when did the term "Indian" become an offensive one for Native Americans, and why?

Question

i thought "indian" came from columbus calling indians, "una gente in dios," or "in dios," a people "in God." how did it become such a taboo thing from this?

Also, the country India didn't even exist by that name when the americas were discovered, so i'm guessing it has nothing to do with that.

Answer 1

I've found more are offended by the term Native American. They prefer to be called by there tribal nation's name.

Answer 2

I'm a Cherokee. I'm not a "native american" any more than a black guy is an "african american" - which is to say, the actual term is correct but generally insulting, possibly due to it's great condesencion and political correctness. I would rather be called a cherokee than an indian, but since there are too many different "nations" (which is also a condescending term, since reservations are old fashioned concentration camps, and not true soverign nations) to keep up with, the general public needs a name to apply to all of us "indians"
From what I know Columbus didn't even know of the existence of the american continents, and thought he landed in india, or for the sake of argument he thought he landed on the continent where india is located. Thus, the name. Thus the insulting connontation as well, for the name arises from a mistake.
Also, to say that calling a native american an indian is taboo is a little of an overstatement. If you are innocent in your remark, or being somewhat tactfull, then the only people who will take offense are the ones who are looking for a reason to be offended. Don't go to your local pow wow and yell out "Wow, look at all the indians!" and you'll be alright. lol And if you are in a conversation with an indian, and they tell you they are a Cherokee, or an Apache or a Blackfoot, or whatever, if you care enough about them to be polite, remember the name of thier tribe (or "nation"), because that's who they are, theyre no TV indians, they are culturally, and personally attatched to the customs and truths of thier tribe, thier family; and these tribes vary in great degrees from one another, greater degrees than one might expect at first glance.
You know, the whole indian name thing wasn't an issue at all untill people started moving here from india in greater numbers. I don't mind thier coming, or anything like that, I just think the issue is made bigger by calling two completely separate types of peoples indians, and since the native american tribes were called that by mistake, it seems best to just call them native americans, to avoid confusion. Unless were playing cowboys and indians, because playing cowboys and native americans just isnt any fun. :)

Answer 3

Well what I have been taught is that Columbus taught he was India and just called them Indians for that Reason, but I'll skim Lies my teacher told me and get back to you. But the reason Native Americans find it offensive is that first of all they are not Indians. They did not originate from India, they came from the America's hence the name Native American. Also, in my opinion, is that when you call Native Americans Indians, it's like you are implying that they never had anything to do with the Americas and the fact that America belong to them in the first place is just a load of Bologna. Personally, when people mistake me as being Indian, not Mexican, I just cringe because I practice the Mexican costumes/traditions so why call me an Indian if I'm not associated with India. Call me what I am, not what you think what I am. Which also supports that you should address a Native American by their tribe. If you do, it doesn't seem so generic and common and in some way less insulting.

Answer 4

It isn't offensive to us but more for the people of India. It is hard to distingush between the two words. Plus most tribes believe that if Columbus would have never come then they wouldn't have been removed from their lands so severly as they were. Also alot of people use the word injun which is a stupid and derogatory word. I am part Cherokee and any more we want to be noticed by our tribe itself. It is hard to see a Native American/American Indian on the street and know automatically what tribe they belong to. I prefer American Indian over anything. The main reason it is offensive is the word came from Columbus.

Answer 5

Oh I clear this up easy.

First. It doesn't matter where the term Indian came from. It doesn't matter if it was people in God or because he thought he was going to India.

Okay here's a simple reason it is offensive.
Columbus was responsible for the Genocide of many Native people's. Why would Native people accept anything that came from him?

But the real truth behind it is this, and this goes for any Native term given to Natives:
It takes away Natives rights to self-determination and spreads cultural ignorance.
Self-determination is a person's right to decide for themselves. Native people should be able to identify themselves. They should not be forced to accept names given to them. They should be able to decide for themselves what they are to be called.
And it spreads cultural ignorance. There are a bunch of Native tribes, they aren't all the same, the term Indian or Native American is inherently incorrect.

Hope this helps!

By the way, I'm Native

Answer 6

The real Indians are from India. Conditioning factors imprinted in the minds of all Americans were errors of identification that has began to sour. Some Native Americans don't really care either way. When you think about the issue don't pull out a tissue or worse, let it work it's way through the wash.. The term will work itself into what will work. Classify it under growing pains in America in the 21st Century.

Answer 7

the east indis existeded for spices that's where columbus thot he was going util he ran into the islands orr northamerica he nameded the natives indians 4 that reson we are not indians we are native americans.also im'25% cherokee talk about tha trial of tears **** columbus

Answer 8

I prefer the term American Indian and so do most of the indians that i know.... The "native american" politically correct term reminds me of the new ager term applied by old hippies from the 60's.