Date:  Thu, 25 Aug 1994 09:37:32 EDT

From:  Al Futrell <AWFUTR01[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]ULKYVM.LOUISVILLE.EDU>

Subject: Re: ADS-L Digest - 23 Aug 1994 to 24 Aug 1994



>From:  Judith Rascoe <boise[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]WELL.SF.CA.US>

>"Racist term" seems like a useful phrase, defined as an insulting epithet

>used by a member of one race or ethnic group to refer disparagingly to a

>member of another group. In this sense I guess "poor white trash" is only a

>'racist term' when the speaker is non-white. But I also agree that the

>PWT is not racist per se since it is also often used by high-status

>whites talking about low-status whites.



I think Judith is right on target here. Consider the use of "nigger."

Usually, it is not considered racist when used by one African-American

speaking to or about another African-American. When used by a someone

from another race, however, the term is generally interpreted as a

racist slur.