Ethnohaulism and on Confusing Religion, Culture, and Race
![Image](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh27gyAmY1pWlGjrKdsEyzLN5gpexnwXtjCnupiI0ZY9t-QXxBTXt9iHsq-7n-IdkAYac3mfhXOeajn_qWKPqGwBRT6BIKyERH5CAygEq3Xf67ddh8M1qOFuMAuU74MZ9RFQDYORO5GSWE/s640/Arab+scout+on+a+camel.jpg)
An ethnic slur, or ethnohaulism as it's technically called, is when a term or combination of terms are used as insinuations or allegations about members of a given ethnicity or to refer to them in a derogatory (critical or disrespectful), pejorative (disapproving or contemptuous), or insulting fashion. More simply put, an ethnic slur is a term or word(s) used to insult someone on the basis of race, ethnicity, or nationality. Recently I was watching a debate about the pejorative term "towel-head" and whether or not the term is racist. Personally, I do not know the history of the usage of this term, but according to The Oxford Dictionary of English , the term is classified as informal/offensive. Not informal/racist. The term, however, is commonly used as a term of abuse for a Muslim or Arab who wears the style of headdress, either a turban or keffiyeh , which looks like a wrapped up towel atop of a person's head. I personally would never use the term "towe