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Is it taboo to mention “Black People” or whatever on this forum? Sad……….. Guess what we Black People, BLACK INDIANS, or whatever are here even if those of you who do get OFFENDED by the term.
Also, I will not apologize for referring to myself as a Black Indian. Yes, I am a blended and beautiful young woman:)
God’s Princess.
Hey Erica, Iam not sure where this is coming from and I am a bit concerned.
Like I have posted many times, I am not offended that you use the term “black Indian”., there are “white Indians” so why is it that the term “black Indian” may have caused concerns for others?
Iam still very much okay with you refering to yourself in the terms that make you most comfortable.
I could care less if others are offended by the term it’s yours in refering to yourself so why would anyone have a problem with that.
From what I have read from all of your posts I know that I’d like you in person as much as I do on the forum!
Like many things in life, “Saponi Town” does have it’s ups and downs, if for some reason there is no responce or very little to a post doesn’t mean that we are not reading them it may just mean that others may not have an opinion, which believe me in my case may be a good thing not to post.,
hang in there, I’ve become accustomed to seeing you here and I really hate change, so stick around.
HAve a great day!
Erica,
I second what Tom has shared; call yourself whatever you want to, this shows you are secure in who you are. I have different features and am often asked what nationality I am, it can at times be irritating, but I am who I am also… Take care, and as Tom said, “Hang Around!” 🙂 🙂
Shirley
I think most of us feel that way one way or another. For me, I’ve spent a lot of time in “black” Indian circles and oftentimes felt that I was being dismissed as “just” white. Sometimes the dynamics played out in very humiliating and destructive ways.
One of the really interesting things about this resurgence of Indian identity and allegiance is the way people from the “races,” as defined by ante-bellum legislatures, are now being thrown back together in more natural ways, reaffirming family ties formerly run asunder by racial assignations. It’s an upheaval, with lots and lots of baggage. It can be very painful, but it’s all part of a growth that, I believe, in the end is worthwhile. In short, there’s meaning to your suffering, cousin, and that, they say, makes it much more survivable.
Hi Erica,
OMG hon, is someone giving you a bad time? Let me at them! I love reading your posts and seeing your sweet face.
You are one of my favorite posters here. When I see your face on a post I know it is going to be a good one and that you have something interesting to say. And like Tom said, I know you and I would also get along so well if we lived close enough to hang together. (even though I am old and you are young).
If someone has a problem with you being a ‘black indian’ or saying that you are a black indian then that’s their problem! Genetics are genetics, if you are black and indian, then that’s what you are. And if someone gets ticked off about the term..then they can go jump off of the cliff!!
grrr.. It makes me angry that someone might harrass you or give you a hard time. And good for you that you are proud of who you are and that you are not afraid to speak up for yourself.
Please know that you are loved here on Saponi Town and don’t you dare let anyone intimidate or harrass you into being anything else but the wonderful person you are!
grrr.. let me at em. 😡 Oh man! Even the fact that you have had to ask such a question ticks me off! How dare anyone offend you or make you feel ‘less than’. If someone on Saponi Town has done that I hope they get booted right off!!
Saponi hugs to you.
I want to thank you all for your encouraging words because I’ve been feeling a little upset. Some Not All Native Americans that I’ve met suggested that I choose…………I either be BLACK or be INDIAN. I am NOT going to choose because that would be a slap in ALL of my ancestor’s faces. Their blending together created me 🙂
Psalm 139: 13-14
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Praise the Creator because I am HIS CHILD and he could care less what bloodline I have flowing in my veins.
Again, thank you all for your kind words. Yes, I was a little heated but I will choose to think happy thoughts :p
Erica
I love that Psalm. It’s one of my favorites. 🙂
I’m glad we have been able to help a little. I’m going to attempt to send you a private email. So look for one from a Paltia@aol.com
Erica, your ancestry is your ancestry. If the way you choose to describe yourself, “Black Indian”, is accurately descriptive, why change?
As to having to choose between being “Black” or “Indian”? Nawwwwww. Indians have been taking things from other cultures and adapting them for use in the local tribal culture forever. Indian cultures have always been changing and adaptive, not static. So you celebrate your Indianness differently than the next person.
Some people are just scared to find out who some of their relations are, especially the relatives that don’t look the same as they do. Living in denial of facts is a general human trait, which it seems that you’re unfortunately running into.
I’d guess many of us have run into something similar. I know I have most of my life, and it continues today. What others have said about being yourself is the only way to live.
And what Linda said above is quite true. There is an upheavel going on today, and it is painful, but it will have rewards in the future.
Erica..your tag line says it all….God’s child. And that’s all that really matters. Yes, there are going to be times that are trying as far as people trying to categorize you….but, what you think is the most important. As someone that is “white”, I face the other type of challenge….”You’re part Indian? What part?”….I just let it go. I know what I feel and that’s all that matters. You are who you are…God’s child.
Erica, you got my e-mail but I thought this might be a good place and time to share this item I received last evening.
A holy man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said,
“Lord, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like.” The Lord led
the holy man to two doors. He opened one of the doors and the holy man
looked in. In the middle of the room was a large round table. In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew which smelled delicious and
made the holy man’s mouth water.
The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly. They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long handles that were
strapped to their arms and each found it possible to reach into the pot of
stew and take a spoonful, but because the handle was longer than their
arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths. The holy man
shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering. The Lord said, “You
have seen Hell.”
They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same as the first one. There was the large round table with the large pot of stew
which made the holy man’s mouth water. The people were equipped with the same long – handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking. The holy man said, “I don”t understand.” ” It
is simple” said the Lord, “It requires but one skill. You see, they have learned
to feed each other, while the greedy think only of themselves.”
There is a Holy Scripture that says it most profoundly, “Pride goes before a fall and a haughty spirit before Destruction.” We should know our self worth and that only because we have been created in His image and He has breathed into us the Breath of Life. We should never walk in Arrogance and Self Pride based on foolish physical accomplishment or atribute. Ed, Shell Man
Re: Message #4
Linda,it’s sad that some black NDN’s ragged on you for being/looking
‘white” instead of rallying around what y’all have in common.What hypocrits!:mad: I wasn’t there but I’d be willing to bet most of those who treated you in that rude way are themselves triracial.Send ’em up here;I’ll give them a good cussing out:D
But,seriously,I agree with what you are saying in the 2nd paragraph.The
“resurgence of Indian identity and allegiance” is a byproduct of the increasing
interest in geneology among US residents.This is challenging the “racial assignations”,as you say it,that we’ve inherited from the slavery/Reconstruction/Jim crow eras.
Of course,there’s going to be some baggage,but as I’ve said before, finding out about and honoring the ancestors will be one factor in healing our land of its racial demons.
Roca
Of course,there’s going to be some baggage,but as I’ve said before, finding out about and honoring the ancestors will be one factor in healing our land of its racial demons.
AHO
Peace Yall,
Erica, I just visited some of my family and found out that they let a lot of our connection to each other fall apart over “Black Indian” and “White Indian”- so hang in there, it’s worth it. Sometimes we have both “looks” in the same family. The common thread is that both know they’re NDN; and that can be most down played of all. We’ve all got a lot of lovin and healin to do. The older ones died, and the younger ones kept asking, what are those black people doing in your house, or what are those white people doing in your house, and nobody “chose” to speak up, so people got tired of feeling uncomfortable and stopped associating with each other. Same blood, same names, same small town.
akhasa
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