Why do a majority of African Americans claim to be mixed with Native American?

I'm not meaning to come off as an asshole but I've noticed that many black folks claim they're mixed with somethin'. I'm black myself. Both my parents are black. I just find it so damn annoying when most black people I meet say they're 1/4 Cherokee or their great-grandmother was Native American. I mean is all that necessary? They're going to fill out the "African American" bubble on papers anyway

For example look at this- http://www.mediatakeout.c...nside.html

Thoughts?

Where do you live? All the blacks I know claim it fully

midiscover said:

Fury said:

midiscover said:

I'm not meaning to come off as an asshole but I've noticed that many black folks claim they're mixed with somethin'. I'm black myself. Both my parents are black. I just find it so damn annoying when most black people I meet say they're 1/4 Cherokee or their great-grandmother was Native American. I mean is all that necessary? They're going to fill out the "African American" bubble on papers anyway

For example look at this- http://www.mediatakeout.c...nside.html

Thoughts?

because a lot of us are mixed with american indian. and we're part caucasion too.

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

Where do you live? All the blacks I know claim it fully

An estimated 40 to 80 percent of black Americans have American Indian ancestry, an ethnic mix traditionally known as "Zambo," according to an organizer of a new exhibit at the Chicago Park District's South Shore Cultural Center, 7059 South Shore Dr.

Very few people know much about this rich heritage, said Ivan Watkins, who designed "Zambo: A Black Indian Cultural Celebration." The new exhibition, which will be presented by the park district and the Guild Complex through Sept. 8, seeks to redress that omission, said Watkins, a programming specialist for the Park District, for whom work on this event has been a labor of love.

"African Americans often have a hard time retracing family trees.

we all came out of Africa so can we just all be human beings and cut the racial bullshit already....

I bring it up because I've been asked or its talked about or there is a thread on here about it. But its not something I claim to be or make and effort for it to be known. A lot of African Americans are due to integrating with native Americans who let them live with them or due to some Native Americans owning slaves in order to some how assimilate with slave holding whites. I see nothing wrong with acknowledging these facts however. Its apart of history. Why does this bother you? I do understand that some African Americans do emphasize other racial backgrounds due to some form of mild self hatred but thats a whole nutha thread imo.

Fury said:

If it's just acknowledgement of their ancestry, it's fine. But most of the time I hear it, it sounds like the person wants to be something other or more than just black as if that gives them some higher standing or some shit. Most African-Americans are of mixed heritage to some degree but still black in the eyes of society and the po-pos.

And whatever magazine would actually compile a list of hot "mixed" women needs to go out of print IMMEJETLY!!! And someone might want to clue their ignant asses in that Trinidadian and Puerto Rican ain't races.
[Edited 9/2/09 17:19pm]

You don't need directions and you don't need cash. From your Jimmy Choos to your Ultralash. ~ Prince
And when the groove is dead and gone, you know that Love survives so we can rock FOREVER. ~ RIP MJ

Moving to P&R in 5...4...3...2...

Seriously though, I only reference it when asked. For all practical purposes I'm simply black.

my great grandmother was 1/2 cheroke, 1/2 white. her husband was straight up south carolina black. so my grandmother was 1/4 cherokee, my father 1/8 and i'm 1/16th...give or take

Fury said:

SCNDLS said:

If it's just acknowledgement of their ancestry, it's fine. But most of the time I hear it, it sounds like the person wants to be something other or more than just black as if that gives them some higher standing or some shit. Most African-Americans are of mixed heritage to some degree but still black in the eyes of society and the po-pos.

And whatever magazine would actually compile a list of hot "mixed" women needs to go out of print IMMEJETLY!!! And someone might want to clue their ignant asses in that Trinidadian and Puerto Rican ain't races.
[Edited 9/2/09 17:19pm]

squirrelscientist said:

My Father was 1/2 Cherokee

If some of these cats have paperwork that they are a member of a tribe officially?... they have rights to education benefits n shit. If they don't and yet they can prove it. Some of them can go to their local tribal office and fill out paperwork.

Oh and BTW did you also know that Muhammad Ali is half Irish? s'right so before you pop off at the face. get your thang in order

Despite all of the chest thumping and supposed pride we have, there is a LOT of self hate in some us.
Up until a few decades ago if you told a Black person he was African you'd hear "I ain't no damn African and ain't never been to Africa!" That mind set is still with a lot of us and it's as if having a few drops of Indian, white, Asian blood...
hell, being mixed with ANYTHING is better than being PURE AFRICAN.
Slave mentality. This country has really done a mind fuck on us and 400 years of that type of brain washing is NOT GONE yet. 1865 is not that long ago.
Unlike some, when I see brothers and sisters from Africa I admire and actually envy their jet Black complexions. If my great, great, great somebody was Native American or white, it means NOTHING! When you look at me you see an African and I'm proud of it.

IAintTheOne said:

Oh and BTW did you also know that Muhammad Ali is half Irish? s'right so before you pop off at the face. get your thang in order

Lammastide said:

IAintTheOne said:

Oh and BTW did you also know that Muhammad Ali is half Irish? s'right so before you pop off at the face. get your thang in order

No, mate. His mom's grandfather was Irish. That'd make him 1/16 Irish.
[Edited 9/2/09 21:00pm]

joseph8 said:

You don't need directions and you don't need cash. From your Jimmy Choos to your Ultralash. ~ Prince
And when the groove is dead and gone, you know that Love survives so we can rock FOREVER. ~ RIP MJ

IAintTheOne said:

SCNDLS said:

joseph8 said:

Despite all of the chest thumping and supposed pride we have, there is a LOT of self hate in some us.
Up until a few decades ago if you told a Black person he was African you'd hear "I ain't no damn African and ain't never been to Africa!" That mind set is still with a lot of us and it's as if having a few drops of Indian, white, Asian blood...
hell, being mixed with ANYTHING is better than being PURE AFRICAN.
Slave mentality. This country has really done a mind fuck on us and 400 years of that type of brain washing is NOT GONE yet. 1865 is not that long ago.
Unlike some, when I see brothers and sisters from Africa I admire and actually envy their jet Black complexions. If my great, great, great somebody was Native American or white, it means NOTHING! When you look at me you see an African and I'm proud of it.

Say that! BTW, ummmmm, who's that on your avatar?

SCNDLS said:

joseph8 said:

Despite all of the chest thumping and supposed pride we have, there is a LOT of self hate in some us.
Up until a few decades ago if you told a Black person he was African you'd hear "I ain't no damn African and ain't never been to Africa!" That mind set is still with a lot of us and it's as if having a few drops of Indian, white, Asian blood...
hell, being mixed with ANYTHING is better than being PURE AFRICAN.
Slave mentality. This country has really done a mind fuck on us and 400 years of that type of brain washing is NOT GONE yet. 1865 is not that long ago.
Unlike some, when I see brothers and sisters from Africa I admire and actually envy their jet Black complexions. If my great, great, great somebody was Native American or white, it means NOTHING! When you look at me you see an African and I'm proud of it.

Say that! BTW, ummmmm, who's that on your avatar?

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Lammastide said:

SCNDLS said:

Say that! BTW, ummmmm, who's that on your avatar?

It's a beautiful mulatto man!

You don't need directions and you don't need cash. From your Jimmy Choos to your Ultralash. ~ Prince
And when the groove is dead and gone, you know that Love survives so we can rock FOREVER. ~ RIP MJ

RenHoek said:

SCNDLS said:

Say that! BTW, ummmmm, who's that on your avatar?

Oh SCNDLS... I don't know if I should or ...

I know... I'll just

You don't need directions and you don't need cash. From your Jimmy Choos to your Ultralash. ~ Prince
And when the groove is dead and gone, you know that Love survives so we can rock FOREVER. ~ RIP MJ

SCNDLS said:

Lammastide said:

It's a beautiful mulatto man!

Oh really now???

Lammastide said:

SCNDLS said:

Oh really now???

He's hot... so he's gotta be mixed, of course.

You don't need directions and you don't need cash. From your Jimmy Choos to your Ultralash. ~ Prince
And when the groove is dead and gone, you know that Love survives so we can rock FOREVER. ~ RIP MJ

SCNDLS said:

Lammastide said:

He's hot... so he's gotta be mixed, of course.

I'm not sure if he's light-skinded enough to officially be considered hot tho. Where's that brown paper bag when I need it???