I often hear this but think that the Indians were either wiped out by disease or regulated to reservations before the bulk of immigrants arrived in the States.
There was racial prejudice so people didn't marry or date them freely. And how do so many Blacks claim they have Indian blood? It wasn't like the white enslavers let Indians have their way with the Blacks?
Plus, why is it so great to say you have Indian ancestory?
2007-02-09 05:04:36 · 12 answers · asked by Laughing Libra 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
Okay, let me explain...I live in the Southwest and know Amer Indians are around.
I was just asking why do so many people bring this up but don't even know which tribe their "ancestors" belonged to. Nor do they have any connection with the tribe.
My theory is if you aren't invited to a family reunion, you aren't one of them.
2007-02-09 05:26:46 · update #1
having Indian in your family = "good or pretty" hair. Or any thing not to be an African unfortunately people see that as a derogatory term
2007-02-09 05:09:49 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
When the first European settlers came here, they were all men. It was another 12 to 15 yrs. before the first women came from Europe. A lot of the Europeans took the Native American women and raped them and some married them. When the Europeans brought the Africans over from the slave trade, the Natives and Africans often mixed together and married each other. Africans and Native Americans mixed together very often because of they were both treated unkindly by the white settlers. It's like they had a understanding of what the others were going through (I'm pretty sure since both groups were tribal). The Europeans did not care what happened between the Native American or Africans as long they were not mixing with the European women. But as you can see, that didn't stop them either.
2007-02-09 05:24:17 · answer #2 · answered by PreciousRuby 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure about the Indian ancestory, but having Indian ancestry can get you special privileges such as scholarships reserved to Native Americans etc. There's a lot of Native Americans living in the USA today, so it's not difficult to know if a relative of yours is one of them. But I agree that some people say they have Native American ancestry with nothing to back it up.
2007-02-09 05:10:24 · answer #3 · answered by amaya m 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most people who say it are probable right. How that happened is really simple "people got busy" with each other. The western states in the U.S. still have many full blood Tribe members. When their kids go off the reservation for college or work they do what people do. Get drunk and hook up in bars with white, black, yellow,brown /add any color here/ kids doing the same thing. Maybe instead of believing everything you here, you could get out in the real world and have a look for yourself.
2007-02-09 05:19:39 · answer #4 · answered by Mother 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Native Americans are still around in the U.S. I am a Native American and many other things and I'm proud to claim my Native American heritage. Also, believe or not it, there was many interracial marriage going on before White people discontinued it. Many Black people did sleep with Native Americans and their descendants are still alive today.
I can't believe that you think Native Americans are not around. Many people prove their Native American heritage, because their ancestors registered with the government, which is how I'm able to prove mine. I also get a scholarship for college.
Also, in regards to your last question. I think it is horrible to say that. You just degraded a wonderful group of people who didn't do anything to you. Shame on you.
2007-02-09 05:14:02 · answer #5 · answered by Ayesha 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I do. My fathers mother is: 1/2 Sioux and white on her mothers side and 1/2 Sioux and black on her fathers side. My dads dad is 3/4 black and 1/4 white.
Lots of Immigrants had babies with native Americans...LOTS, including the slaves.
Do I think I'm better because of it NO!!! But its true.
I'm proud of being black. I love telling people that my grandfather (moms dad) was a big blue black man! I love knowing that ONE ancestor was Yoruba from Nigeria and kidnapped illegally and set free in the Bahamas around 1840!!!
I LOVE knowing my ancestry...but I do know some who like to point out how little black they have...even if they are as black as tar with the pickiest hair...I have yet to figure out whats wrong with being black.
2007-02-09 05:11:22 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
in this day and age people are proud to say they have Native American/First Nation blood for several reasons among whom are the benefits given by the government if the person has enough Heritage. later as time passes there may be a time when one will brag about Black Heritage but right now there seems to be a stigma to it like there was years ago when one had Native American/First Nation blood. my grandmother was one who was ashamed of our Native American blood.
2007-02-09 05:23:08 · answer #7 · answered by Marvin R 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let's just say that when there were no white women around, it was often more sensible to make love rather than war. And after the Civil War there weren't too many slaves around anymore.
2007-02-09 05:13:23 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because they do.. genius. What's wrong with people being proud of what they are? Are you jealous? Do you have something against Native Americans. Are all dark-skinned people only supposed to be proud of one nationality?
What's it to you?
I'm Jamaican, Indian, Scottish ~ and I'm proud of all of who I am. I don't care what you say - &%$#@
2007-02-09 05:27:09 · answer #9 · answered by ♥michele♥ 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
the native americans and the "new" ones that showed up from Europe were getting it on quite a bit back then
2007-02-09 05:32:27 · answer #10 · answered by bradatpfm 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋