(Credits to the owner of the photo above, no copyright infringement intended!)
As I traveled back in time with my
readings, I came across interestingly positive derivatives of the word “Negro”.
The “N” Word had its origin in
usage connoting reverence, sacredness, and nobility. To mention a few, “N-G-R”
(Enger) meant God in Ancient Egypt; “Negash” meant King in Ancient Ethiopian,
“Negus” meant Emperor in Ethiopian as well. As for the Latin derivative, it was
plainly an adjective to mean “Black”. With the evolution of the word Negro, it
became a description of The Black Individual. It became an insult when
appropriated by white speakers, but was considered almost as an affectionate
address among fellow blacks.
The word Negro
was never intended as a negative connotation. So how did it come about to be such a fueled word when it is uttered? It has been related to
derogation, inferiority, a step down of status when used as a name, a label, or
a slur to an individual of Black Heritage.
This took me back in time to the
history of time immemorial of slavery, which has been part and parcel of the
trading industry. Black slavery has been documented between African Monarchy
and British Traders. By the turn of The 17th Century, Black slaves
were brought to North America and documentations of abuse, rape, and harsh
labor can be gleaned in American History. The slave traders started using the
word loosely to label the color of The African Skin, to denote derogation or
the status of African slaves as inferior and unworthy of quality and human
respect, of being owned and dealt with as an owner pleased, predominantly in brutal
and abusive ways.
It is amazing how the worth and
value of the Black American Slave tripled when the cotton plantations
flourished. The demand for slaves in the north diminished; white people found competition for jobs that both slaves and free men could perform. With the
advent of the revolution for independence; The North realized slavery was not
compatible with their ideals thus, emancipation of slavery commenced. The
battle between free states and slave states led to The Civil War.
After The Civil War, there were
still issues of slavery in the southern states which was looked on as a method
of racial control. Racial prejudice and lack of appreciation of the rich
African Culture that came with the slaves continued. Free black individuals
were perceived as threats or danger. One would think “Was it an acculturation
of the cruelty, oppression, and prejudice brought down upon the Black Ancestors
for centuries that resulted in passionate antagonism today among blacks?”
“The Negro” has come through proud
and strong, despite their history of trials and tribulation. Today, we are
looking at different levels of leadership, intellectuals, musicians, writers,
artists, civil rights activists-all represented by The Black Community. Bi-racial
marriages are signs of progress, that individuals are becoming tolerant to
People of Color. Education has come a long way to engender peaceful
coexistence. There is still more to be done.
Should we study history before we
use ethnic slurs to derogate people? We have to develop a consciousness about
history to develop tolerance and acceptance for those who are different; let us
render racist remarks impotent. Being different is okay. Being black is okay; being black is beautiful.
Article by: Nur
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