field nigger, n. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

field nigger n.

[SAmE field negro/nigger, a black slave who worked in the fields; slavery distinguished between the rougher, less refined field workers and those who worked as ‘house’ servants]

1. (W.I.) a term of abuse for a deferential black, who curries favour with whites [this use is a paradox, or an erroneous sense, since the usu. meanings are senses 2 and 3].

1996

Allsopp Dict. Carib. Eng. Usage.

2. (US black) working-class, street blacks, as opposed to black bourgeoisie.

1970		B. Seale Seize the Time 41: I don’t think Kenny Freeman liked us field niggers too much.
1983		I.L. Allen Lang. of Ethnic Conflict 48: Occupational Stereotypes: field-hand [19th century or earlier. Also field-nigger].
2002		‘Touré’ Portable Promised Land (ms.) 151: We Words (My Favorite Things) [...] House negro. Field nigga. Hood rat. Rude bwoy. Ghetto Celeb. Big Willie.

3. (US black) blacks from the rural, Southern states rather than the Northern cities.

1992

J. Mowry Way Past Cool 112: Hittin em after school today just maybe snapped his little mind. if them cocksuckin field niggers done it right!