Is "Squaw" a racist term?

Question

Squaw is NOT an English word. It IS a phoenetic rendering of an Algonkian word that does NOT translate to "a woman's private parts." The word "squaw" - as "esqua," "squa," "skwa," "skwe" and other variants - traditionally means the totality of being female, not just the female anatomy. The word has been interpreted by modern activists as a slanderous assault against Native American women. Any word can hurt when used as a weapon. Banning the word will not erase the past, and will only give the oppressors power to define our language. What words will be next? Pappoose? Sachem? Pow Wow? If we accept the slander, and internalize the insult, we discredit our female ancestors who felt no shame at hearing the word spoken. To ban indigenous words discriminates against Native people and their languages. It makes no sense for Native people to cling to and accept a wrong translation. We must stop now and educate, rather than tolerate the loss of our language due to ignorance.

Answer 1

The truth is that this word has been used to demean Native people for centuries. I agree we should educate. At the same time too many people see the word as an insult. I respect the Al. tribe for reclaiming it's language. At the same time, until this racism stops or more people are educated, I don't want Native youth to have to hear this word used repeatedly in a derogatory way. We can keep the language alive, name sites after other Native words. Educate about the meaning of this word but for now it doesn't belong in the public. It's just too racially loaded right now. I mean we can't even get people to understand that all Natives didn't leave in teepees, people still argue that Native mascots are moral, this battle isn't ending soon. Let our young people be raised with ease and education. Or how about this compromise, keep the title Squaw but put the correct translation in English directly underneath?

That's my two cents, from a Native woman who was raised to believe that Squaw was derogatory. I have since learned the true meaning of the word but it still holds so much hate. I mean look at the swastika, it doesn't actually represent hate but it was brought to mean that by White supremecy groups, i can't see it today without thinking about hate.

Answer 2

Yes, I have always heard it as a ignorant term. IMO, for people to have used it for ANY Native woman rather then calling her a WOMAN, how is that not demeaning and lowering her to the status of being less then human??

Here's a thought, maybe leave the word to ONLY the tribe that it came from. No one else has reason to use it. What you are saying then basically means that maybe the "N" word and others should just be allowed because getting rid of it will only give the oppressors power. That does not make sense.

Look, I can't speak for anyone, I am just me, but I know that word is not an "OUR language" thing unless you are part of the tribe that word comes from and are speaking to them alone. At that point, you need to label the question to them specifically.

Answer 3

A different point of view. Did you ever hear some one say an everyday word and their tone or inflection made it sound like a cuss word?Some people can spit a word and turn it into something dirty. One good example is the word that used to only mean a female dog {bi=tch}. Now that word has taken on a whole new meaning. How about the word that used to mean joyful or happy {g-ay} I have to change them because yahoo will not let me use them. The word that used to mean the whole of femininity is now a demeaning word and so needs to not be used till it returns to its original meaning. Thanks for listening.

Answer 4

Ive only known "SQUAW" to mean a female Native American.