featherwood

n. a female member of an organized white racist gang, or a white woman who has a relationship with a man who is a member of such a gang. Subjects: English, Crime & Prisons, Race, Slang

Editorial Note: The male equivalent is peckerwood.

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Citations: 1997 [SaTxLover] Usenet: alt.prisons (Jan. 9) “Re: Prison Slang: What is Featherwood??”: Featherwood is slang for a white racist girl. 1997 Jeanie Borba, Robert Rodriguez Fresno Bee (California) (Apr. 1) “White gangs create atmosphere of fear at Buchanan” p. A1: A small group of boys calling themselves the Peckerwoods and girls known as the Featherwoods are at least partly responsible for the trouble at Buchanan. 1997 Dennis McCarthy, Brent Hunsberger Portland Oregonian (Apr. 2) “Police Arrest Skinheads In Racial Brawl” p. D01: Maddox wore the word “Featherwood” tattooed on her wrist, a marking authorities say is associated with Skinhead activity, and sported a buzz hair cut with long, reddish-brown bangs hanging in front. 1998 William Finnegan Cold New World p. 293: Angela would tear herself away from the TV and finish opening the can, declaring herself “a skin bitch, a Featherwood.” 1998 Barbara Ann Owen In the Mix: Struggle and Survival in a Women’s Prison (Feb.) p. 156: “It’s no different than you guys [who] got the Crips and the Bloods, the ‘cuz’ and all that, and the Mexicans have the Southern and the Northern. So we have the peckerwoods and the featherwoods."…It is a touchy subject. Especially when you got two or three blacks in your room.…The others ones weren’t tripping on it—just her. Just her, because she is prejudiced. 2003 Tom Martin Behind Prison Walls (Mar.) p. 160: A distinct term, refering to white male offenders who emphasize a “hick” attitude. Although generally racist, it is not their focus, and they get along with other offenders better than the skinheads.…A female version is a featherwood. 2007 Elizabeth Fitch @ Monroe Shreveport Times (Louisiana) (Aug. 14) “Suspect had possible ties to supremacist prison gang”: Though Smith’s link to the Aryan Circle is unclear, white supremacist women are often referred to as “featherwoods.” Smith goes by the nickname “Little Feather.”

Posted 15 Aug 07 | Permalink | Tell a Friend

Reader comments:

Why does it always have to be gang activity when a group of people have something in common? And that being the case, why isn’t anyone going after republicans?

by FlyLilFeather 27 Oct 07, 1032 GMT

What does going after rupblicans have to do with anything, the message is clearly about gangs, not politics.

by Tabatha 01 Aug 08, 0859 GMT

what’s funny is i knew someone who was a peckerwood and featherwood and they were actualy really nice. they had black friends and what not its just they have certain beliefs on things. kinda of like “before the war” views as people say down here but whatever i don’t hate on them they do thier thing and if its anything illegal or bad they havent shown it.

by rose 13 Aug 08, 1202 GMT

I have the word FEATHERWOOD tattoo across the top of my back .I know many people in the organization however I am not a member. I just hold certain beliefs. I am have black friends and friends of all colors. Just because you have certain beliefs does not make you a gang member or a person of hate.

by ANN 05 Sep 08, 0242 GMT

I’m a down featherwood proud of my race. people need to learn to stick to their own. much love to all you down whiteboys [16-23]

by stacie 07 Sep 08, 0809 GMT

Im a featherwood till the day that I die im not affiliated myself but so many of my people are my old man is a peckerwood im loud and proud of my color and who i am u gotta stick with yours get in where you fit in…..birds of a feather flock together…

by Sweets 23 Sep 08, 0304 GMT