What are the 2 main problems with the word "Indian" for Native Americans?

Answer 1

I am a Native woman. I have some experience with this :)
1. Natives didn't get to define the term themselves, it was chosen for them.
2. There are already Indian people, from India. It is not culturally appropriate.

More detailed information provided below:
Indian was the first term the colonizers used to refer to Native people. Later the government realized this term was culturally inappropriate and so changed the term to Native American. You must consider that neither of these terms were chosen by Native people. They were chosen by the government. Many non-Natives have a problem with these terms and to them I suggest talking to the government and asking them to allow Natives to choose their own terminology.

Many Natives I know including myself prefer terms such as: Indigenous, Native, Tribal, or the individuals specific tribal name (such as Cherokee or Apache). The term Indian has long been considered inappropriate and not politically correct. It is mostly used within Native communities. Many Natives I know don't appreciate this term. Native American is better than Indian but still not the best choice.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

It would be like calling Australians Americans. People like to think of themselves as different, so Americans would be peeved because Aussies AREN'T Americans. And Aussie's would be peeved for the same reason.

What's amazing is that it actually stuck this long.

I've actually heard people use the term "East Indians" when referring to people from India. East? Hello? The country is called India. Therefore the people are called Indians.

Then there's the problem of that area in the Caribbean called the "West Indies." What do you call those people?

If you think about it, it's really strange that aboriginal Americans are called Indians to this day. Genetically, the Europeans that came over are more closely linked to Indians from India than aboriginal Americans, whose ancestors came from Asia.

And on another note, I think we should call Japan "Nihon". I'll let you figure that out on your own.

Answer 3

Many "Native Americans" do not want to be called that, because they have gotten used to the title "Indian" and find it insulting that the media want to politically correct their title with out their permission.

Answer 4

They were first named Indians because the early explorers thought they were in India. They thought they found a shorter route.

Answer 5

It's very chic to be "offended" in today's culture. Indians latest thing is to whine about sports nicknames. I don't see Scandinavians complaining about the Vikings, or steelworkers complaining about the Steelers. People need to toughen up and quit moaning

Answer 6

they r not from india and it insults their god.