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HelpRe: Do you just find it disrespectful because you don't like the name? [nt]
in reply to a message by Alyia
Okay. But it's still yet to be explained why exactly it is so disrespectful.
Archived Thread - replies disabled
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Replies
Use search, 'disrespectful.' I don't have time to explain it. Sorry. 'Night.
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I agree with it being disreprectful to Natives
I agree with the others that using Dakota, Cheyenne and other tribal names for children is disrepectful. Cultural appropriation to be more specific. It basically seems like whites (and perhaps some African-Americans/Canadians) use the names with a romanticized idea of American Indians like Disney's Pocahontas or something. And I think people have the same mentality with "India", China, Persia and such.
This is different than calling your kid Brittany, Scott, Erin or Frenchie- we didnt go in and commit genocide against those peoples and then steal aspects of their culture.
I agree with the others that using Dakota, Cheyenne and other tribal names for children is disrepectful. Cultural appropriation to be more specific. It basically seems like whites (and perhaps some African-Americans/Canadians) use the names with a romanticized idea of American Indians like Disney's Pocahontas or something. And I think people have the same mentality with "India", China, Persia and such.
This is different than calling your kid Brittany, Scott, Erin or Frenchie- we didnt go in and commit genocide against those peoples and then steal aspects of their culture.
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I don't find it offensive at all, as all the Dakotas and Cheyennes I've known have been named in honor of these tribes. Also, I seriously doubt your theory of parents naming their children Dakota and Cheyenne after "American Indians like Disney's Pocahontas or something".
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This is utter nonsense.
This is the silliest comment I've read on this message board. You obviously know nothing of Irish history and the crimes the English committed there. There are many examples of downtrodden people in the world, nations that have been abused by other nations, Native Americans do not have the lock on this. Should I consider all world attrocities, committed by other people, when naming my child? Should I stick to names from my own narrow cultural background for fear of offending people?
This is the silliest comment I've read on this message board. You obviously know nothing of Irish history and the crimes the English committed there. There are many examples of downtrodden people in the world, nations that have been abused by other nations, Native Americans do not have the lock on this. Should I consider all world attrocities, committed by other people, when naming my child? Should I stick to names from my own narrow cultural background for fear of offending people?
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are you by any chance Indian?
Becauseas an Indian (not Native, natives run around the jungle with spears and bones through their noses) I always find it amusing when white people take it upon themselves to decide what is disrespectful to Indian culture. It just screams "Look at me, look how noble and PC I am!"
Having said that: I do not find it "disrespectful" when whites and blacks name their kids stuff like Dakota and Cheyenne and such. I do find it ironic, and kind of pretentious, but am not offended by it or feel disrespected. Most of those parents just chose the name because of it being popular, or because they liked the sound. Not out of any desire for "cultural appropriation."
And as for your assertion that white Americans "went in and practiced genocide" on Indians and that's why it's disrespectful to use those names, that is about the flimsiest argument ever. As Elinor said, if that was a valid artgument then it would be morally wrong for anybody of British descent to name a kid Erin, or anybody of German descent to use Brittany. And if "practicing genocide" against a country or people in the past makes it wrong to use that country's name or the names of its people, then why do yo find China and India to be disrespectful? The US never practiced genocide on either of them.
I agree there is a lot of romanticized ideas about Indians, like that we're all gifted with some sixth sense and can sense things other people can't. But so what? You don't think Americans have romanticized ideas about IRish people? When you can't turn around without tripping over somebody obsessed with elves and fairy folk and Celtic myths?
Every culture has preconceived notions abot othe cultures. It's natural and normal and not a problem as long as we are not so bound by those notions that we refuse to find out anything about those other cultures.
Becauseas an Indian (not Native, natives run around the jungle with spears and bones through their noses) I always find it amusing when white people take it upon themselves to decide what is disrespectful to Indian culture. It just screams "Look at me, look how noble and PC I am!"
Having said that: I do not find it "disrespectful" when whites and blacks name their kids stuff like Dakota and Cheyenne and such. I do find it ironic, and kind of pretentious, but am not offended by it or feel disrespected. Most of those parents just chose the name because of it being popular, or because they liked the sound. Not out of any desire for "cultural appropriation."
And as for your assertion that white Americans "went in and practiced genocide" on Indians and that's why it's disrespectful to use those names, that is about the flimsiest argument ever. As Elinor said, if that was a valid artgument then it would be morally wrong for anybody of British descent to name a kid Erin, or anybody of German descent to use Brittany. And if "practicing genocide" against a country or people in the past makes it wrong to use that country's name or the names of its people, then why do yo find China and India to be disrespectful? The US never practiced genocide on either of them.
I agree there is a lot of romanticized ideas about Indians, like that we're all gifted with some sixth sense and can sense things other people can't. But so what? You don't think Americans have romanticized ideas about IRish people? When you can't turn around without tripping over somebody obsessed with elves and fairy folk and Celtic myths?
Every culture has preconceived notions abot othe cultures. It's natural and normal and not a problem as long as we are not so bound by those notions that we refuse to find out anything about those other cultures.
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Huh?
I really don't know what term to use now. I thought "Native American" was the correct term, considering that "Indian" is derived from Columbus's geographical misconception? Am I seriously misinformed here?
As far as I know "native" means the same as "indigenous". Surely indigenous people have been stereotyped and misrepresented by colonialists (and, considering your comment that they "run around the jungle with spears and bones through their noses", many still are) - but I've never heard that the term "native" has been dismissed for that. I mean, "native country" and "native tongue" are generally used, aren't they? Couldn't a travel guide say "the natives" for "the locals"?
So, what is the correct term to refer to all the different nations of "Native Americans" as a whole? You're using "Indian" - but outside of North American that means predominantly "pertaining to India". I suppose "American Indian" is the way to go, but would that include Canadian Indians? I'm really confused now.
I really don't know what term to use now. I thought "Native American" was the correct term, considering that "Indian" is derived from Columbus's geographical misconception? Am I seriously misinformed here?
As far as I know "native" means the same as "indigenous". Surely indigenous people have been stereotyped and misrepresented by colonialists (and, considering your comment that they "run around the jungle with spears and bones through their noses", many still are) - but I've never heard that the term "native" has been dismissed for that. I mean, "native country" and "native tongue" are generally used, aren't they? Couldn't a travel guide say "the natives" for "the locals"?
So, what is the correct term to refer to all the different nations of "Native Americans" as a whole? You're using "Indian" - but outside of North American that means predominantly "pertaining to India". I suppose "American Indian" is the way to go, but would that include Canadian Indians? I'm really confused now.
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I suppose "American Indian" is the way to go, but would that include Canadian Indians? I'm really confused now.
America is a continent that includes Canada, so yes. I know "America" is commonly used to refer to the United States, but technically it refers to the continent as a whole.
America is a continent that includes Canada, so yes. I know "America" is commonly used to refer to the United States, but technically it refers to the continent as a whole.
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Indian
I have been told by many Native Americans that the terms Indian (which generally means from India) and Native are both not acceptable terms. I was told that Native American is okay, though a little bit odd sounding it is acceptable. As a whole that is the term you would use, but calling them by the name of their tribe or group is more acceptable and generally encouraged. I live in Alaska, so we have plenty of Native Americans here. People call them Natives, but only in bad situations (which goes to show that the term is negative). Example: "The natives are always drunk and beating on their wives." as opposed to "The Yupik are starting a whale hunt this week." You catch the drift?
I know the term Native is acceptable when used as "native country" "native tongue", but over time the word (atleast here in Alaska) has been given only negative connotations when speaking about groups or individuals.
I have been told by many Native Americans that the terms Indian (which generally means from India) and Native are both not acceptable terms. I was told that Native American is okay, though a little bit odd sounding it is acceptable. As a whole that is the term you would use, but calling them by the name of their tribe or group is more acceptable and generally encouraged. I live in Alaska, so we have plenty of Native Americans here. People call them Natives, but only in bad situations (which goes to show that the term is negative). Example: "The natives are always drunk and beating on their wives." as opposed to "The Yupik are starting a whale hunt this week." You catch the drift?
I know the term Native is acceptable when used as "native country" "native tongue", but over time the word (atleast here in Alaska) has been given only negative connotations when speaking about groups or individuals.
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But ...
The parents of the 90's and 00's who call their kids Dakota and Cheyenne ... they didn't "go in and commit genocide" against Native Americans.
I don't see how it's any worse than a British-descended American naming their daughter Ireland. Not so long ago the British gave the Irish a lot of crap. But it's nothing to do with the modern parents who have romantic associations instead.
The parents of the 90's and 00's who call their kids Dakota and Cheyenne ... they didn't "go in and commit genocide" against Native Americans.
I don't see how it's any worse than a British-descended American naming their daughter Ireland. Not so long ago the British gave the Irish a lot of crap. But it's nothing to do with the modern parents who have romantic associations instead.
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I think you'll find that the term "natives" is considered downright disrespectful by most people . . .
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Hey, if you call the Natives "Indians" around here they'll beat the crap out of you! In Canada they are offically and commonly called Natives (as "native" means that their people "occur naturally" or are indigeneous to this area, whereas the rest of us were transported here) and are either called First Nations, First Peoples, or their tribe name otherwise.
I am not native myself, but can we please stop getting hung up on nomenclature.
I am not native myself, but can we please stop getting hung up on nomenclature.
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Bahahaha
You're telling people on a naming board to stop getting so hung up over nomenclature.
Can we please all relish the irony for a moment?
And sorry, but you're wrong. Native Canadians might not object to being referred to as "the natives", but for almost every other minority culture the term is highly offensive and harks back to colonialism and White Superiority. Most ask that you use the correct term or none at all.
You're telling people on a naming board to stop getting so hung up over nomenclature.
Can we please all relish the irony for a moment?
And sorry, but you're wrong. Native Canadians might not object to being referred to as "the natives", but for almost every other minority culture the term is highly offensive and harks back to colonialism and White Superiority. Most ask that you use the correct term or none at all.
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Some Indians I know do not like being called Indians because that is the name they were given (as in all the familiar tribe names). They prefer Native Americans (or simply Natives) because they are indeed Natives to the land.
The barbaric Native stereotypes I have heard are usually talking about Natives in Africa counties - which are mostly just stereotypes and not true at all.
The barbaric Native stereotypes I have heard are usually talking about Natives in Africa counties - which are mostly just stereotypes and not true at all.
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