2006-12-03 19:50:52 · 14 answers · asked by norhollywud 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
I don't know why either. Maybe they just want to belong to something? I have come across this almost everywhere I have lived. When it comes up that my family is Native, it seems like someone has to say they are part of some tribe. My favorite one that I have heard at least 10 times is "my great great grandmother was a Cherokee princess" I have heard this from Oklahoma all the way to California. I think for most white people, they don't really talk about Natives is why they have never heard of the exaggerations or lies.
2006-12-04 09:24:36 · answer #1 · answered by usmcspouse 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Europeans came to the states, mingled with the natives and as a result, a lot of people have Native American blood in them. I wouldn't call them liars, since it's probably true. It's definitely true in my case and I got the records to back it up. Of course, hauling around my family records to show to anyone who thinks I'm a liar is a bit of a hassle. But yeah, I don't think people that claim Native American heritage are lying.
2006-12-04 03:55:48 · answer #2 · answered by i luv teh fishes 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I have not come across any that do. Why do people post general stereotypical questions without any basis? Now that is a better question!
Many Americans aren't even aware of their Native American Heritage because it was often hidden from family records and the like in order to avoid discrimination and shunning of certain social circles.
2006-12-04 04:00:25 · answer #3 · answered by Wicked Good 6 · 4⤊ 2⤋
Because they can get away with appropriating native American heritage. If they went around saying they were African-American when they obviously weren't, they would get called on it.
2006-12-04 03:59:35 · answer #4 · answered by michinoku2001 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
good question-..kudos on some of the answers.....the ones TRYING to claim native heritage STILL have to address themselves as decendant of- (TRIBAL affiliation)....and you cant be registered as a full or some idiot degree blood....becos sometimes even the tribal ppl on the board fraudulantly register ppl....and why is it always cherokees???? where the rich cultural tribes like pequiot,narengansetts?OR is it too hard to spell for the WANNABESim fullblood and keep wondering when the whole of the eastern u.s.of a. will bring out the true tribes of the east....mohawks.senecas.irioquois....only the true bloods know whut i'm saying...I respect only those who approach me with "I'm some native but am IRISH/or any blood other than being from a cherokee PRINCESS)
2006-12-04 11:17:10 · answer #5 · answered by fire fly 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
People have their different reasons. It's not just whites, it's also black, hispanic, etc. And sometimes it's opposite...people will DOWNPLAY their native heritage.
Maybe it makes them feel "cool"...maybe it makes them feel like they have more of a right to be here...who knows?
I'm mixed, by the way. Cherokee, Swedish, Yugoslav. My Grandma once told me that when she was young, her mother told her to never admit that she was native...she said "Tell them you are Italian, Spanish, anything! But don't say you are native...they'll all hate you for it". How sad is that? Back in the 30s and 40s, it wasn't "cool" to be anything but white. Thankfully my Grandma remained proud of her people and culture anyway.
2006-12-04 04:15:10 · answer #6 · answered by Megan V 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I'm not quite sure as to why. I am native american (1/4) but my family such as grandparents and back generations tried to deny it. I am not really one into my heritage, mostly b./c I really don't know what I am for sure.
What makes you wonder?
2006-12-04 03:53:37 · answer #7 · answered by mke 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The same reason black Americans do it: so that they can claim a unique and beautiful culture that many would not necessarily associate them with. White Americans may feel that it negates the idea that they were not oppressed, and black Americans may think that people will respect or like them more if they are not 100% black.
2006-12-04 03:54:27 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
Were are you getting your information? Of the thousands of white Americans I have know only 2 ever claimed they were part Native American; Cherokee.
My ex-wife and my son. And since I met her maternal grand mother who was a verified Cherokee I have to assume my ex-wife and my son are telling the truth.
2006-12-04 05:25:58 · answer #9 · answered by iraq51 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Because if you are white, that would mean that you have no great history, you are plain and have no great stories about your culture. So they lie and say that they are Native American to make themselves more appealing to others.
2006-12-04 16:28:00 · answer #10 · answered by Fuzzy 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋