The Poor White (or Poor Whites of the South for clarity) are an American sociocultural group, of European descent, having origins in the Southern United States and Appalachia. They first emerged as a social caste in the Antebellum South, consisting of white, agrarian, economically disadvantaged laborers or squatters often possessing neither land nor slaves. In contemporary context the term is still used to pertain to their descendants; regardless of present economic status. While similar to other White Americans in ancestry, the Poor White differ notably in regards to their history and culture.
Famous quotes containing the words poor white, poor and/or white:
“It seemed monstrous to our intolerant youth that “poor white folksy” men should have an equal right with gentlemen, born and bred, in deciding who should represent the county in the Legislature and the district in Congress.”
—Marion Harland (1830–1922)
“Hurt a fly!
He would not for the world: he’s pitiful
To flies even. “Sing,” says he, “and tease me still,
If that’s your way, poor insect.””
—Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806–1861)
“Lift my head, help me up,
I am bruised, bone and flesh;
chafe my white hands, my servants....”
—Hilda Doolittle (1886–1961)