squaw [skwô] NOUN offensive a North American Indian woman or wife. NORTH AMERICAN a woman or wife.
Vs
Squaw The English word squaw is an ethnic and sexual slur, historically used for Indigenous North American women. Contemporary use of the term, especially by non-Natives, is considered derogatory, misogynist, and racist.
Jewpedia
Anyone want to explain why it's offensive? Simply because it denotes a non-white women?
In her article “Reclaiming the word ‘s-word’ in the Name of the Ancestors,” Dr. Bruchac wrote the following excerpt about the meaning of s-word.
“The word has been interpreted by modern activists as a slanderous assault against Native American women. But traditional Algonkian speakers, in both Indian and English, still say words like ‘nidobaskwa’=a female friend, ‘manigebeskwa’=woman of the woods, or ‘S-word Sachem’=female chief. When Abenaki people sing the Birth Song, they address ‘nuncksquassis’=‘little woman baby’.”
“I understand the concern of Indian women who feel insulted by this word, but I respectfully suggest that we reclaim our language rather than let it be taken over,” wrote Bruchac.
(post is archived)