Are you in favor of calling native born Americans Native Americans?

Question

Are we the only country that equates the words native with brown skin? Doesn't the word native mean that one was born here? Why do we refer to Indians as native, but not everyone else that was born here? I'm in favor of changing the meaning of the term Native American to mean any one who was born here. How about you?

Most of the first few answerers seem to think my question is whether we should call North American Indians Native Americans or Indians. To clarify, I am talking about any and all NATIVE BORN ie born in this United States being called NATIVE American regardless of race. Because NATIVE means place of birth. Let's try this again. Thanks for your answers.

Answer 1

No, people relate that term to American Indian tribes; but I see where you're going with this...people are so hell bent on labeling; you're on to something...the concept would simplify, but it would never fly.

Answer 2

First of all, every race has been around for at least 40 thousand years. The Indians came here from Asia 15 thousand years ago (at the MOST) so that they are not a true race. Since they are not a race- but instead a branch of the Asian race- they are immigrants from Asia. They came here across the Bering Strait, and basically spread out all over North and South America. Most tribes had no marked territory and were nomadic. (The few that weren't were extinct before White people came.)

When the immigrants from Europe came, the land was as much theirs as it was the Indians'- they did not have it marked- and the Indians fought back at them. It was the age of exploration and conquering- all nations at the time fought for land (This was the case in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, etc.) so that the Europeans' fighting back makes perfect sense, especially since it was done in self-defense.

So, in the end, I am in favor of that. If an American goes to another country, they can say "I am a native of America". This shortens that title down. ^^ (A native of any place does mean that you were born there. A native of Canada, for example, means you were born in Canada.)

P.S. Also, Indians sold each other into slavery, fought each other for land even though it was only for temporary usage, and most can't control their urges for pleasure (whether they are for alcohol or sex), so it is going to take a loooong time for anyone to convince me that the Indians are "Native Americans" and have more of a right to land, aren't immigrants, etc.

Answer 3

Correct term would be Indigenous peoples of the Americas (North America all the way down to South America)

Touchy subject the reason is because for a couple of hundred years the rights of Native Americans have been taken away these people have been subjected to living in conditions that are beyond humane.

In the 1800's Westward expansion of the United States incrementally compelled large numbers of Native Americans to resettle further west, mostly by force. US policy toward Native Americans has been an evolving process. In the late nineteenth century, reformers, in efforts to "civilize" Native Americans, adapted the practice of educating native children in Indian Boarding Schools which in part involved these schools basically humiliated and abused the children There are also many documented cases of sexual, physical and mental abuses occurring at these schools.

United States citizenship to Native Americans, in part because of an interest by many to see them merged with the American mainstream, and also because of the heroic service of many Native American veterans in World War 1. This status was not granted until after World War 1.

Furthermore, some American Indians question the term Native American because, they argue, it serves to ease the conscience of "white America" with regard to past injustices done to American Indians by effectively eliminating "Indians" from the present.

Answer 4

Native American has always meant someone born in America.
Native American Indians were natives before everyone else and that is why they are called Native American Indians.

Answer 5

Maybe it's just my generation -- born in the sixties -- but for me, the term "Native American" actually has a sacred tone to it. To me the term has actually managed to knit together a rich, rich history that even today is in jeopardy of being lost forever.

And even though it's hard to think about, the specificity of the term continues to act as a reminder of just how horribly we treated Native Americans. In our dealings with them we basically thumbed our nose at everything our country stood for: "Liberty and Justice for All."

I feel to change the use of the word and call everyone born here (in the US) Native American will -- once again -- result in the dilution, not preservation of the Native American culture.

Anyway ... my two cents worth...

FYI...I'm not Native American. I'm just your average suburban mom.

Answer 6

It does mean both depending on the context of the sentence...It is proper to say I am a Native of America and not Native American...No I am against it as it is not correct to say that those not originaly from a place are Native to it...I have a friend clearly American was born on a Military base in Spain would that under your terms make him a Native Spaniard? ridiculous.

Answer 7

Well, they are not Indians, because they did not come from India -- at least not since the land bridge across the Aleutians from Siberia broke down. And they are native in that they are more native than the whites and blacks who came later. But the best thing, in my view, is to call them by their tribal names: In Flagstaff, our neighbors were Navajo, and some were Hopi. They will tell you what they prefer to be called if you ask them, although be prepared for some good-natured joshing. Most Navajos I have spoken to would probably say something like, "Don't care what you call me, as long as it's not late for dinner." Or "Just call me Joe. That's my name."

Answer 8

we might have been born here, but our ancestors weren't. the American Indian is the only true American, because their ancestors were born on north American soil. people born here, but not of the red skin, are American born. people of red skin ARE the only ones that can be native Americans.

Answer 9

I think Native applies to their culture being Native, not the individual. I think they would prefer to be called by their tribe anyway. My friend is of the Buffalo people and he doesn't like when people just assume he is a native american. He wants people to get to know him and ask him where he is from.

Answer 10

Native American does mean they were born in the USA. It is not up to us to call people like that Native Americans though. We would be insulting ourselves. I agree with you, yes!

Answer 11

That is a cool idea, however the american government has shown so little respect to the "people who were here before columbus did," that it tries to give the american indians a supposed higher status, than just savages.