I have a question. At my job when I am screening stories I have to ask their description. It is so funny b/c some people don't know what Caucasian is and so when I ask them "are you Caucasian, African American, Asian, or Hispanic, etc." there is dead air like they're thinking "I am none of those" and then they say "I am white" or "I am American". I remember filling out cards on the bus I rode in elementary school marking that I was Caucasian. I can't imagine these people have made it so far in life without knowing what Caucasian meant. Also, for some reason people like to add that they are part "Indian" too. They don't know how much, or where it came from, but they just know they have "Indian" in them. I think this is hilarious b/c even if these people have "Indian" in them, it is probably so minuet that why do they bother even telling me. It is like everyone's claim to fame or something. Furthermore, and correct me if I am wrong, but "Indians" don't refer to themselves as "Indians". I thought they called themselves "Native Americans". Isn't that the politically correct way to say it? And if you were true Native American, wouldn't you know that it is an insult to be called "Indian"? I am not an expert on this topic by all means, so if anyone else has insight on this I would like to know. On that note, it feels like in society today that it is socially acceptable to also refer to African Americans as black. It seems like in the news and stuff that it isn't politically incorrect to say black anymore. With people throwing around terms like racist though, I am still too scared to say black in fear that I will be labeled a racist. So does anyone else know the latest about that issue as well?
![[Comments]](/nb//themes/Default/comments.png "6 comments")
(6) Tue Mar 09 2004 13:04:
Shame on Booner for giving me his cold! I wonder how I got it from him though...ah well, it isn't his fault.
- Comments:
Posted by Rachel at Tue Mar 09 2004 18:19
If someone told me they were Indian I would assume they were from India.
Posted by John at Tue Mar 09 2004 21:34
There are a lot of benefits if you can prove you are a certain percentage of "Indian," and I think that is why people say that. My neighbor had worse grades than I but got a full-ride scholarship and stipend to the U. Of course, it's only the U so I wasn't so jealous, but seriously, just because he was part "Indian" he got a scholarship. So maybe they think you have a benefit to convey for them too.
Posted by Frances at Wed Mar 10 2004 12:41
Real "Native Americans", however, don't call themselves "Indian" or even Native American. They identify with their tribe, ie, "I'm half Chumash." My kids are part Native American, but they are 1/32 and you have to be 1/8 to get the benefits.
Posted by Kristen at Wed Mar 10 2004 14:41
I see, I would imagine you have to be more than 1/8 to get benefits. What I find is funny is that some people are the opposite. Like if they are half white half hispanic, they'll say "I consider myself to just be hispanic" or something to that effect. Like they just erase the other part of them.
Posted by Susie at Wed Mar 10 2004 20:01
What bugs me is how *everyone* claims to have had hair down to their bum when they were younger. That's not as important, but it still bugs me.
Posted by Kristen at Thu Mar 11 2004 15:57
That is funny. Is that your claim to fame Susie? Alyson did have hair that long b/c my mom wouldn't let her cut it, but I never did.