The name ‘Barak’ is an Old Testament name that dates back at least to 1239 BC. In the OT, Barak is a lesser know character that is singled out for his faith in God.
“And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets” (Hebrews 11:32).
Barak was a general who lived in the north and won a great victory over a superior army. Barak’s story is found in Judges 4-5. He got into the book of Judges through his association with a judge— Deborah.
Fast forward 3,200 years, It is doubtful the Islamic grandfather had the OT in mind when he named his son Barak. It is no wonder Barry sought to modify the spelling of his ‘name’ to something other than Judeo-Christian.
Or maybe they are just casual about the spelling of Bear-ick, how many ways are there to spell Mohammed (14) or Hussein (11)?
Mohamed, Mohammed, Mahomet, Muhamad, Mohhmad,....Hussayn, Hussain, Hoseaine,.... Whose-sane?
My interest in words and word origian comes from two wonder teachers in high school, English and Latin.
On day one of my classmates swore in class and instead of punishing him, she made him look up the source of the swear word....From there it bacame a class project.
What reminded me of this. Is ther terminology you’ve given for words meaning other that black or white.
Not sure if one of the students or the teacher gave us this gem. The “n” word, as it’s been called, comes from “Niger” which means black. It was a term that the slaves gave to the unpure blacks...those who had either willingly or were forced to bear the young of the master or his chosen “stud”.
Since many of these were indeed related to the Master, they became the house slaves and received special treatment. They were greatly resented by the field workers, thus the word became an insult, hurtful.
I this is accurate I wish O REALLY would have his word-smith make it public knowledge so that it’s sting would be removed. No one should be hurt by words.