Question related to use of the terms "squaw" and "pale face":

[NYC_SKP]

Last edited Mon Sep 16, 2013, 12:59 PM - Edit history (1)

I was just on a jury for an alert on this reply in a thread:

Iam married to a tuscarora squaw for 28 years.married her because she was then and is now prettier in mind and in body than any pale face lady I've ever met.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023675850#post13

I'm really interested in different cultures and I know that a compliment in one can be an insult in another, so I voted not to hide the reply but now I'm curious. Does anyone have experience with usage of these terms and an opinion of whether or not they are used innocently, as insults, or other opinions?

I was born in parts of the country near Tuscarora and I travel extensively, and I'm always charmed by people I meet, including this summer some members of the Jemez Pueblo near Albuquerque on my way to Farmington, with a stop in Chaco Canyon (how about that?).

My question is this: Your reply was alerted upon for your use of the term "squaw" and one of the jurors found your use of the term "pale face" to be offensive, too.

I'm of a different, more tolerant mind, and willing to imagine that different cultures have different standards, and that we need to be respectful and give the benefit of the doubt.

It's quite possible that "squaw" is, in your circles, not an insult and might even be a term of endearment.

It's also possible that "pale face" is so commonly used that it doesn't offend anyone in your circles, including caucasians.

If you have time, please discuss use of these words with me, feel free to send a PM if you like, or even post in our Native American forum, here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1191

Thanks in advance.

ON EDIT: I found a discussion about the word "squaw" at another site: http://www.nativeweb.org/pages/legal/squaw.html

I'm not surprised that some seem to want to reclaim the word in it's original context and not let the people who came here tell them what is and is not acceptable when speaking amongst themselves.

But I'm not certain of any of this.

Curiously,

NYC_SKP