Riley Green was recently asked, “is being called a redneck an insult?” And Riley said, “I don’t think so. It’s like anything else, it kinda depends on how you mean it.”
Which is true, if someone’s mean to you, you don’t want to hear them calling you a redneck. Now if they’re talking about how hard you work, then it’s a bit of a compliment. Because to Riley, that word simply means someone who spends their time outdoors. That’s how he was raised in Jacksonville, Alabama.
Quick history lesson on the word “redneck” here. The term “redneck” itself originated from a few different sources according to a little research. Most notably it came from the sunburned necks of poor white laborers and the red bandanas worn by West Virginia coal miners who were fighting for labor rights. It was also used as an insult for rebellious Scottish Covenanters in the 1600s who wore red cloth around their necks.
To be honest. I agree with Riley and he nailed it. I don’t consider hard working people being called “rednecks” is an insult. It’s more of a compliment to me too.
He went on to say, “there’s probably nicer terms…but for me, redneck was just somebody that grew up out in the country.”
He added that in his tiny hometown, his family used to tease him for being the, “city boy”…since Jacksonville had a Walmart and a Waffle House.
He said, “so, we were big time.”