Why do people question you on here if you say you are of Native American descent?

Question

I mean a person ought to know their own background right? No one questions people if the say they are Black, Chinese ect.
What would be the point of lying? I don't get it.

My great-grandmother listed herself as Black Dutch to avoid negative reprocussions.

This question refers to a question posted by carolinagrl. She was attacked by some for stating that she was Cherokee.

Answer 1

some people are just ignorant. that's the simple fact. common sense isn't common

Answer 2

Yeah. That IS weird. But your statement kinda doesn't make sense. What KIND of questions are you being asked, exactly? Maybe people ask you questions because they never met any real Native Americans and they're interested. How come you're going around declaring you're a Native American, anyway? I mean, I don't say to people on boards, "Hey, I'm white!" Just be proud of whoever you. What difference does it make? Lying about what? What do you mean: "...a person ought to know their background..."? What does that have to do with anything? Doesn't everybody at least have an IDEA who/where they come from? Even just a look in the mirror can tell you things. (Native Americans ARE so cool though.)

Answer 3

Because there are many liars, new agers, and stealers/exploiters of culture and some are sensitive to it. Too many wannabes and twinkies out there now that just take what they want. As some say...first it was the land, now they want the culture to...

And waaayyyy to many people claiming to have an "Indian Princess," especially Cherokee, as an ancestor despite there never having existed such a thing...so it all gets ridiculous and no doubt annoying to some people by now...

I don't claim anything more more then just little ol' me and that I have a L/Dakota line on my father's side and a Choctaw line on my mother's side, along with everything else that I am. And still working on the family tree to figure out some last names... and attempting to learn a little about the L/Dakota from some people who are.

Answer 4

Maybe you look mixed. People are nosey and they like to know what mix you might be. Or maybe you look interesting and they want to engage in conversation with you. I'm only guessing, of course.

I know a Native American who (facial structure and long grey hair tied behind his back) looks likes like an indian chief you see on the cigars. I don't think he is ever questioned.

Answer 5

Because so many people tend to lie about having Native American ancestry. "My grandmother was half Cherokee" etc...
Take it as a compliment if you are Native.

Answer 6

Many people pretend to be "Native American" in order to gain economic aid from the US government.

Univ of Colorado professor Ward Churchill pretended he was Native American to get federal funding for his endeavors.

Many people pretend to be Native American in order to be given licenses to operate casinos.

Answer 7

People say that with out even researching it. Yes, most of us have Native American ancestry,but how many ppl really do the research to find out?

Answer 8

i think i kind of agree with the first person.. i dont' know how many people i've heard who said they have native amercian in their blood line..
meanwhile its a great aunt twice removed or a great great great grandmother..

Answer 9

No questions here ... by bringing it up it sounds like you're reaching out and asking for them though ...you know, provoking.

Answer 10

sum people are PO that u guys get free college, but other than that i dotn think most pple have a problem wit u guys