Date: Wed, 2 Aug 2000 09:47:11 EDT
Subject: Re: Other inputs for "bacra"?


from the glossary of The Penguin Book of Caribbean Verse in English (Paula 
Burnett, editor), "backra" means "white person, people"

from Cote ce Cote la: Trinidad and Tobago Dictionary (compiled by John 
Mendes), "bacra johnny" means "fair-skinned or albino-type people who live in 
abject poverty--usually immigrants"

from the glossary of Michelle Cliff's Abeng, "buckra" means "white person; 
specifically one representing the ruling class, British.  (also backra.)"

My memory is vague re. the word's etymology.  However, its linguistic roots 
are West African, and in Caribbean literature it generally refers to the 
white ruling class.  In Trinidad, "johnny" has been attached to it and now 
used colloquially to refer to poor light-skinned people, who remain distinct 
from the ruling "backras."

I will continue to search for its etymological roots and pass on.  Hopefully, 
my source will unearth itself.

Myrna Nurse
Presbyterian College


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