What's so Wrong with Rednecks?

Seems like everywhere you turn nowadays, there's some derogatory comment, joke or statement being made about rednecks. One person makes a bad crack about the lack of intelligence rednecks seem to display, and before you know it everyone around them is joining in on the ridicule. While it may be funny to some, it can be highly offensive to others.

First off, just what is a redneck? Merriam Webster defines redneck as a white member of the Southern rural laboring class. However, the more liberal definition of redneck often includes ignorance, laziness, inbreeding and an all-around lack of class and refinement. It's not just Southern laborers who get this label slapped upon them though. Any person who drives a pickup, lives in a mobile home, watches NASCAR, drinks beer, has bad teeth, or talks with an accent can also be pigeonholed into the redneck crowd, which is not the case.

If you actually stop and take a look at the way supposed "rednecks" live, it's a far cry from the stressful, hurried, rushed life of most middle to upper class Americans. Driving Hummers, texting, standing in line to buy the newest piece of technological junk, and spending hours a day commuting to a job they despise is what most people consider "living the dream" nowadays. Keeping up with the Joneses (or whomever the hip, well-to-do family is these days) seems to be at the top of the list for so many people, and life flies by without a second thought.