There has been a tendency by many people in politics, activist groups, and the media (pardon me if I repeated myself) over the past many years to speak and write derisively about the names "Redneck" and "Cracker". I am damn proud to answer "Here!" when called either or both of these terms.
Let me explain how these two terms came about and why I'm proud to be both. The term "Redneck" came about as a nickname for those who worked hard in the fields during the hot, sunny days and as a result of the sun's rays the backs of their necks were red. People took to calling these hard working folks "Rednecks" when they came to town. So, you see the term represents hard working folks and not the ignorant, racist rubes portrayed by those mentioned above.
As far as the term "Cracker" goes it is the nick name of one from Georgia just as "Sandlapper" is a term for a South Carolinian, and "Tarheel" for North Carolinians as there are for just about every state. Of course, with the mobility of the populace today and the lack of education about regional pride and history this type of knowledge has all but disappear except for a few proud sectionalists. The term "Cracker" goes back to the days of mule drawn wagons when goods from South Georgia were transported by mule and wagon down to Florida. The wagon drivers from Georgia would be cracking the whip over the mules in order to keep them up to pace with the whip making a "cracking" sound through the woods as they went. The folks in Florida would hear the cracking of the whip echoing well before the drivers and their wagons were seen and they would say, "Here comes those Georgia Crackers." That is where the term originated.
So, you can see why I am neither ashamed nor do I shrink in cowardness when either or both of the terms are applied to me. Terms which denote hard workers...of which I am no longer one.
Dee
Proud Redneck and Proud Cracker
