What's the deal with the Cherokees expelling black tribal members?

Question

What promped their decision? What would they say to Cherokees who are part white, Hispanic, Asian, etc? Will this create tension between blacks and Native Americans?

Answer 1

Someone else asked this question earlier too.

I'm a Native woman. I am so appalled at this decision.

I think that some Native people are so oppressed that they get caught up in government stereotypes and institutional racism. Native people still determine enrollment based on blood quantum standards set up by the government. As a Native woman I've never agreed with that either.

Please know that this doesn't represent all Native people. It doesn't even represent the Cherokee nation necessarily, sometimes tribal governments make decisions that not many agree on.

I know some of the history between African Americans and Native Americans. I know that we often helped each other. I don't see why this should change now. These people they are not allowing to be enrolled probably have Native blood. So then it wouldn't make any sense at all. We should support each other, that's what I think.

I do think Natives should retain their right to determain their own enrollment standards. However, I think this is definately a step in the Wrong direction.