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Is The Subject Of Native Americans Sensitive?

Is The Subject Of Native Americans Sensitive?

If a person that is not Native American discusses the subject matter of the same does that offend you?

Sensitive Americans Native Subject Is

While I am not Native American, I have met several and been friends with two and all have been a little touchy on Native American issues. They mostly felt as if it was their business, in their peoples business, and didn't want me discussing it, like I didn't have the right. One good example was reservation casino's. Especially his parents really put it to me that it was not my peoples business or decision. It was very much like a grudge against me that was obviously through my ancestors. It wasn't like a land grudge, but more like they had just been raised that way, not that they even really knew why they were upset any more. They still liked me and let us play together, but I understood that I didn't discuss politics or religion at all because there was no way I could understand their political views or religion.

Is The Subject Of Native Americans Sensitive? History & Civil Business Politics

Well it depends on what is being said. I am a quarter cherokee and do a lot of the native american things, I am more intouch with the native american side of myself then the others. So yeah I guess you would say that some of the subjects make me sensitive, especially when someone talks down about the native american culture or starts to blame us for what had happened in the past.

Sensitive Americans Native Subject Is

I am not a Native American but why would that offend me? This is like a German not able to speak about the Holocaust to a Jewish friend. If some Native Americans are offended easily then they need to work on their own insecurities just like everybody else.

Sensitive Americans Native Subject Is

I have found that a lot of American Indians I have met online are:

1. Defensive and aggressive to anyone inquisitive about their Culture
2. Instead of taking the time to explain they try to persuade you to forget about it
3. Assume that any interest in American Indian culture is because you are seeking to bring them into disrepute

Of course I have met those who have been kind and shared a lot of information with us here, but the number is very few. I am amazed at how many have accused me of being in league with 'White' men for some reason - strange.

Is The Subject Of Native Americans Sensitive?

Well we do get defensive, that's for sure. But you have to understand that we are undergoing something that is known as "cultural genocide". This is basically where Non-Native American people are gathering the beliefs of various native tribes, often the religious beliefs, and making them their own. The best example of this is the New Age religion, I would say.

We do not appreciate this. Unlike Christianity or Islam, our traditional religion and spirituality cannot be practiced by just any old person who isn't native. People can't just "convert" to "Native American". And you see, there is really no line drawn between our culture and our religions. They are interconnected with each other. So who can blame us if we get defensive, even hostile when outsiders come in trying to learn about us?

Believe me, I wish it wasn't that way. I'm a fairly good judge of character. If I meet a person who seems genuinely interested, and comes with humility and respect to learn about my people, I am willing to help in any way I can. Others are not like, this, though, and they believe that the knowledge that belongs to us should stay only with our people. There are good arguments for both sides.

Is Subject Native Americans Sensitive

Sorry, there is one thing to be defensive and then another to be ignorant. If one is trying to learn of your culture then one must be taught about it to KNOW what makes you tick. In other words you (you as in general) want respect, but are unwilling to share what you expect. You want dues, but you do not say what those dues are... you instead just make hasty judgements and ignorant sentiments that paint an ugly picture.

If you stay secluded and make rash statements then all you do is paint the WRONG picture. In fact I believe many American Indians (individuals, not whole Nations) are a very poor representative to their kind. They say they want to 'protect' their culture when all they do is feed fire to the same thing they say they are trying to protect.

Given there are many like yourself who have intelligently enlightened us as to what is kosher and what is not, the problem is there are too few of you online. You imparted some knowledge, which is wisdom, something I am sure most Elders would be pleased with.

Lastly, being overly sensitive is usually based on allowing things to affect you that most times are just not there. If everything is problem then really in the end you are the problem, not everything else.

Is Subject Native Americans Sensitive Politics Business Civil & History

I'm afraid it is just the way of many of our people. You must understand that when your people have undergone over 500 years of abuse, slavery, genocide, deportation, racism, etc., you start to withdraw from the people you believe have done these things to you and yours. I guess you have probably noticed that we are a tight-knit community. A common belief is that "If you just ignore them, they'll go away." and that often proves true. I can see both sides.

But there are other cultures I know nothing about. If I asked questions of someone from another cultural group respectfully then I would expect a respectful answer back. Maybe that is just me. Some things cannot be answered for religious or traditional reasons, but if that is the case, I will tell you so. I won't tell you you're being stupid or something.

To stamp out the ignorance about our people that is rampant, we must be willing to teach them. This is what my tribe and I believe. But if other natives want to stay withdrawn with those of their own race, I don't blame them. That is their right. The ones who have persecuted us deserve nothing from us.

I also think there are bad representatives of everyone's culture. You must always carry yourself with pride in your people, no matter who your people may be. My philosophy is that if all of my people walk with pride, we will erase the stereotype of "drunken hostile good-for-nothing lazy Indians" or whatever it is these days. Trust me, I've heard it all.