Marika;
Here in the U.S. the most negative label I've heard for "creole" was
"half-breed" (often reserved for a white/American Indian mixture). This
term is primarily used by whites.
Historically, the terms came from New Orleans, Louisiana where they were
first used just after the Civil War. "The Big Easy" as the city is
called, is home to a very large, diverse group of folks. Decendants of
French, Spanish, Indian, Caribbean, African and English citizens make up
the current populace.
Since many children had been born as a result of Black females having
children with the "Massah," they were automatically considered "creole"
among the Franco-American populace. The term evetually caught on and
became part of popular culture.
There were also different degrees of being creole, as well. Depending
upon parentage, a creole could also be considered an "Octoroon" (1/8
Black) or a "Quadroon" (1/4 Black).
Even within Black New Orleans culture, folks could be considered
"Creole" with a capital "C" as compared to a small "c." A capital "C"
indicated more of a French-Spanish mix of bloodlines. A small "c" was
considered more Black, than not; hence more "inferior."
Many early Black sororities and men's clubs wouldn't allow anyone to
join unless they passed the classic "paper bag" test. A standard paper
bag, which is medium to light brown, would be compared to one's
complexion. If one proved darker than the bag, they could not join
"Creole" clubs.
Darrell M. Newton, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor,
The Department of Communication and Theater Arts
Salisbury University
290 Holloway Hall
Salisbury, MD 21801
(410) 677-5060 Office
(410) 543-6229 Department
http://faculty.salisbury.edu/~dmnewton/
>>> [log in to unmask] 09/30/04 14:00 PM >>>
I agree with whoever said that there are many and conflicting usages of
'creole'.
As for 'half-caste' - certainly not acceptable here in the UK.
Equivalent to
'Coloured' in South Africa, I suppose, but there that used to include
Malays
as well. Does it still? What is used in the USA?
Marika Sherwood
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