why are blacks so quick to claim white or native american heritage?
953983
That is an excellent question, because the same thing once happened to me i was walking around campus when a girl named melissa goes "is your dad like white or indain" and when i said no why would you ask that she goes "your hair is very pretty" that answer upset and astounded me all at the same time, it was an answer of ignorance and i couldnt belive someone would actually think that i was mixed as dark as i am (more like a nice chocolate color) and i have noticed even the most kinky haird girls (i mean no harm) will claim "yeah im 1/3 indain"  "im half spanish" (the new trend) and i will just shake my head, they think its cute and makes them more attractive to guys. I also have heard some say when given a compliment like "your very pretty" they quickly say "yeah my dads half asain" "im half indian" and so on, wich just puts our culture down more and hyping up the steryotype that black women are only beautiful when mixed, which is not true. there is nothing wrong with being black but society has brainwashed everyone to beliveing that there is, and you would think going on past things like slavery and other wars ppl would see its not all that great to be white (no offense to my boyfriend) becuase they always seem to be thinking evil things and doing evil things (hitler anyone) and they are quick to seed away anyone who isnt "pure white" i think black women need to come together and realize balck is beautiful and you could go anywhere else in the world and be praised for your black beauty only in america will we be continuously put down and told when all black you cant be beautiful but thats not true in other countires the darker the better "mixed..thats ok" "black..your gorgeous"
782918
Because of the "one drop rule" that has been ingrained in black people's history in America.  It says that if you have one drop of black blood, you are black.  Also, maybe they just identify more with the black side of them rather than the other side.  It's their prerogative.
991670
they are doing what are in their genes. you know to grab land they killed the native americans. learn from their history
692896
the reasoning behind using african american is that people of african descent across the globe are one of the only groups in the world (along with the gypsies) who really cant pinpoint a place where our ancestors derived from (true they came from africa, but africa is a continent, not a country).  so a couple of years ago in the us, in an attempt to say that we have a heritage too, the term african american was coined.  nowadays tho, most african americans call themselves black because not only does it connect us more with other people of african descent across the globe but it also distinguishes us from white africans.  hope this helped.  oh yea, i think you'd technically be african american.  i had a teacher in highschool from south africa and he said that he does have the option of checkin african american down on applications and what not but he usually puts white or other.
646495
Blacks are not immigrants.......if you were born and raised in the US, you are not an immigrant. Yes our black heritage traces back to Africa but I am not an immigrant. Your whole idea of the black race is screwed up because maybe you watch too much TV, or you applied your few bad run ins with blacks to the entire race which is wrong. Its crazy that your husband is black and you want to change him, in essence you want to strip him of his heritage and want him to embrace what you feel, he say the things he says because he has been a black man all his life in which thats all he know, you can't say anything about him or how he feels towards whites until you lived in a black mans shoes or a black womans shoes for that matter. Your whole stereotype of blacks is crazy. I am black and well educated. If you feel so strongly about the miseducation of the black people why don't you reach out and try to help rather than put us down!! Then the whole religious aspect you are trying to imply is a whole different story and I do not want to get started on that with you because I am a God fearing woman myself..........BE BLESSED!!
806345
Why do black people have to be perpetually angry at the white in order to show that they "respect their roots"?  And African culture isn't "lost", it's still right there, intact, over there in Africa where it belongs.  Black Americans have our own unique culture; and although it originated in Africa, at it's core, our culture is an integral part of American history.  And pardon the hell out of me for not being politically correct, but "African Americans" are African citizens who have recently immigrated here.  The rest of us are just Americans who happen to be black.  \n\nSpeaking of being black and American, slavery ended about 150 years ago.  I'm not saying that everyone should just forget that it happened, but harping about it isn't going to undo or change anything.  NOBODY in the U.S. of A. is currently still alive from back then.  Know your history, but GET ON WITH YOUR LIVES.  \n\nVoodoo?  Gimme a break.  What does voodoo have to do with anything?\n\nNote to Nelly:  Black people in the Caribbean, Central and South America originally came from Africa and were brought over as slaves.  Read your history.
504538
black indians...welllll..there is a tribe that are all black here in the states, link is below. To get BIA card you need to prove blood line, who is your native family ..that sort of thing.
378841
I actually prefer women of color because we have many variation to our heritage.  I find it ironic that "black " is a color and word historically associated with evil, the dark side and anything negative and we as a race have accepted the term as a reference to our heritage.  As to the "white" race, you can not begin to understand why any minority group has a need to identify their race.  This is a "unseen" privilage that you have been entitled to from birth with no questions as to what you would like to be preferred to as a race.  No negative labels were ever given to your race by another cultural or race for the purpose of making them submissive or to feel inadquate.    This is why it is so very easy for "whites" to say, just call yourselves Americans, or why do you have to use the term "African" etc.  There are just a few "whites" that can understand the depth of such an effect on minorities.  It is area of history that should be studied by "Whites" so they can understand why these issues are weigh in minority communities.\n\nIt has nothing to do with being insecure.  Our society changes references to words to fit into the cultural of society.  Just like the "n" word.  Historically it is and will always be a negative term and being directed to African Americans.  It has to due this history.  I don't like being referred by either term.   Our heritage has enough negative terms related to our race, habits, etc.
367220
One question that has been posed through research is that with the rapid rise of diffusion of information in the United States, shouldn't the knowledge gap between blacks and whites be closing?  The answer has generally been that knowledge is increasing for both groups at about the same rate.  So even though blacks now have more access to resources and knowledge, whites, who were already ahead in the race, are also acquiring new knowledge at a high rate, thus staying ahead.
892370
I think I understand what your trying to ask.....you're wondering if the African people distinguish themselves like "I'm Nigerian, I'm Egyptian, I'm from Mali, I'm South African"......etc. I believe they do. I've got two African friends who are Somalians. That's what they call themselves.\n\nNow to the African Americans here in the US. We consider ourselves blacks or African-Americans, because some of our ancestors were African....many can't say "I'm Kenyan" because we don't know where our first African ancestor came from. (By the way "black" means from the darkest to the lightest of us.) I'm black, native indian and caucasian and probably a lot of other ethnicities. But I call myself Indian, because that's what I am predominantly.....I guess your next question will be....is there a difference between Indians? Of course. (smile)
258277
There are.  White history is the norm, so it's just called History.\nWhite entertainment is the norm so it's just called Entertainment.\n\nWhite people have had a longer period of time to arrange college funds and equal rights and are less devastated by the processes.  African Americans are catching up, but still need a leg-up in order to compete. One day, hopefully, there will be no need for either 'black' or 'white'......we shall have all blended together and be truly equal.
1018914
Caucasians in Africa call themselves white or by the  country's name ex: South Afrikaner or Nigerian.  When whites migrate to America they realize it's more advantageous if they call themselves plain old white.  \n\nWon't you do the same thing? Unless you think  blacks have been given too much and need to be be worse off than they are and so you wish to take the tag for yourself just to compete with the - measly - edge you imagine we have. \n\nNo one in their right mind wants to be treated badly and unfairly. I would do the same if I were white too, just so I'll get the automatic privileges whites get.\n\nAfrican American is term reserved for all  blacks - with the option to call foreign blacks by their nationality.\n\nAffirmative Action is less than 40 years, slavery over 400 -you have not yet repaid us in full for those terrible years. Now live with it!!  And I hope when you drop on the floor you never get up!\n\n\nThis is a popular topic in this forum - I'm beginning to realize it's a code to incite.  The people who object to the term African American have no problem calling us the n* word.
1160212
In order to Qualify as an Indian, Either Both your parents was/is Indian,...if not,...then,at Least 1 parent has to be Indian\nand At least one Grandparent has to be Indian,otherwise you AINT Indian! youre just another black or white American person that got some Indian up in em!\n(Just like more than half of ALL Blacks and Whites in this Country!) Uncle Sam AINT Giving Indian Benefits to people that are only 25% Indians!
1187848
Honestly....It's not. Far less than past history. Problem is most blacks bring up the race card against the whites still. Twenty year old kids no nothing of race discrimination, and have no business claiming they're entitled to money from the government due to slavery. The U.S. government owes blacks nothing anymore. The indians bitch less and whites stole everything from them and wiped out most of the tribes too. Trust me. Discrimination isn't so much these days. If you're white you're white. Act white. If you're black, you're black. And act black. But don't claim anything because of your color.
593416
I am glad you asked this question and you have some very good points.  I'm not racial.  I love all people.  I think the problem in America is that noone other than a white man has been president.  No woman, No other race and to me this is sad.  I am a woman and I am bi-racial.  It seems to me that the majority of white people think America is theirs only.  But they are wrong.  Indians were in America first.  White people came from Asia and Europe.  They took over the land here and think everything is theirs.  They don't want to share which is a shame.  Your right, Mexicans are hard working people.  They are very discredited just like black people and its sad.  They are the two strongest races I know.  Black people came through slavery as well as Mexicans.  They have a different culture than us, which to me is exciting.  The thing that gets me is some Amercians are so against any other race but they have these races do yard work, resturant work, most jobs they don't want to do because they think its lower than them.  But one thing they have to remember is that no matter what, When we die we all go back to the dust from which we came.  Just think.  If God made us all the same we, would all be bored to death with living.  I'm proud of you and your husband.  Keep up the good work and keep him happy too.
485486
1)They are putting attention on themselves for some reason.. I think they are the largest heritage is Mexican. They just do that stuff because they don't think completely.. It isn't like us white folk go around with our English heritage; because we fought for our independence from them.. Not all Mexicans see it as being an American at all, and just are here for money.\n2)It keeps a lot of prices in agriculture, cleaning services and landscaping cheap.\n3)A lot of them drop out of school, or are in very low level classes; so they are not with the people that will need education in their lives.\n4-I forgot to add that not all Mexicans are like this.. just a lot of the ones doing their whole heritage thing.. and I did not know they were going around burning our flag.. And they are diffidently not the only ones that do.. But the ones with 2 generations legal, fit completely well into society
1033020
Because black africans tend to be very successful in the US.  It's a slap in the face to all the self-victimized, welfare cultured african-americans who blame all their ills on white racism.  If black africans can come to this country, often with little or nothing, and succeed in a relatively short timeframe, it proves that the racism that the african american leaders, such as Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson, claim to be pervasive, doesn't exist at all.\n\nBottom line:  It proves to the african american population that they are largely lazy, ignorant failures...and it's all self-inflicted.