Squaw (Noun)
Meaning
Derogatory terms for an American Indian woman.
Classification
Nouns denoting people.
Examples
- The old westerns often featured a stereotypical Native American woman referred to as a squaw, perpetuating a derogatory representation.
- Historically, the term squaw was used by European-American colonizers and settlers to refer to Native American women in a derogatory manner.
- In the 19th-century American West, a squaw was often depicted as a submissive and ill-treated companion to a Native American chief.
- The derogatory connotations associated with the term squaw have led to increased awareness about respectful communication when discussing Native American women.
- Some authors have attempted to address the use of the term squaw in classic literature, acknowledging its derogatory impact on representations of Native American women.