Should I feel guilty and obligated to others because of my immigrant ancestors?

Question

I said I would never. But do you think I should? I'm sitting here wondering if my Indian Grandfather was a traitor for marrying a Scottish woman or was my Scottish Grandmother a traitor for marrying an Indian man. So called "Native Americans" holler about this being their land, but more than half of their ancestors married those so called "Whites" who came here and took it from them. The "Whites" said it was their land and called the Indians "Savages" and such, but married them anyway. And their half breed offspring have been fighting about who's right and who's wrong ever since. It seems to me that taking a side would be denying at least half my heritage. What kind of human would that make me? Why can't I just be an American with colorful blood like all the rest, who just happens to believe the Law of this land should be upheld? We don't have to agree with our Law but we do have do uphold it. Don't we? Doesn't the Law allow us the priveledge of not having to choose sides?

Answer 1

Absolutely not! I don't think you have to justify your personal convictions to anyone. Finally, finally, someone in this category that makes perfect sense to me!

Our technicolor skin/blood lines should be the least of our worries, or I would have to give thought to the ridiculous news on this category that whites will be extinct! I told a story once in a seminar about two Indian kids sending smoke signals to each other in the New Mexico desert near Trinity Site. Just about then, the H-Bomb was tested, and when the huge cloud of smoke exploded, one kid said to the other: "I wish I could've said thaaaaat!"


Your wisdom shines! I wish I could've said that. Thank you, madam. Have a great holiday!

Answer 2

1. neither the Scottish or the Indians took each other's land
2. native Americans and whites didn't always marry to have kids, or marry because they wanted to
3. some people are just whiny, and should get over it
4. you are who you are, not who you're ancestors were. you can love your family and think past mistakes were idiotic any way
5. more than half of "native Americans" were wiped out by disease, not marriage
6. you have the right to not choose sides. it's called neutrality
7. yes, support the laws of your land, you weren't born scottish or indian or native american, you were born american (i assume, or at least...naturalized??)

Answer 3

Laws have a purpose-a good one. To protect the majority.
You don't have to choose sides. And you know that silly argument of Indians spoken by supporters is not all true, many leave a lot of facts out. They do this to deceive and support their cause.
The Indians and setters did blend many times together. Race was a separate issue altogether. And they are still blending. Look how many have Indian blood!

Answer 4

Nope, guilt trip's over. Be proud of your heritage, american indians are/were a rich culture, just don't live in the past. Immigration law DOES need to be upheld, no matter your heritage, ethnicity, etc. The law's the law. Some don't feel like following that law, and americans increasingly don't feel like having them in our country. They can go home and not follow THEIR country's laws, see how far it gets em...

Answer 5

Bah no...don't feel obligated, it is in the past...plus we wouldn't have you if your American Indian grandfather didn't marry your Scottish grandmother...then you wouldn't be here to ask such a question. I'm sure you are a blessing to someone's life somewhere, so don't feel guilty for something that helped to diversify the planet.

Answer 6

There's no point in doing that to yourself: I am in the same situation you are in. I'm part thai and laos; and many others. But there's a war between thailand and laos still going on NOW as we speak of today; it;s been centuries but yet it's still a battle that won't subside. I feel the way you feel because if I choose one, would I be letting go of the other. The simplest thing for you to do is say, that a war the "others" chose for themselves, it's not your battle. If people want to go and make problems because of it then they've created something called a "burden" for themselves. The best thing for you to do is say, I'm proud of who I am where I come from, and whatever happen between the two ancestors that's theirs to burden; because if they can't let the simple feud go then they need to simply grow up.

Answer 7

Girl, you are giving me a headache. I do not care that my great, great grandmother was a Cherokee woman, nor do I care that she married and escaped slave. (Unfortunatley had a grandfather who did care when he found out, and ditched the wife and kids, flat).

I am proud of them, and my mom's Irish/Scots/Welsh/Dutch family tree, too.

All of these people lived so that one day you and I could live. No matter what the race or ethnicity, or even the history. They endured and sometimes flourished so someday you and I could just talk to one another. That is pretty damn special. And you have the choice of basking in that gift, or worrying about the legal ramifications.

Get your priorities straight.

Answer 8

no there is no point in raking yourself over the coals on this. it's in the past and you ARE an American. We must remember the past and learn so we do not repeat our mistakes but the rest we can throw away ! you cannot change the past - do not put yourself in a position of eternal turmoil over something you cannot change.
i am english, irish, swedish, polish, ukranian, german, and italian. now SURELY there have been conflicts betweens all these different nations at some time however it is no reflection on me. i am the perfect european mutt blend that America is comprised so much of. I am an American !@

Answer 9

Of course not.

If the people you know are harassing you because of your ancestry, you might want to find other people to spend your time with. Don't let anyone tell you that you need to feel bad about your ancestry or that you need to act like them because of it.

I think it's pathetic that some people need to hate so much that they'll use events from decades, or even centuries, ago that they weren't involved in, and probably don't even understand, as an excuse to bully other people.

Answer 10

It sounds to ME like you have ALREADY decided!!!!You are right,we are ALL Americans first!!! Or,at least we SHOULD be.
You see,THIS is the problem with the illegals,they have NO loyalty or love for this country!!! And,while Americans are made up if all nationalities and races,a TRUE American is concerned about the welfare of THIS country!!