"White Trash" are a complex mix of both genetics and cultural upbringing.
To start with, genetically, the largest part are Scots-Irish and English, mixed with German and Native American. In Louisiana and environs, there is a healthy dollop of French. And in the border States, some recent Mexican. Other interbreeding is much less common. As diverse as it sounds, it is actually fairly heterogeneous, as WT tend to breed with other WT.
Cultural upbringing is a lot more complex, but as a rule, education is downplayed and reproduction is done starting very young. Low self-esteem is less a problem than low expectations. There is also low prosperity consciousness, and money or goods beyond that point are usually wasted.
WTs are actually uncomfortable out of their environment. They cannot enjoy themselves as much living in suburbia or the city as in a trailer park, because it is just not their motif. Trailer parks are less an expression of economy than community, and today, many are as expensive as brick and wood houses. They also feel strong "tribal" instincts, (their word, not mine), and prefer to associate with their own kind.
There is actually a lot to appreciate in their lifestyle, but in a way their life has more freedom, if lowered expectations.
Interesting. I will say I have yet to meet a "WT" as you call them, with Italian or Nordic ancestry.
White Trash is the last socially acceptable racist slur. Of course calling someone that would not be accepted either and would probably result in a bloody fight.
I enjoyed your post. Would you say that "white trash" is similar to "redneck," but more derogatory? I know people who are proud to be rednecks.
Careful, you're on the verge of being offensive.
Most of my inlaws are Baptist, Mississippi hillbillies. They have their heads screwed on pretty straight and their priorities pretty much in order. Plus, they play a mean game of washers.
I have a lot more fun visiting them than other, more prosperous, and sophisticated parts of my family. I love the bobos in my family; but their priorities are way off.
I'll put it this way. If I had to choose someone to take care of my boy if something happened to my wife and me, it would be one of the hillbillies. People might call him white trash. But he'd get over that. What he might not get over is growing up thinking that the pursuit of money, curb-appeal, and power is more important that his relationship with his Savior.