Why is the word 'SQUAW' so offensive today?

[JOHNNY RAMIREZ]

SPIRIT OF INTENT

Why is the word “squaw” so offensive today?

First of all, it is believed by many that it is not any Indigenous word from any of the people that occupied the American soil, in other words it is not an Indian word. It was more than likely a word created by European colonists, before it became the United States of America, who could not pronounce the native Algonquian word for 'woman.' In the Algonquian native languages, the word for woman includes a “SKW” sound to it. It would only be a guess as to where the Europeans originally tried to use their pidgin, (European-Cree), translated word, “squaw” to refer to a native woman. Be it a woman at first, or next a prostitute, or an angina later on!

Since that time, the word has been used to demean women in general, also used as a racist and sexually abusive way, and so it definitely has those derogatory meaning attached to the word then and now days. Just as there are words used in our vocabulary to demean other races and religious group of people, and you know those words, so I don’t have to spell them out for you.

Among my people the word for a woman is ‘Isdza’n’ and so the word ‘squaw’ should not even be found in your conversation with Native Americans, especially with an Apache. Nor should it be found in literature that are written today in describing a Native American woman. So with that said, the word “squaw” should have been retired from public useage long ago and have vanished from usage in todays vocabualry.

And remember, if someone uses it around you in a conversation, tell them politely that it is not even an Indian word and no Indians ever uses it among themselves or in conversation with a non-Indian.

[JOHNNY RAMIREZ]

Gayle,

I met no disrepect to you or your family, only to help educate people who want to be educated about native Americans. As a child, you didn't know this, and I am sure by what you wrote, you still weren't aware of all the ramification tied to the word.

And if you read it correctly, I pointed out that if the word was used in conversation to refer to a Native American woman, it was wrong.

What was done was done, and it can't be undone, as in names of places, they are here, and they are places, and not people.

History will point it out that terms for women has a tendency to degrade with time, while mens remain the same or go up in status.

I didn't want to go here, but let me show you what I mean by giving you some examples;

King Queen
Earl Dame
Sir Madam
Mister Mistress

Then there are the baby terms and animal terms that go like this;

dog bitch
pussy
rooster chick
babe
baby

I don't believe I nned to go one with this, because I belive I got the point out there for you.

Your parents and you are to be commended for you up bringing.

And I said in the one before, it is the intent of the persons heart. And now that you have been educated with more knowledge, you have moved into the realm of wisdom.

Thank you for your comments. I always appreciate them.

Johnny

[JOHNNY RAMIREZ]

Gayle,

I am sorry but I forgot to mention, that just because you were taught in school, it doesn't always make it so! Public schools are known for giving out wrong concepts, ideas, and historical truths, it is ours to make corrections, and I am doing that, as a Native American. Read the writing....there is no Native American language that has squaw in it. And I am sorry, but the school is wrong, and it is passing wrong information on to the students.

Keep on learning my friend, as life is a school in and of it self, as each day we behold different scenes, and each day has a lesson to teach us all. We are all meant to be students and learn the lesson by concentrating on the supreme purpose of human existence to know Who is behind our life.

Johnny

[JOHNNY RAMIREZ]

Reb,

Not all evidently! Words also have power, and power is control. So it can't be brush off with, a word is a word. If so, then why is a single word dealing with a race, fighting words to them?

Where did you read that some of the Algonquin words are Arabic? Which Arabic group? There are more than one group, and don't say, Iran, Iraq or Afghanistan to name a couple.

Yes I have heard of Carthage, as I am a historical buff. And because the schools don't teach about it, as they don't teach geography, it some how is related to 'Billy Jack' which was a Hollywood movie.

I've been around a long time, my friend! I saw Queen Elisabeth accend Englands throne, and as an educational system viewing that, and it had no bearing on me, it was still an important event to remember. White tea...L'Shana Tova....78 this year

I understood this was a place where one could expand their mind, be educated while being educated, as well as enjoy voicing thoughts, theories, ideas, concepts, stories without it being take personally. Then, maybe I was informed!

If so, then, maybe me and mine need to move along where Native Americans can express theirs.

Though it is JUST a word, it sure has had a profound effect on at least two of you all. And I can't take it back, it is there in black and white. No one is required to read it, as it is not on any test, and it isn't a school requirement, so moving on.

Reb, interesting comment, that is for sure. From those of us, who are interested in expressing our freedom of thought and freedom of the press, we thank you.

Johnny

[JOHNNY RAMIREZ]

Reb,

I wasn't looking any sympathetic response and I am not worried. As you said it is word, and I threw it out there as a point of discussion for those who wish to discuss it. It looks as if it did have some takers on the word. At least I know the 'Spirit Intent' dealing with the word, otherwise there would have been silence for this blog, if it was so much of a 'who cares' word.

So, I guess I will move along, as this communcations has come to a place of, agree to disagree.

Your views were read and all of it was noted, now it is time to kick and brush the dust off and move on.

Johnny

[JOHNNY RAMIREZ]

Gayle,

I understood from the get go, that you never heard the word used to demean way to hurt another person. And I understand that you have a kind heart and you apporached this with a good 'Spirit of Intent,' which is the lead-in to the piece, followed by the title, then the work.

I do appreachate you comments, and I am not offened in anyway, it was put out there for discussion, which we have, and we know where each one of us stand, we are good with it.

Thank you for your comments Gayle, I do appreciate them and hopefully we will have more as time goes on.

Johnny

[JOHNNY RAMIREZ]

Jeff,

Every week I am going to post something to help educate anyone who wants to know more about Amerindians.

The 'SKW' is in the work of the Algonkin and Cree peoples language, and it also happens to be with in the word for woman, just like the Polishs people have 'SKY' in almost all of their last names. Example a friend of mine is Ponosky and another is Zanaisky, the same as in the Polish last name, it was in the Algonkin word for women. The 'SKW' didn't have the nefative over tones, it was the word 'Squaw' that over time began to have negative over tones. There are different theories as to how it did, but know one really knows for sure, but it did.

I thank you for the spirit of your intent, and I am always here to try and helpwhere ever I can. I hope I clear up any misunderstanding about the whole word. Next week will be on linguistics, or the study of language. I only I write what I over hear in my little world where I live or what someone has written. And Linguistics came up, as to Arabic and Alngonkin have connection with the language.

My wife has taught at different Universities all over Southern California, and I've sat in on her class. She teaches English, Linguistics, Grammar and Communication, and she respected because of her knowledge and her presentation. So, I've got a built in resource as well as what I learn from attending the University of South Dakota.

Again Jeff, thank you for your comments.

Johnny

[JOHNNY RAMIREZ]

No, there are no Ameridian words that comes close to 'squaw.' If by chance you run into a Native American word that comes close, please let me know. Mowhalks to my knowledge, don't have that word, but yes, a Amerindians have a word for bad....what ever is bad, not 'squaw.' But as I said, the Europeans did have a pigeon language they used to communicate with the Native Americans around them. So, no! But I am always open to any documented information that you might run into to show me different.

Thanks for your comments and question, I like them when ones spirit of intent is in the right place, it is a sigh of a good heart.

Johnny

[Terry Boniface (Malpaso)]

Until a couple of years ago i used the word squaw to discribe an American indian woman, that what i thought it ment, and only that. I was speaking to a girl here in the UK that corrected me for using the squaw word , and told me why i shouldnt use it. i cant say that i am completely cured of using it, but now i think about it when i do. One of the reasons that i am on this site is to learn from other peoples Knowledge, i learn somethong every day thank you all for your posts

[Stephen Lodge]

If one is writing an historical novel that includes American Indians, I would assume the word, "Squaw," if spoken by a white person, would be correct.

[JOHNNY RAMIREZ]

Stephen,

I would say that it depense on the context of the novel. Hopefully when talking about a certain group, one would hope the author would do his homework and find out what the word would be with that group. But, at the same time not to take away from the historical time frame, it was used by the European Americans that didn't have any ties with the Amerindians. So, yes it would used. From one white to another white when they talked, but if one deals with Amerindians, the one would use the proper word while the other would not.

That is what makes interesting about a novel, when an Author adds those exchange of ideas and words.

If life was a bit more simple, it would make everyones day easier.

I hope that was of help to you.

Thanks for you comment and question.

Johnny