What exactly is a "Native American"?

Question

I'm a little hurt to realize that so many of the Aborigenies call thamselves Native American simply because they have Aboriginie blood. Natives were here long before America was. Claiming that Aboriginies are the only Native Americans is illogical. Anyone born to an American citizen after America was established is a Native American. I live on a rez, but that's not what gives me the right to call myself Native American. I am Native American simply because I was born here to 2 American Citizens, 1 Scott, 1 Aboriginie. Being Red doesn't make me Native American, my birth right does. Black Elk would spit if someone called him a Native American and he was around when America was established. What's done is done, the Aboriginies lost their land and their lifestyle. My ancestors killed by Union Soldier buck shot were NOT Native American. I am an American Citizen with Scott/Sioux blood in my veins. I gave up the chip on my shoulder out of wisdom and for the sake of survival.

Answer 1

That was very well written. You sound like you are wise beyond your years and I appreciate your candidness here. Thank you! We are all Native Americans if we were born here, I agree with you!

Answer 2

It is used to refer to American Indians. Naturally, they, too, migrated, from Asia, the Mideast, South America, but they have been here far longer than Europeans or black Americans. The term, coined by the politically correct 25 years or so ago, is not popular with American Indians, who prefer simply being called "Indian" if they must be singled out. Perhaps we over use racial and ethnic terms, drawing attention to ones race when it has no bearing on the person under discussion, except to point up a difference.

Answer 3

There is really no such thing as a Native American. That term was created from our government for inventory purposes and is very insulting to some. Your not supposed to say Native American, your supposed to say Souix, Cherokie, Apache, or whatever type of tribe the Indians are from.

The problem is the rest of us don't know enough tribes or what tribe your from unless you tell us. That's why the name stuck. It's the same for the rest of us too - you couldn't tell just by looking at us who is German, Swiss, Greek, Italian and the rest other than the perceived sterotypes we associate with them.

Answer 4

Its that political correctness crap.
Its a new name for Red skin people who resided here before the white devils came along.

Just like African American is a new name for people who are black. Not for people who are actually from Africa than migrated here. For example, Charlize Theron the actress from South Africa who is now an American citizen is a textbook definition of "African American" but she will not be referred to as such because she is white.

Answer 5

I concur. Labels are terrible things.

For the past year or so I've been trying to remove all racist related labels from my vocab. Words like indian, white, black, red, yellow, African American, don't have any real purpose but to divide us. It's really not that hard to stop labeling people, and once I did I heard less stereotypes from people.

In stories we tell our friends why does it matter what race someone is unless we are play on stereotypes.

Answer 6

Unfortunately, the term "aborigine" tends to connote Australian aboriginals. It is also unfortunate that aborigines in North America are forced to use the term "Native American" to make their origin clear to the rest of the English-speaking world. It is the result of U.S. cultural hegemony, so powerful that it colors the language.

Feel free to call yourself an aborigine, but be prepared to explain yourself to a lot of people if you do.

Answer 7

you make a valid point. here is another. for example, you and I are standing on a hill, we look up into the sky, you say,"look, there is a bird." I look up and see many birds, all different. I do not know which bird has caught your eye, so I ask, "which bird are you looking at?" you reply, "The big one with the white head, black and white tail feathers and the long talons." Now I can see the bird which has caught your eye and know it for an eagle. understand?

Answer 8

THIS WAS THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD ORDER. THE ABORIGINAL PEOPLE FOUGHT AGAINST THE ATROCITIES THAT WERE OCCURRING. UNFORTUNATELY, THE DEFEAT WAS TOO MUCH TOO BEAR. THIS ALSO INCLUDED OTHER NON-NORDICS.
TO SPARE THE TRIBES FROM EXTINCTION, SUBMISSION TO EVIL PREVAILED.
FOR TODAY? INSTEAD OF WORKING TOGETHER TO BUILD A FOUNDATION OF TRUTH. WE CONTINUE TO LISTEN TO THE STEREOTYPES OF THE FINANCIALLY WEALTHY.
WE STILL ARE WARY OF ONE ANOTHER. ALCOHOLISM, DRUG ADDICTION, VIOLENCE, UNEMPLOYMENT, etc.,etc. THESE ARE A FEW THAT ARE VERY HIGH.
I HAVE NEVER BEEN ACCEPTED AS A U.S. CITIZEN. I LEARNED THAT I HAVE BEEN AMERICANIZED.

Answer 9

Some hate that you were born here-and they were not, so, they try to discredit the truth.
It is foolish reasoning.
If they would face facts--they have nothing to say.
They are deceivers twisting things. Those with reasoning power know their deceit.

Nice post.

Answer 10

Why to tell you the truth... They are people.
Like in the movie "The New World".
Wooohoo.... I love Q'orianka kilcher..... She is a good actor...