Is the word “ hillbilly” a derogatory term to you?

[Blacksnake285]

[Skinhead-1979]

I am wondering about how people feel, who belong to the demography being referred to, with such labels; We are being told by society that we are not allowed to use 'derogatory' terms, but do they really care?

Truth be said I don't care what people think when I tell them I am Skinhead; sure, I'll try to inform people that we are not the Racists Cunts society and the media have portrait us to be for decades. I am fully aware that we have a very dark history because there have been some very nasty people who dressed like us and claimed to be Skinhead... but most of us are not scumbags.

Mind you; I am fully aware that the Skinhead scene is completely different in the US than how it is here in the UK. The American scene is way more violent and it's being taken way to serious:

Need to have been raised in a Skinhead City; need to earn 'your colours' by fighting Neo-Nazis; high visibility with symbolism, colours and handshakes... Similar to Rap Gangs, though most of the Skinheads are not criminals.

[Blacksnake285]

What does the term skinhead mean? Is it just a man who’s bald or does it mean you’re bald and am actually a nazi?

[Skinhead-1979]

"In the earlier stages of the movement, a considerable overlap existed between early skinhead subculture, mod subculture, and the rude boy subculture found among Jamaican British and Jamaican immigrant youth, as these three groups interacted and fraternized with each other within the same working class and poor neighbourhoods in Britain. As skinheads adopted elements of mod subculture and Jamaican British and Jamaican immigrant rude boy subculture, both first and second generation skins were influenced by the rhythms of Jamaican music genres such as ska, rocksteady, and reggae, as well as sometimes African-American soul and rhythm and blues"

[Skinhead-1979]

A Skinhead is someone who has a bald or closely shaved head

Wears Jeans (often Levi 501), with the bottom leg parts rolled up. an Inch, or something, is being cited and that it needs to be stitched in, but that's rubbish. Just roll them up. The reason for that is to show off your boots.

Boots (really doesn't have to be Dr Martens)

Braces (Suspenders is the American-English word for them)

Polo Shirt or Buttoned down shirts with top button undone

Bomber Jacket, Harrington Jacket or Crombie

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Music Styles:

Generally it's either: Ska, Reggae and Soul... Though later waves' listen more to Punk Rock, Oi! and American 'Hardcore'.

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No political affiliation; though because Skinheads are often Working Class most are Left-Wing.

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It's just groups of friends dressing the same and listening to the same music; your only loyalty is to your friends and family. Skinheads are Anti-Authoritarian.

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[Skinhead-1979]

Towards the end of the 1960 Racism entered UK politics through politicians like Enoch Powell (His 'Rivers of Blood' Speech had quite some effect). Another big wave of Indian and Pakistani people immigrated to the UK during a time that British people were struggling too. The Indian and Pakistani people were being attacked by the British Youth: Black and White. Yes, people from the 'West-Indies' joined in with the 'Paki Bashing', but due to British society sliding into the Far-Right and the Anti-Immigrant rhetoric, the West-Indies Skinheads also became a target of the White, Racist Nationalist. Non-Racist Skinheads stepped away from the scene, they did not want to be associated with the Far-Right, so that's why... combined with many 'documentaries' about Racist 'Skinheads' like a Nicky Crane that people were left with the impression that Skinhead = Neo Nazi.

Skinhead came to the US late 1970s, early 1980s, and it was really only the Racist kind. Some Americans knew the origins of Skinhead and came up with S. H. A. R. P (=SkinHead Against Racial Prejudice) to distinguish Anti-Racist Skinheads from the, what are now called, 'Boneheads'. S. H. A. R. P was being brought to the UK by an Oi! music vocalist called Roddy Moreno; since then we have worked hard to reclaim our subculture and clear it from Neo-Nazis.

We don't fight them; as American Skinheads seem to think, we are not 'Nazi Hunters'... but we have made very clear that we do not accept them and that they can fuck off. We don't have much issues with Boneheads here in the UK, but from what I can gather from some of my Skinhead brothers in the US, it is still pretty bad there.

[patois]

A Billy or Billie is a brother in arms. It's a term of endearment to denote they are a good guy. Hill is just in reference to them coming from the Appalachian Piedmont/Mountains... City aristocrats from New York looked down on regular people that worked for a living, so they tried to give it a negative connotation. So if it is derogatory all depends on which culture you belong to. Are you a regular person, that wants a hard working good guy that can shoot a rifle and have your back as a friend, or are you a 5th avenue communist snob that thinks they are "elite" and all the people beneath them are just cattle...

[Enginn]

Yes, the term "hillbilly" is often considered derogatory. It is typically used to stereotype and demean people from rural, often Appalachian, regions of the United States. The term can perpetuate negative stereotypes about their lifestyle, education, and social status. While some individuals may reclaim the term in a more positive or humorous context, it generally carries a negative connotation and can be offensive to many. It's important to be mindful of the language we use and its potential impact on others.

[Fireguy17]

no, but I was raised in a time where terms like that were used everyday.
Even the tv series the beverly hillbillies used that term

[Blacksnake285]

Have you ever been called that word?

[Fireguy17]

No, I never lived in the south nor up in the mountains which is where the term originated.
I am more of a flat land ranch hand.

[adventurous-1]

it is, as I take its meaning to be derogatory and demeaning, indicating a person of questionable ethics and IQ.

[handsomelad70]

Probably, though Trump's boy-excuse me, running mate JD (" Joke, Dumba**") Vance wrote a book titled "Hillbilly Elegy" about the white underclass.

[DrPepper12]

No. Neither is "hick" or "bumpkin". If the shoe fits... Lookin at you JD Vance!!

[Iron_Man]

Not really It’s kind of a comical teasing comment

[CubaPirate]

Nope but I see why it can be interpretated that way

[4ngelic]

not always but usually yea

[Blacksnake285]

Haha 😆

[Dargil]

Nope. They live all around me.

[ProbablyClueless]

Yeah. But I'm also a hillbilly, so I'm biased

[exitseven]

not to me because i am a city kid.

[Dongie]

Nope. But, I'm not a hillbilly.

[noohair]

Not for me but for others, yes.

[Guacamole409]

Yes it is.

[Pterodon]

No not really