This is the one of two main topics we shared with our Ethiopian brothers and sisters in Ashdod. If not illiterate, the older Ethiopians read and write Amharic, the young read and write Hebrew, and some are fluent in both. Therefore, we carried 3 Bibles along with us: Amharic, Hebrew, and English (for us).

It is against the law to preach the Gospel of Jesus to anyone under the age of 18 without parental consent therefore we only referred to the Torah (the 5 books of Moshe¹) to illustrate the following point:

In days of old, Ethiopia was known as the land of Cush² (B’resheet³ 2:13). Thus, a Cushi⁴ or Cushite is simply a person from Ethiopia, an Ethiopian. This should not be anymore offensive then calling someone from Italy an Italian or someone from America an American.

An Ethiopian being called a “Cushi” is more like calling a Black American an “American”. It is not the same as calling a Black American a Nigger⁵.

Thus you should be able to wear a t-shirt saying “I’m Cushi and Proud!” But, be offended, very offended if called a nigger. Nigger is a derogatory word! Cush, Cushi, Cushite isn’t.

P.S. We taught them something! We tore down a stronghold; a stronghold based a misconception (w/o sugar coating: a lie from hell) designed to cause strife, etc, etc. The ‘truth’ had set them free!

Edwin Beckford
November 2003

1. Moshe: the Hebrew word for Moses
2. Cush means Ethiopia. Gen 2:13 KJV uses Ethiopia, NIV uses Cush, Amharic uses Ethiopia, Hebrew (the orig. language, the reference source) uses Cush. Webster’s Dictionary: Cush or Kush. Usage: geographical name. Ancient country: NE Africa in Nile valley S of Egypt. Cushite: adjective or noun.
3. B’resheet: the book of Genesis
4. Strongs OT3569
5. Webster’s Dictionary: nigger – Function: noun. Usually offensive: a black person; a member of any dark-skinned race; an expression of racial hatred and bigotry. Ranked as the most offensive and inflammatory racial slur in English. (It’s use among some blacks is not always intended or taken as offensive).