Why is it not considered racist when an African-American calls a Caucasian-American a "cracker"?

[CompSciGuy]

I remember hearing ‘Georgia Crackers,’ when I was growing up in Northern Florida. I don’t know the origin of the term though.

The term “cracker” came from the stereotype of 19th century American history of the white slave owner, who “cracked” the whip over slaves. It’s an extremely offensive term.

 

[LegoGE1947]

Some people don’t mind being called a redneck. They will actually say that they are. Others mind it.

Look at how famous it has made Larry the Cable Guy, Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall, etc

 

[Nimzovik]

Look at how famous it has made Larry the Cable Guy, Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall, etc

Indeed. I have heard people call each other the ‘N’ word too. Methinks this unwise as well. If a supervisor or another employee referred to me as a redneck I would have him/her up in front EOC/AA boards of the company reeeeallllllll quick.

 

[CompSciGuy]

The term “cracker” came from the stereotype of 19th century American history of the white slave owner, who “cracked” the whip over slaves. It’s an extremely offensive term.

 

[Jeanne_S]

B

The term “cracker” came from the stereotype of 19th century American history of the white slave owner, who “cracked” the whip over slaves. It’s an extremely offensive term.

thank you for this insight.I also assumed it was just a snarky reference towards whites and saltines!

 

[Tarpeian_Rock]

Because we live in a society of vast double standards, largely supported by the “mainstream media.”

 

[KendraDZ1902]

Indeed. I have heard people call each other the ‘N’ word too. Methinks this unwise as well. If a supervisor or another employee referred to me as a redneck I would have him/her up in front EOC/AA boards of the company reeeeallllllll quick.

I think that would depend on where you are from. I’m from a small, southern farming town and the majority of white people I know from there are proud to be rednecks. I was one of the odd balls who didn’t like it. I was one of the preppy kids, though. I only did farm work when I was in trouble.

 

[Nimzovik]

The term “cracker” came from the stereotype of 19th century American history of the white slave owner, who “cracked” the whip over slaves. It’s an extremely offensive term.

If this is verified, then it is indeed an insult of the worst stripe. It must be noted too, however that the meanings of terms evolve in the Public Consciousness over time as well.

Take the expression ‘People of Color’ for example. What ever references it conveyed in the past, it has definitely morphed into a far more* political* term today.

Just who,* today,* is a ‘person of color?’ Is an American Indian a person of color? No doubt many would say yes. Is an Asian a person a of color? Certainly yes many would say. A black person is a person of color? Of course many would say. A Hispanic person has color?

Hmmmmmmmmmm… Then we have to ask, do we not? Just who is not a person of color - eh? And. If they are not of color, if they are colorless, then they are …what? **Invisible? **

Sort of creates a mind set of an ‘**all of us vs them,’ the colorless, does it not?

Certainly the** Liberal** Main Stream Media would like us all to think so- yes?

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

Paula Deen got ostracized for an off-the-cuff thoughtless remark. People won’t even forgive her after she has apologized multiple times for it. But when it’s revealed that Trayvon Martin called George Zimmerman a “creepy cracker” just before physically attacking Zimmerman people say something like “oh that’s just a black colloquialism. It shows that he was innocent and sincere. How cute.”. Although Zimmerman is actually considered Hispanic, he was obviously considered the same as white in the eyes of Martin. There’s a sharp double standard.

By the way, I’m half African-American and half Caucasian-American. And I’ve experienced racism from both sides growing up. There is even some racism in my family on the African-American side. I have a few cousins who believe that blacks are superior to whites. I don’t know much about the Caucasian-American side of my family.

I haven’t seen where it was determined who attacked who first. Irregardless, no name is worth attacking another over, or justified.

 

[Nimzovik]

I often found it incredibly amusing that the late** Democrat** Senator Bird was a former Klansman but was given a pass by the Liberal press because he was a Democrat.

 

[LegoGE1947]

I often found it incredibly amusing that the late** Democrat** Senator Bird was a former Klansman but was given a pass by the Liberal press because he was a Democrat.

I’ve never seen a bird that was liberal, Democrat, Republican. Around here the birds use everyone’s cars or other property for “target practice” regardless of a person’s political affiliation! Equal opportunity it is called. The car washes like it!$$$$$

 

[CompSciGuy]

If this is verified, then it is indeed an insult of the worst stripe. It must be noted too, however that the meanings of terms evolve in the Public Consciousness over time as well.

Take the expression ‘People of Color’ for example. What ever references it conveyed in the past, it has definitely morphed into a far more* political* term today.

Just who,* today,* is a person of color? Is an American Indian a person of color? No doubt many would say yes. Is an Asian a person a of color? Certainly yes many would say. A black person is a person of color? Of course many would say. A Hispanic person has color?

Hmmmmmmmmmm… Then we have to ask, do we not? Just who is not a person of color - eh? And. If they are not of color, if they are colorless, then they are …what? **Invisible? **

Sort of creates a mind set of an ‘**all of us vs them,’ the colorless, does it not?

Certainly the** Liberal** Main Stream Media would like us all to think so- yes?

This should confirm it for you:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cracker_%28pejorative%29

I don’t understand the whole “terms morphing over time” thing. The N-word is a kind of southern-accentified version of the term “Negro” which is the Spanish word for “black,” which merely describes the color of the skin. I personally don’t use the word because it is so offensive even though I don’t understand how the etymology of the word is offensive. However if other people are going to apply the term “cracker” to me simply because of the color of my skin and thereby associate me with the injustice of slavery, then I’ve every right to be offended by that and I will let them know right then and there.

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

I often found it incredibly amusing that the late** Democrat** Senator Bird was a former Klansman but was given a pass by the Liberal press because he was a Democrat.

Both parties shared former grand wizard, David Duke. There’s nothing amusing about it though.

 

[LegoGE1947]

This should confirm it for you:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cracker_%28pejorative%29

I don’t understand the whole “terms morphing over time” thing. The N-word is a kind of southern-accentified version of the term “Negro” which is the Spanish word for “black,” which merely describes the color of the skin. I personally don’t use the word because it is so offensive even though I don’t understand how the etymology of the word is offensive. However if other people are going to apply the term “cracker” to me simply because of the color of my skin and thereby associate me with the injustice of slavery, then I’ve every right to be offended by that and I will let them know right then and there.

I have to do a double-take when I pull a black crayon out of the box because next to the word “black” is usually the word “negro” in parentheses.

 

[Nimzovik]

This should confirm it for you:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cracker_%28pejorative%29

I don’t understand the whole “terms morphing over time” thing. The N-word is a kind of southern-accentified version of the term “Negro” which is the Spanish word for “black,” which merely describes the color of the skin. I personally don’t use the word because it is so offensive even though I don’t understand how the etymology of the word is offensive. However if other people are going to apply the term “cracker” to me simply because of the color of my skin and thereby associate me with the injustice of slavery, then I’ve every right to be offended by that and I will let them know right then and there.

Oh dear! Of course language and meanings morph and evolve! You don’t say ’ thee’ and ‘thou’ and ‘furlong’ in common everyday speech - yes?

For more on this google Urban Dictionary.

PS I long ago quit giving credence to Wikipedia. Same with the History Channel - especially after watching some of their shows on the Bible etc.

 

[Nimzovik]

Both parties shared former grand wizard, David Duke. There’s nothing amusing about it though.

Quite correct. The difference is that David Duke was, rightfully so, politically attacked extensively in the Political Arena.

Senator Bird? Meh. Not so much eh?

 

[LegoGE1947]

Oh dear! Of course language and meanings morph and evolve! You don’t say ’ thee’ and ‘thou’ and ‘furlong’ in common everyday speech - yes?

For more on this google Urban Dictionary.

PS I long ago quit giving credence to Wikipedia.

The word “furlong” is still used in the horse racing business.

 

[CompSciGuy]

Oh dear! Of course language and meanings morph and evolve! You don’t say ’ thee’ and ‘thou’ and ‘furlong’ in common everyday speech - yes?

For more on this google Urban Dictionary.

PS I long ago quit giving credence to Wikipedia. Same with the History Channel - especially after watching some of their shows on the Bible etc.

There is a difference between language evolving and the meaning of a term somehow mysteriously becoming more or less offensive over time…

Why do you chuck out Wikipedia altogether? If you look at the bottom of the page they have sources and you can follow them to ensure that the facts check out.

 

[Nimzovik]

There is a difference between language evolving and the meaning of a term somehow mysteriously becoming more or less offensive over time…

Why do you chuck out Wikipedia altogether? If you look at the bottom of the page they have sources and you can follow them to ensure that the facts check out.

Bolding mine:

Oh* yes?* You find that ‘mysterious’ eh? I am afraid I simply must assert that I disagree and let it go at that shall we?

 

[Corki]

Cracker is mildly racist, but it is simply not an equivalent term term to the “N” word.

I think it’s a very close equivalent. If the C word is said by another Southern white person it may not be racist in the same way that African Americans use the N word and it’s not considered racist. But if an African American was using the C word to refer to a Southern white person, that would be highly offensive and equally as racist as the N word.