Why do people still use the label Indian to American Natives?

Question

When I tell people I have Indian friend they think she's a native american O_o

She is from the Indian Sub-continent

Answer 1

for most of us i don't think we do it intentionally, more on the lines of that its not politically correct to use the word to describe the true owners of this land.

Answer 2

Well, I'm a little bit of Chickamauga Cherokee and I believe that the label Indian is closer to them than Native American. Think about it. Indians were here way before America became America. It could be worse, we could all call them Ingins like in the old western days, but that is an insult. Actually, "indians" or "native americans" would probably go with their Tribe name, I'm from the Chickamauga Cherokee White River Tribe, so yea. The best way to label them is by their group or tribe. Ex. the Blackfoots, the Apaches, the Navajos, and the Iroquois. I'm not exactly sure why the label Indian or the label Native American is used.

Answer 3

People with relatives from India who are citizens of this country are Indian American.
American Indians are native to this continent.

According to his logs, Columbus thought he had reached an Island off of Japan when he hit the West Indies. So, accordingly, he called the people "Indians." At that time, all of Asia was considered "India". The name stuck.

A sizeable majority of American Indians prefer the term American Indian to Native American as the term Native American is riddled with. . .well. . .a lot of issues. There are some American Indians who don't like it because it sounds like a word that "guilt-ridden whites" made up so they could be politically correct. Others don't like it because it implies that "Native Americans" are the natives to a colonial power that subjegated them. The term American Indian carries no such baggage. It is what it is.

Answer 4

Because that was the term that was used for so long.

Also we don't come into contact with American Natives as much as other minorities, so you aren't there to correct us. If I should use "Indian" or any other term that you might find offensive in your company, I would hope that you would politely correct me and I won't repeat it.

But give it time. The use of the term "Indian" is out of fashion and within a generation or two will only be used to refer to people from the country India. But right or wrongly, cultural changes take time.

Answer 5

well, it's not a completely wrong term. i think it's more confusing than anything because if you call someone indian invetiably someone wants to know if you mean native american or as in from india. technically, native americans are indigenous, which isn't too far from being "indian". native american is more pc and straightforward. maybe people should get better at learning and identifying the various tribes.

Answer 6

The Native Americans were referred to as "Indians" early on in our nation's history. Sometimes that name is still used.

Answer 7

What the hell does it matter. I'm pretty sure they (Indians, Native Americans, American Natives) didn't give themselves the the labels in the first place. So no matter what its just a label.

Like a sink or a basin. What the hell is the difference? Its just a label so the person you are communicating with will know what you're talking about.

Answer 8

Try saying East Indian to avoid that problem or maybe just a discription that doesn't include their race.

I'm Chippewa and Indian doesnt bother me, but neither does Native American, Aboriginal American, North American Native or any of the other politically correct gobbly-**** ppl use to avoid offending others. we all know when someone is trying to offend us.

Answer 9

They are too worried about what they are going to call the black people and the Puerto Rican people and the Mexican people to notice.

Not that it matters....we who are Indian or part Indian don't mind...we prefer it, in fact. No need for all that Native American goobly goo. After all, we were here before it was even America.

Answer 10

because the term Indian has been used for hundreds of years you cant just expect it to change over night. as well i know tons of indians who dont mind the term as well as some who prefer native. I dont think most people get too offended by indian.

Answer 11

Many NAs don't mind being called Indians. I know the ones around here don't. They say that when Columbus discovered America India didn't exist as a country and therefore, his calling NAs "Indians" hand nothing to do with the fact that he thought he was in India.