Alexander Gilchrist <
[email protected]> wrote in message news:<
[email protected]>...
> Pat wrote:
> >
>
> > It seems to me the difference is that someone does not chose to be a black or Hispanic. If you
> > are taking exception to some idea that the posters mean ALL people who live in mobile homes are
> > "trailer trash", I don't believe anyone has said that. Therefore, the idea comes from you,
> > Alexander, not them. They were talking about people who behave in an unsavory way by choice, and
> > if that is "social stereotyping", then it merely a comment on some people's way of life, not an
> > inherent condition of birth. Surely, you can see the difference.
> >
> > Pat in Texas
>
> Oh, I see. So that makes it OK to ridicule and insult those people since they not of a minority
> race, only of a lower socio-economic "order," that "chooses" to live in poverty.
>
> Question: since there seem to be a number of people posting that appear to be somewhat judgemental
> about the "trailer trash," (of itself and in their use generalizing and making a fairly blanket
> statement, rather condemnatory), I wonder how many of these people have ever lived in a mobile
> home park and gotten to know any of those whom they put down and to whom they apparently feel so
> superior. I have, and I can speak from experience that thepeople living in the mobile home parks
> are as a whole (just as much a whole as those of other races) a pretty kind and considerate bunch,
> who in my experience, are very helpful to others, particularly to those who are down and out or
> have other problems. Of course there are some who have trashy ways and attitudes, just as there
> are those of other races who have similar attitudes and ways. My point was that ridiculing these
> with a broad brush is, or should be, as offensive as racial stereotyping. The statement of another
> poster that no one can change the color of his skin, but he can move out of a "trailer" park is
> totally unrealistic and shows little or no understanding of these people or their situations.
> Rather like Marie Antoinette's attitude of "Let them eat cake." They are generally in a situation
> that doesn't allow that option - usually poverty, often both poverty and ill-health.
Well, since I made those statements................
I lived for 8 years in a 12x40' trailer. 5 of us in our family. We were pretty poor. We didn't have
junk cars out front. We didn't have major appliances in our yard. We bathed and brushed our teeth.
We weren't trailer trash, we simply lived in a trailer. However, we were surrounded by trailer
trash. They didn't have any more money than we did, but they would rather spend it on beer and
cigarettes. Collect non-running cars. Constantly get their utilities disconnected because they put
pleasure before responsibilty.
Trailer trash doesn't encompass all who live in trailers as you seem to take it. It's one thing to
be poor and deal with the hand you were dealt, it's another to be a lazy, welfare collecting,
dirtbag. Yup, I have a problem with the latter. This town I live in is full of them. They line up
every year for the free toy give aways at Christmas. The same people year after year after year.
Standing in line smoking their cigs and hollering at their unwanted children. Taking their food
stamps and instead of buying some basic food to stretch things out, they get what's called the
"welfare lunch special", a hoagie and a 24oz bottle of Mountain Dew. I could go on and on about
their lifestyles, but you get my point.
> Indeed, no one has specifically stated that "All people who live in mobile homes are 'trailer
> trash,'" but it certainly was implied, as you will see if you re-read the postings with an open
> mind and a sensitive awareness of other's feelings. Therefore the statement that the idea must
> come from me is based upon faulty logic.
It's coming from somewhere.
> BTW, I have no idea where most of the posters of this thread dwell, but here in SC, the
> restrictions and requirements under the laws do not permit any such appliances or junk cars to be
> on the premises, or even on private property. YMMV in other parts of the country.
I'm in central Pa.
I doubt the junk laws encompass the entire state of SC as most of these laws and the enforcment of
such laws fall on the local level. As a former truck driver (now there's a stereotype!) I do recall
places in SC that look the part of trailer trash. The band "Trailer Park Trash" is from Greenville.
http://www.tptrash.com/ Man, that trashy woman is HOT!
