I was offended on my own behalf. I grew up in a rural, Southern area where I only ever heard 'hick' used by outsiders as a slur against locals. Certainly I have

I was offended on my own behalf. I grew up in a rural, Southern area where I only ever heard 'hick' used by outsiders as a slur against locals. Certainly I have also seen rural people "reclaim" the term, but that doesn't give outsiders the right to use it. I also find the insinuation that I should have threatened violence patronizing and prejudiced. The parent comment also included an example of how I "should" talk to sound more "authentic". Textbook prejudice.