The Power Of A Word
Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me. Or can it? Well, yes it can but only if you give it the power to do so.
During the Anglo-Boer War (aka The South-African War), the British called the white Afrikaans-speaking people Boers (farmers). It was meant to be a derogatory name but we took pride in being called that. By doing so, we broke the power of the word. The colored population took it over and we are still called Boers today. Only, now it applies to all white people. It does not bother us because we are proud of what we are. The word has no power and has no negative connotations to us.
However, if we call them some name, they call it hate speech or racist remarks. They are offended and it has become habit to run to a court to sue. When you are offended by a word or when legislation and/or censorship are introduced to prevent the use of a word, you give it power. Few things can boost the sales of a book more that having it banned in some country. Then everybody wants to read it.
A name given to your race, color, or religion can only hurt you if you feel inferior about being what you are. Such a name does not describe or defame your character. It is just a name given to your clan that cannot hurt you until you give it the power to hurt. Only you can render the word powerless. Forget about the origins and earlier purpose of the word. It describes where you come from. Be proud of what you are, make it yours, and break its power.
So, the next time somebody calls you a Boer, or a Kaffir, Chink, Spic, ni**ger, Charra or whatever, do what I do. I turn around, give him my best smile and say: “Yes, I’m a Boer and I’m proud of it but why does it bother you if I’m a Boer? Maybe you want to be a Boer too? Now what shall I call you to make you feel proud as well?”
It normally leaves them speechless.
Have a good day out there, will you?
Comments (28)
Your words...
only if you give it the power to do so,
not so sure thats totally true
But theres certainly nothing more satisfying than thinking were in control of our emotions, feelings and actions...
we even convince ourselfs we are.. when were NOT
A good day to you also
thank you for this little piece of history. I never knew till I just read your blog what Boers meant. I first heard that word when my Gran told me about the Boer war, she had a relation of hers in a picture on the mantle shelf who was in the Boer war. Her Dad worked in Africa for many years, he hardly ever came home, but Gran and her family were well provided for. I used to love to listen to her stories.
You speak many words of wisdom in this Blog, I wish more people thought like you, people these day's get all out of shape over such silly things.
Go Head On, With Yo Bad Self!....
PS. I agree with you! Sugar...
I'm a very sensitive person...but what others' say about me doesn't bother me at all. I only care about those who are very close to me, when they do or say something that hurts me, I stay quiet...they know I have a lot to say but I prefer to keep them to myself till I've cooled off and could say it in a flippant way...trying to spare their feelings.
As per usual you are a case of its own. You know and I know the the term 'Boer' (with a capital') does not refer to a farmer. Well, it sits ok with me if you're not a Boer, but you appear to be contradicting yourself.
I'm sure that is not your real name but just a nickname you chose for yourself. I have further corrupted it to Snooky. And yet I have never heard you objecting to it.
Whenever! Someone calls me a name. I always just call them, that same name back! No matter what they called me. It will always be:
This is the one I told you about the other day. At last I took it off the shelf.
I'm glad you agree with me.
A personal attack is different. I'm not addressing that by this blog. I'm referring to specific words that are given to ethnic or religious groups. Such words should not be used but we attach too much importance to it. The word cannot defame somebody.
You mean like 'Up yours too!'
I know this is the one that you told me about.
Instead! I am smart with 95% of common sense. No one is 100% perfect. If we were, the world will be a perfect place.....
If they call me a creole! I calls them a creole too! If they call me black! I call them black too. When they call me crazy. I call them crazy too.
You just make them comfortable. With the words that they are use...
Especially! When they run to go look in the mirror...
well, I haven't experienced any ethnic or religious attack yet...lucky me but if happens I don't think it will bother me ...
Why did you bust my bubble now? I always thought that the world was perfect.
It would seem that ethnic differences is very much a regional thing restricted to the West.
Mirrors are deceitful things. We see ourselves in the mirror quite differently as others do. Mirrors tend to have a rosy tint.
I don't have a case. I merely stated my opinion the way I see it. I'm not pulling you down either. I stated what I saw. And I have peace with you not wanting to be called a Boer. But as for a matter of interest, how do you react when somebody calls you a Boer?
I'm in an Arab world...sometimes I would hear people here say " Filipinia"...so what? I'm a Filipino...and proud of it
I never hear anyone here fighting over ethnic or religious name calling...
When I think of all those poor boat people and the earth quake people, the last thing I care about is what names people call me.
See! By ignoring it, you take the word's power away. And that, I believe, is the reaction of most people. And of course we walk away, but the people we associate with, does not call us that. It is those we won't normally associate with who say these things. I wonder why.
Are you English speaking? That would explain why you resent being called a Boer because the majority of Afrikaans speaking people that I know, take pride in being part of the Boerenasie.
Ah, we're getting somewhere. At least we now know that we're dealing with a blonde.
Right! When you're proud of what you are, such names cannot hurt you.
Must tell you though, a red neck (rooinek) is something completely different in SA. We call the English speakers 'Rooinekke' and they call us 'Rock spiders'. Have not seen a fight erupting about that. Afrikaans and English speakers are closer now than when I was a child.
I have a major problem with the pot calling the kettle black...
But what if the kettle is black?
With all this load shedding one has to braai more often and sometime a cup of coffee goes well with a piece of rib.
I have met people who enjoy name calling but acknowledging that it bothers you...usually means they have gotten to you...nothing wrong with showing pride of where you came from or who you are as a person...
That's right. The moment you show a dislike for a given name, it will be thrown at you all the time. Some people are like that.
I did not get on too well with my brothers either. Now they are both dead and I miss them more than I want to admit sometimes. Life is too short to bear grudges.