[ Usenet FAQs | Search | Web FAQs | Documents | RFC Index ]
Single Page
Top Document: soc.culture.jewish FAQ: Miscellaneous and References (11/12)
Previous Document: Question 19.4: What do all those abbreviations like Z"L mean?
Next Document: Question 19.6: What does "shiksa" and "shaygetz" mean? How offensive are they?
-
Search the FAQ Archives
Single Page
Top Document: soc.culture.jewish FAQ: Miscellaneous and References (11/12)
Previous Document: Question 19.4: What do all those abbreviations like Z"L mean?
Next Document: Question 19.6: What does "shiksa" and "shaygetz" mean? How offensive are they?
Question 19.5: Is "shvartze" offensive? Is "goyim" offensive?
Answer:
"Shvartze" is the neutral Yiddish term for "black", including the
person. There are other derogatory terms--some borrowed from English.
But there are Jews who can make "shvartze" offensive. However, even
though the meaning of the term isn't offensive, that doesn't mean that
the word hasn't acquired an offensive connotation over time. This is
the case with "shvartze". Historically, it was used in a nonneutral
way, regardless of its neutral meaning. In general, the term should be
avoided. Note that "shvartze" is also used to describe strict
observance. [From the black clothing often worn by the very
observance. See [5]Section 11.1, question 6 for more details on this.]
"Goy" [plural: goyim, adjective: goyishe] is the standard Hebrew term
for non-Jew. Literally it is the Hebrew for "nation." Spoken aloud
with a disgusted inflection, it's pejorative. So is the word 'Jew' in
similar circumstances. Better to say "gentile" or "non-Jew" when
writing in English for a multireligious audience, such as SCJ. In
general, the use of judgemental or pejorative terms, even if no
offense is intended, should be avoided. They only serve to incite
anger and side-track the conversation. True conversation comes from
being factual and appropriately neutral.
In the phrase "shabbos goy"--a gentile who does things for Jews on
Shabbos--it is neutral, yet when refusing to do something for someone
by saying "I'm not your shabbos goy", it carries a derogatory tinge.
Some also suggest avoiding the term "Marrano", which means "pig".
Depending on the intended meaning, the terms "Sephardic" or
"Crypto-Jew" are more appropriate.
Top Document: soc.culture.jewish FAQ: Miscellaneous and References (11/12)
Previous Document: Question 19.4: What do all those abbreviations like Z"L mean?
Next Document: Question 19.6: What does "shiksa" and "shaygetz" mean? How offensive are they?
Single Page
[ Usenet FAQs | Search | Web FAQs | Documents | RFC Index ]
Send corrections/additions to the FAQ Maintainer:
SCJ FAQ Maintainer <maintainer@scjfaq.org>
Last Update October 07 2008 @ 00:11 AM