Cushi

Etymology and biblical use

The word is a derivation of Cush ( Kūš), referring to the ancient Kingdom of Kush which was centered on the Upper Nile and Nubia (modern-day Sudan). Mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, Cushites are considered descendants of Noah's grandson, Cush the son of Ham. In biblical and historical usage, the term "Cushites" (Hamites) refers to individuals of East African origin (Horn of Africa and Sudan).

Modern use

In early Modern Hebrew usage, the term Cushi was used as an unmarked referent to a dark-skinned or red-haired person, without derogatory implications. For example, it is the nickname, or term of endearment, of the Israeli commando of Yemenite extraction, Shimon "Kushi" Rimon (b. 1939). When William Shakespeare's Othello was first translated to Hebrew in 1874 by Isaac Salkinsohn, the hero of the play was named Ithiel the Cushite ().

Contemporary use

In contemporary usage, the term is regarded as a racial slur. Some believe intent can be determined in part based on emphasis. If the first syllable is emphasized (CU-shi), then the usage is more likely derogatory. If the second is emphasized (cu-SHI), then it is less likely to be intentionally offensive. However, the use of the word cushi (or kushi) has generally become frowned upon, especially in academic spaces. Though it has been compared to the slur nigger in the United States, every usage of the word cushi was not initially considered to be derogatory by some people. When Ethiopian migrants to Israel began identifying the term as a slur in the 1990s, some made the conscious decision to discontinue its usage when referring to Israelis of Ethiopian descent. However, cushi continued to be used in reference to non-Ethiopian people of African descent.

In 2016, Hasidic singer Mordechai Ben David attracted controversy after a video taken at his December 28 concert in Jerusalem, wherein he referred to US President Barack Obama as a kushi, was circulated online.

References

References

1. (2001). "Race and Ethnicity: Solidarities and communities". Routledge.
2. "חדשות - דעות - רוביק רוזנטל nrg - ...הזירה הלשונית: אל תקרא".
3. Weintraub, Ellis. (February 27, 2007). "Blaze destroys Arava landmark". Jerusalem Post.
4. (May 3, 2002). "News in Brief". Haaretz.
5. "אחרי שאמרו לו שהכל נגמר, כושי רימון ניצח את הסרטן וחזר לחיים".
6. אשכנזי, יאיר. (15 March 2015). "איך נהפך אותלו של שייקספיר לאיתיאל הכושי?".
7. (June 15, 2014). "Is 'Kushim' a Racist Israeli Term for Blacks?". The Forward.
8. Tarnopolsky, Noga. (March 4, 2014). "No, an Israeli mayor did not just call black basketball players the N-word".
9. Moore, Jack. (2017-01-04). "Popular Jewish singer makes racial slur against Obama at Jerusalem concert".
10. (2017-01-03). "Hasidic singer Mordechai Ben David slams Obama with racial slur at Jerusalem concert".