The dilemma of genealogy

[Veronni]

Just a note of commentary.

I've spent the past hour surfing this site and it disappoints me greatly that the lineage debate is lively and productive as long as the issue of African American lineage is excluded.

There was an individual who said he would like a nickel for every Black claiming Blackfoot heritage. I read other postings from white Blackfoot descendants that ensure they caveat they possess no Black lineage. There was yet another who indicated that thousands of Blacks are falsely claiming indian lineage in an attempt to run and hide from their ethnicity (as if one could).

Why aren't these same issues highlighted with respect to other groups? When do we stop attempting to intellectualize ignorance, and malignant myopic assumptions in hopes of dispelling underlying fears of one persistent reality,CULTURES(PEOPLE)INTERMINGLE!?

Moreover, why do these arguments presume that a mass (Blackfoot) exodus must've occurred inorder for race mixing to happen? What about individual, coupling as well as individual familial migrations?

The mandated 'westernization' of Indian cultures (via White economic, physical and geographic dislocation of tribes) and in many cases the resulting need to assimilate into the Euro-centric landscape for economic and social survival meant many Indian lineages were dislocated/fragmented. Portions of tribes remained in tact. Of course mass migrations occured as well...

It saddens me that there is never consistent consideration of Blacks in discussions of ethnicity. Is it so repugnant a thought that individuals from two disparaged groups (Blacks/Indians - irrespective of tribal linkage) might find one another? No white slave owners or abolitionists impregnated Black women creating mixed blood children?

Are US whites the only people allowed to possess a rich, multi-ethnic lineage? Why continue to de-humanize Blacks to quell phobias?

I'm French, Blackfoot, African American and more. I have the right to claim that heritage as well as any other American. I am proud of my multi-ethnicity in the midst of an American 'melting pot' which at times is so bigoted to this present day that any admission of an iota of black blood, is tantamount to being Black. I've never seen that paradigm used in conjunction with any other ethnic population. And THAT'S progress?

[clen99]

Veronni--I agree there seems to be racist gaps in communicating genealogy. I find it disappointing and discouraging as well. If you are "white" you can't talk about Blacks or Indians in the family. I don't know how it is for other people--but my family--the whole lot of 'em--refuse to discuss anyone who shares our surnames who isn't "white." And, of course, those of us in the family that don't look quite "white" are presumed to be white no matter what.

However, I wanted to share with you that there is research going on amongst remanent families of Lenape or Nanticoke in DE and while it is obvious that relatives, ancestors, cousin are/were Indian/Black/white our discussions seem to just be about recovering a hushed heritage and how to help each other--inclusive of who we are now.

I, for one, want to know all of my family and how they lived--inclusive of every tradition, folk way, "color", you-name-it. When you think about it, "you" are the culmination of all that genealogy before you. You could cut off the tip of your pinky, I suppose, if you thought that's where the "undesirable" genetics or heritage resides, however, I love my pinky--and the rest of what I'm made of and I want to love and understand it all.

Lee

[Linda]

I think some of the conversations you saw are a bit out of context. Many of those on this forum or in the groups associated with it, are identified as black by the outside world and all our relationships are as cousins, spouses, parents, children. We're getting ready right now for a family reunion encompassing the above, so I can't say more at the moment.

[CoheeLady]

To Veronni,
In regards to your commentary on the topic of African Americans being left out, here's why. Many American Indians still remember the pain that they went through, as the racists of the past tried to make them Black, by changing their birth certificates, from Indian to Black. My state, in the early 1900's to 1960's this was done to American Indians on reservations & those that were also married into European families. My family was on a list, which has been called "Plecker's Hit List". So, without this information, I can understand your emotional agitation at the way that others speak, in referance to African Americans. But you didn't understand the reason why American Indians are putting distance between themselves & those that are African American. In Virginia people fought for their true identity as Indian, while being called negro, while Afican American's were called the true negro. Still even though years have passed many people in Va., believe the racist's lies of the past, so distance is the only defense. I however, will not allow the hatred of the past to determine who I talk to or am friends with. I am European & Cherokee. I don't like being treated different, but I am. I go out in public & strangers ask me "What nationality are you", "Are you ever going to cut your hair it's so long", "Your Indian aren't you?", etc, etc.., I get evil looks as if I don't belong, but then again I really don't care!
Sincerely,
CoheeLady

[vance hawkins]

If I ever did that I appologize. it wasn't my intention.

I am unenrolled and mentioned "I have photo's of ancestors who look full blood Indian". I also mentioned I had an ancestor on the slave schedule census in arkansas and didn't know what that meant. An enrolled Cherokee immediately replied "mixed white and Blacks can look like full blood Indian." this might have been a comment i made elsewhere, i don't recall. I replied I never heard of any Blacks in the family. This was not a put-down but a statement of fact as far as I know it to be.

it is possible there were Blacks in my ancestry and if there are I am not ashamed of it. If I gave that impression I appologize publicly here & now, & wanna publicly affirm I'd be proud to have Black ancestors. I just don't think I do, and I might be wrong about that http://winwinworld.net/SaponiForum/UBB/smile.gif

vance hawkins

[screaming eagle]

osiyo,this topic has long been a cancer in our society,this of course has bee by design.you must study indian history to really understand why this black blood curse thing came about.you im sure have heard the old saying,they had to do what they had to do.indians suffered much beacause of there willingness to help africans,this included loss of land,broken treaties,forced removal,and loss of indian status.remember the one drop rule!and yes blacks were punished for there willingness to provide insight in dealing with whites.this and much more are a result of this problem.you must study cherokees,lumbee,seminole,and triracial history to see how it all went down.i myself seem to get the black indian jacket and just learned to now educate ignorant people.after all if you study deep you will find even most colonial white decendents are of some indian,black,melungeon blood and thats a fact.bye for now....

[Linda]

There are, of course, some purely Indian descended people who have lived with generations of paper genocide as they were categorized as "colored." What's very VERY peculiar are all the people I've come across who really truly are OBVIOUSLY tri-racial who have an intense hatred of their black/indian cousins, who to my poor ignorant eyes look no more African descended than they do. As Alice would say, it just gets curiouser and curioser.

The things is, irregardless of what other ancestries one has, if part of your family has been negated in this way it's an open sore. That's a common thread for us all.

[-cr21-]

I was curious about the North Carolina census and how they categorize people. My family in nw NC were listed as "fpc"...free persons of color