Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
The n-word, the g-word and the hidden perils of travel
Living in Spain, I get a lot of questions about the United States. One of the most common, and certainly the most disturbing, is if it's OK to use the N-word.Let me just say from the outset that I think the term "N-word" is silly. By using it you immediately think of the word I'm trying not to say so, in a sense, I've actually said it. On the other hand, if I actually used the word n-----, Gadling would fire my ass, and they'd be right to.
N----- is getting more and more common on American TV shows that get broadcast here. The Wire uses it in almost every scene. Most Spaniards realize it's a bad word, but are confused to hear it used on TV by whites and blacks alike. I've had to explain on more than one occasion that it hasn't become OK. At least it isn't OK with this white boy. I don't think it's OK for black people to use either, but they're probably not interested in my opinion.
Now anybody with two brain cells to rub together knows TV isn't reality, but if you've never been to a country before, TV is probably the main way you know about it. The average European has spent far more time watching American TV than talking to actual Americans. Like the guy I met in a bar who was about to go to the U.S. for the first time and used n------ during our conversation. He wasn't a racist, he just thought the word was OK now. I'm glad I got to talk to him before he got his butt kicked.
I had a similar experience when I spent two months living in Harar, Ethiopia. I was researching a book on Ethiopian history and kept coming across a name for a tribe called the G----. This word appears in many English-language books about Ethiopia, including many modern ones. One day I was chewing qat with my friend Mohammed Jami Guleid (harartourguide @gmail.com) a local guide and historian, in a small village near Harar. Casually I asked him, "Who are the G----?"
Mohammed gave me a look like I had just farted in a mosque.
"Where did you hear that word?" he asked in a low voice.
"It's in a lot of books. Some mentioned that the G---- live around Harar."
"We're in an Oromo village!" he said, eyes wide.
"So?" I said, confused.
Mohammed shook his head and explained, "It's an old term for Oromo given to them by the Emperor Menelik. Don't use it. It's very insulting. It's the most insulting thing you can say."
So insulting, in fact, that I'm not writing it here. Of course, Gadling wouldn't fire me for using the G-word because the Oromo don't have any political power in the United States, but respect is respect.
Menelik conquered Harar in 1887 and proceeded to starve the surrounding Oromo clans into submission. About half the population died. Needless to say, the Oromo don't think very highly of Menelik, even though he's a hero to many other Ethiopians because he smashed the Italian army at the Battle of Adowa in 1896. Different people see history differently because they experienced it differently. Something to remember the next time Black History Month rolls by.
So when preparing for a trip, it's important to do your homework and understand the different ethnic groups in that country, otherwise you may inadvertently cause offense by saying something you heard on television, or in my case read in a bunch of history books written by people who should have known better!
If you're going to Ethiopia and are worried about the G-word, drop me a line privately and I'll fill you in on the word you can't say. And if you write out the full word for n----- or G---- in the comments section, I'll delete it as soon as I see it.
[Photo of Ice-T, who uses the n-word waaaaay too much, is courtesy Steve Rapport]
"It's in a lot of books. Some mentioned that the G---- live around Harar."
"We're in an Oromo village!" he said, eyes wide.
"So?" I said, confused.
Mohammed shook his head and explained, "It's an old term for Oromo given to them by the Emperor Menelik. Don't use it. It's very insulting. It's the most insulting thing you can say."
So insulting, in fact, that I'm not writing it here. Of course, Gadling wouldn't fire me for using the G-word because the Oromo don't have any political power in the United States, but respect is respect.
Menelik conquered Harar in 1887 and proceeded to starve the surrounding Oromo clans into submission. About half the population died. Needless to say, the Oromo don't think very highly of Menelik, even though he's a hero to many other Ethiopians because he smashed the Italian army at the Battle of Adowa in 1896. Different people see history differently because they experienced it differently. Something to remember the next time Black History Month rolls by.
So when preparing for a trip, it's important to do your homework and understand the different ethnic groups in that country, otherwise you may inadvertently cause offense by saying something you heard on television, or in my case read in a bunch of history books written by people who should have known better!
If you're going to Ethiopia and are worried about the G-word, drop me a line privately and I'll fill you in on the word you can't say. And if you write out the full word for n----- or G---- in the comments section, I'll delete it as soon as I see it.
[Photo of Ice-T, who uses the n-word waaaaay too much, is courtesy Steve Rapport]
Filed under: Arts and Culture, History, Learning, Africa, North America, Ethiopia, United States, Travel Security
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jim C Jul 12th 2011 11:30AM
Man, everyone is sooooo sensitive these days! I used to live in an Italian neighbor hood and If I didn't hear at said at least 10 times a day that there are two kinds of people in the world those who are Italian and those who want to be Italian. This went on for twenty years or so. After this is ground into your face a few thousand times you begin to realize that they are not joking. That they are serious and are looking down on you. That they think that you are trash because you were not born to Italians. The Jewish people have thier own way of slighting other people and it seems to be well accepted, After they establish that they are Chosen by God they invariably like to throe in a couble Hebrew words into the mix Shicksa, Gentile etc. just to name a couple of jewish insults It will never end.
Andrew Jul 12th 2011 12:05PM
From my experience in the Oromia Region, I think many Oromo people would find your chewing qat just as offensive as using the word G----.
Sean McLachlan Jul 12th 2011 12:08PM
That's a wee bit of an exaggeration, especially with the Oromo we were hanging out with. The house was the site of a regular birtcha!
Pablo Jul 12th 2011 6:49PM
Sean,
always very intresting stuff, thank you!
I will be heading to etiophia in august and appreciate the inspiration about learning more of the different regions and cultures.
PS: what is the word?
Thank you sir, Pablo
www.latitudes-longitudes.com
Sean McLachlan Jul 12th 2011 6:56PM
Pablo,
Enjoy Ethiopia! I just sent you the word. If you want any advice or suggestions about traveling in Ethiopia, feel free to drop me a line.
Alex Jul 12th 2011 6:49PM
A word is just a word... A few letters put together. I really don't see why I could not write the N-word here, it's in the dictionary!
Sean McLachlan Jul 12th 2011 6:52PM
Alex,
Yes, it's in the dictionary, but my dictionary comes with the warning "possibly the most offensive word in the English language." Just because a word is in the dictionary doesn't mean it's OK to use! I bet you can think of a dozen examples.
Frantz Jul 14th 2011 4:32PM
Nicely written Sean.
Keep up the great work.
PrettyPaula Jul 13th 2011 2:56AM
Great column.
Al Jul 13th 2011 9:55AM
Whaat's the G word. Am I sheltered of what?