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‘Cracker’ Means Something Entirely Different In Florida: A Source Of ‘Pride’
mediaite ^ | 6/27 | tommy christopher

Posted on 06/28/2013 6:00:09 AM PDT by RummyChick

At the merciful close of key prosecution witness Rachel Jeantel‘s testimony in the trial of George Zimmerman for the murder of Trayvon Martin, defense attorney Don West asked Ms. Jeantel to describe the “culture” that she said uses the word “cracker” to describe white people. “The area I was raised in?” Jeantel asked, to which West replied “Yes.”

As it turns out, in the area in which Rachel Jeantel was raised, the word “cracker” isn’t a racial slur at all, but rather, a proud nod to the region’s history, and one’s own ancestry.

A whole mess of white people like to get worked up about the word “cracker,” some in the mistaken belief that this will somehow result in permission to use the n-word. Here’s a secret for you: you don’t need permission. This is America, go ahead and say it, and in the process, you’ll find out if “cracker” and the n-word are really the same thing.

Some of that worked-upedness has occurred over Rachel Jeantel’s revelation that Trayvon Martin referred to his eventual killer, George Zimmerman, as a “creepy-ass cracker,” which the Zimmerman defense has tried to capitalize on as a sign of racial animus on Mr. Martin’s part. Jeantel denied that there was anything racial about the comment, which many found strange. The term is, indeed, a somewhat derogatory term for white people. However, in Florida, the word “cracker” is anything but.

Many years ago, during a visit to Orlando’s Gatorland, one of the trainers regaled the group of tourists I was with by explaining the origins of the word “cracker” as a description of Floridians of pre-Civil War ancestry. He explained that Florida cowboys used whips to herd cattle, and to scare away gators, and were called “crackers” because of the sound of their incessant whip-cracking. He also explained that although the term is derogatory in much of the country, in Florida, it’s a source of pride.

In fact, the Wikipedia entry for “Cracker (pejorative)” even notes the distinction:

Cracker, sometimes white cracker or cracka, is a sometimes pejorative expression for white people, especially poor rural whites in the Southern United States. In reference to a native of Florida or Georgia, however, it is sometimes used in a neutral or positive context and is sometimes used self-descriptively with pride.

Now, it is entirely possible that Rachel Jeantel was referring to the common, derogatory use of the word, perhaps even likely, but its also possible that she and/or Trayvon Martin were referring to the non-pejorative use of the word, especially given Jeantel’s insistence that the word isn’t racial, and is region-specific. Don West, who looks like he ought to know the difference, never bothered to ask. It’s possible he just assumed the derogatory meaning, but you’d have to ask him why he would do that, why he would assume that two Florida residents could not have been using a Florida-specific colloquialism.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: obama; zimmerman
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To: livius

The non-pejorative use seems to imply that one is a native-born Floridian.

I doubt that’s what Trayvon Martin meant when he described George Zimmerman as a “creepy-ass cracker.”


141 posted on 06/28/2013 9:55:50 AM PDT by Jeff Winston
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To: Ditto

But there were in fact some black cowboys in Florida at that time, at least one of whom, Lawrence Silas, went on to become a successful rancher.

Men like Lawrence Silas — a famed Cracker cowman from Kissimmee, Fla. — is but one of many whose sweat and blood created better breeds to feed a growing nation. The family history of many like him played out on the prairie of time, the swamps of trial.

142 posted on 06/28/2013 10:10:53 AM PDT by Cooter
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To: lastchance
Sure have. Here in Okeechobee they drive the cattle through the center of town during the parade. Do they do that there?
143 posted on 06/28/2013 10:29:31 AM PDT by liberalh8ter (The only difference between flash mob 'urban yutes' and U.S. politicians is the hoodies.)
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To: liberalh8ter

I’m not sure of the exact route, but I know they end up in downtown Fort Pierce by the Indian River Lagoon. I get to see them because it is always on Saturday and I am there selling soap at the craft market there.


144 posted on 06/28/2013 10:38:49 AM PDT by lastchance ("Nisi credideritis, non intelligetis" St. Augustine)
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To: lastchance
I'm pretty sure the ride that ends in Ft. Pierce originates in Bradenton. A local chapter does the ride in Okeechobee. I love seeing the riders on 441 because there are so many kids with their horses. How lucky!
145 posted on 06/28/2013 10:56:53 AM PDT by liberalh8ter (The only difference between flash mob 'urban yutes' and U.S. politicians is the hoodies.)
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To: liberalh8ter

I love seeing them too. Even though it makes me miss my horse (she had to be put down a few years ago) it does my heart good to see so many riders honoring an important part of Fl history.


146 posted on 06/28/2013 11:00:13 AM PDT by lastchance ("Nisi credideritis, non intelligetis" St. Augustine)
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To: lastchance

I’m sorry about your horse, I had to put one down 3 years ago that I had for 14 years. It’s awful. You didn’t get another?


147 posted on 06/28/2013 11:02:30 AM PDT by liberalh8ter (The only difference between flash mob 'urban yutes' and U.S. politicians is the hoodies.)
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To: RummyChick

I do believe it was rattlesnakes that the cattle drivers scared away with their whips as I doubt any self respecting gator would venture close to a herd of cattle, horses and riders.


148 posted on 06/28/2013 11:03:38 AM PDT by lastchance ("Nisi credideritis, non intelligetis" St. Augustine)
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To: RummyChick

Tommy Christopher = idiot

149 posted on 06/28/2013 11:05:36 AM PDT by kcvl
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To: liberalh8ter

No, major change in health and budget slopped that option. I need to go see the stables where I used to keep her and get a dose of horse time; some of the best medicine for the soul I know.


150 posted on 06/28/2013 11:07:33 AM PDT by lastchance ("Nisi credideritis, non intelligetis" St. Augustine)
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To: liberalh8ter

PS, thanks for your kind words.


151 posted on 06/28/2013 11:10:10 AM PDT by lastchance ("Nisi credideritis, non intelligetis" St. Augustine)
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To: RummyChick

iWannaBAhBILLIONAIRE @Pretty__Vette

Trayvon Martin need justice ! Gimme me tha pistol ill kill Zimmerman myself!

4:26 PM - 26 Jun 2013

******

@ZackSlaterExe

If they don’t kill Zimmerman Ima kill me a cracka

5:54 PM - 26 Jun 2013

******

Vonni Versace @Dat_Nigga_Vonni

If #Zimmerman get off ima shoot the first #hispanic/white i see

8:33 AM - 27 Jun 2013

http://twitchy.com/2013/06/27/ima-kill-me-a-cracka-death-threats-against-george-zimmerman-random-white-people-explode-during-trial/


152 posted on 06/28/2013 11:25:22 AM PDT by kcvl
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To: lastchance
I'm sorry to hear that. If you have a source for your horse fix, by all means, partake because you're right, they're good for the soul and do wonders for the mind.

No need to thank me....and If I get to the Ft. pierce End of the Cracker Trail ride, I'll look for your booth!

153 posted on 06/28/2013 11:29:29 AM PDT by liberalh8ter (The only difference between flash mob 'urban yutes' and U.S. politicians is the hoodies.)
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To: RummyChick

wikipedia says in florida it’s a positive term.

which prosecution lawyer got in and edited the wiki entry?


154 posted on 06/28/2013 12:11:57 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; Not averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: Jeff Winston

Not only Florida-born, but Florida- (or South Georgia-) born for several generations and from a rural or small town environment. I doubt that either Trayvon or his lovely lady even knew that meaning of the word!


155 posted on 06/28/2013 1:44:07 PM PDT by livius
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To: Ditto

No, and I actually think when blacks use the term they mean it in a derogatory manner. The white farmers say it about themselves in a pride kind of way or so I have noticed.

I am actually an admitted racist and proud of it ;)


156 posted on 06/28/2013 4:45:54 PM PDT by seeker41
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To: Ditto

Yes, black who are crackers are sometimes referred to as crackers.
http://florida-agriculture.com/kids/education/butler/painting_crackercowman.html

There is nothing shameful about being a Florida cracker. That is not the same thing as a creepy ass cracker.

Niggardly is not the same thing as nigger.

There is nothing racist about calling a raccoon a coon.


157 posted on 06/29/2013 10:52:37 AM PDT by BykrBayb (Somewhere, my flower is there. ~ Þ)
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To: Kozak

How the author cannot see that parallel is beyond me, that jumped out to me as well. We have a huge cohort of people unable to do the slightest bit of independent critical thinking.


158 posted on 06/29/2013 10:56:40 AM PDT by FreedomPoster (Islam delenda est)
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To: BykrBayb
Yes, black who are crackers are sometimes referred to as crackers.

Really? Down in Miami where Trevon's girl friend lives?

Kind of doubt that my friend. Ain't no cowboys there and to her and Travon who had no idea where the word Cracker came from, it only meant one thing.

159 posted on 06/29/2013 8:07:15 PM PDT by Ditto
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To: Ditto

My answer was to the question that was asked. I provided a link to support the truthfulness of the answer. It’s rather disingenuous to change the question after the answer has been given.


160 posted on 06/29/2013 8:12:09 PM PDT by BykrBayb (Somewhere, my flower is there. ~ Þ)
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