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Helpare you by any chance Indian?
in reply to a message by Caelesti
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.
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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Replies
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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