"Mmmmmm mmmmm...Goooood cracker."
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.
An ‘honor slur’.
And nigger is a word of pride among blacks so I guess we can take that one off the shelf again right?
Love how they cite Wikipedia as authoritative. Should we really go back into the article’s edit history for that one?
Sheesh. Context people, context.
You beat me to it.
Given the frequency the “Rap Artist” will throw “Nigger” out, and how black people will refer to each other - why, it’s actually a term of ENDEARMENT.
To: Old Yeller
Today there will be an avalanche of articles from leftist journalists telling whites why they shouldn’t consider ‘cracker’ offensive and accusing anyone who does of racism.
5 posted on June 28, 2013 5:58:54 AM PDT by skeeter
Well, living in Florida, I can say that’s true, but she sure didn’t mean it as a compliment. When a black person calls somebody a cracker here in Florida, they’re not referring to cowboys.
Heck, I thought Zimmerman was a beaner anyway, and not even a crackah.
Just like the N word is used constantly in her culture as a source of pride, right? and referring to women as hoes and b*tches...so free game, folks, just call ‘em what they call themselves.
Paula Deen was referring to ‘em honorably.
And unborn babies in the womb are mere tissue.
some great tweets in response
http://twitchy.com/2013/06/27/tommy-christopher-cracker-is-a-compliment-you-guys/
Yep, I reside in central Floriduh and the term “cracker” is used here to identify a native Floridian. Evolved from the ranchers who used whips to corral their livestock. It was their expertise using a whip that made the cracking sound. Many farmers I know descipe themselves as “crackers” and proudly I might add.
lmfao, is this guy kidding?
CONTEXT MEANS EVERYTHING!!!!
I’m sure when young Obama’s scumspawn numero 3 said creepy ass cracker, he meant, proud white man gonna whip me.
Well you got whipped buddy, and it’s your own damned fault. I’m sure the pistol made a nice “cracking” sound.
Maybe this definition is TRUE!!!!
Zimmerman - PROUD WHITE/LATINO MAN CRACKING THE WHIP ON THE GATOR TRAYVON WHO WAS OUT TO ROB INNOCENT PEOPLE AND BASH HEADS ON CONCRETE.
Zimmerman THE CRACKER!!!!
Only if you don't have a home cooking show to lose.
I swear the whole country has jumped its axis.
*
"Mmmmmm mmmmm...Goooood cracker."
Oh yeah, the non-pejorative, even complimentary meaning goes right along with the preceding “creepy-ass”. So her meaning was something like “creepy-ass upstanding Florida gentleman”. Makes perfect sense. /sarc
Does Paula Deen know about this?
Yeah, right.
Seems to me like if the blacks can claim the N-word is OK within the club, but a racial pejorative if used by someone outside, they ought to understand that it works the other way, too.
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