean other whites less fortunate than themselves. Yet most of what we presuppose about the term is wrong.
"The term white trash dates back not to the 1950s but to the 1820s. It arises not in Mississippi or Alabama, but in and around Baltimore, Maryland. And best guess is that it was invented not by whites, but by African Americans."
The article goes on to talk about eugenics in early 20th century United States, and the forced sterilisation laws that still exist today. Fascinating history on how society looks on poor rural whites. And Paris Hilton. Kind of scary how misogyny, racism, and classism get all mixed up.
*uses Faith icon*