Changing connotation and meaning

So far, the Wide Sargasso Sea readings have not disappointed.  I have been surprised to learn quite a bit more about Caribbean history in addition to the fact of dual representations of how British colonial citizens viewed each other and their status.  Terms like "creole" and "nigger" have entirely new meanings to me now, especially in light of how their meanings are different in the story than they are in the present day U.S.

When I used to think of "creole", it conjured up images of African Americans living in Louisiana, cooking up some crawfish  with some red beans and rice.  Cajun and creole were very often intermixed in my mind's eye as one in the same.  However, thanks to the readings, I now see that in British Colonial times, "creole" actually meant someone who was born or native to the islands regardless of their skin color.  Wow, now I have to totally readjust my thinking...

Another interesting use of a word has been "nigger".  This word, not surprisingly is definitely a derogatory term, however, it's use and connotation have now changed for me (no, I don't use them in sentences to describe people regularly).  Wide Sargasso Sea clearly demonstrates the use of the word describing not only blacks but whites.  This, once again, is forcing me to readjust my definitions and think of the term more in relation to denigration of people in general, white or black.  It's interesting to read wikipedia and other definitions and note that they make no reference to this term used by anyone other than whites against blacks. Once again, my thinking has been readjusted...