'WASP' is the only ethnic term that is in fact a term of class, apart from redneck, which is another word for the same group but who are in the lower social strata, so it's inexplicably tied up with social standing and culture and history in a way that the other hyphenations just are not.

Summary

This quote highlights how the term "WASP" (White Anglo-Saxon Protestant) is unique among ethnic terms because it also reflects social class. Similarly, "redneck" refers to a similar group but implies a lower social status. The quote suggests that these terms are intertwined with social standing, culture, and historical contexts, unlike other hyphenated ethnic labels that do not carry the same associations. Essentially, it emphasizes that "WASP" and "redneck" have deeper connotations, encompassing more than just a specific heritage or ethnicity.