Ranting thread

[Yiwah]

Perhaps it's mean, but I can't help rolling my eyes when I see or hear certain things.  Mostly involving bizarre statements about what Aboriginal people are like, or about being 1/32 Cherokee etc. 

No need to start up fraud threads on people who just speak out of ignorance, but I wouldn't mind having a bit of a rant thread and possible discussion on the issues the rants raise.

So here's something I came across on a Facebook page recently to illustrate what I mean.

"I lived 43 years on this Earth before I learned I was Native (1/8th Cherokee--I was adopted). The other 7/8ths is Dutch, Irish and German. So I look "white enough" and I was raised to believe I was Caucasian

But I've always had a strong affinity for Natives and Native culture. I finally know why. And if I have to spend hours in a tanning booth to "prove" I'm Native? Well... just because you can't see it on the outside doesn't mean it's not on the inside."

Huh?  "Raised to believe I was Caucasian"?

Honey, get real.  You aren't native just because you have 1/8th Cherokee blood.  I mean, does someone who is 1/8th Han Chinese suddenly call themselves Han even if they were raised 'to believe [they were] Caucasian'?  And this 'affinity for native culture' like 'blood calling out to blood'.  You hear it a lot with the new agers too. 

Anyway.  It's a pet peeve.  Up there with people claiming to be Metis because they're like, a quarter Ojibwe or something.

[wolfhawaii]

Glad you were able to get that off your chest.

[Yiwah]

I notice people tend to get huffy when Aboriginal people mock their attempts at cultural appropriation.

[wolfhawaii]

We're here for you, dear ;)