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kendsley, there are some American Indians who would say "yes". There is a push by some to be called "American Indians" not "Native Americans". The argument is that everyone born in America is a native American.
Second, the conquistadors did not discover America. They explored the land and exploited & murdered the people. Just clearing that up.
So I didn't discover a quaint little bistro downtown because someone was already there eating at table 3? (for the record, I didn't murder the people I discovered there ;-)
It's an offensive term to most American Indians. It's like saying you "discovered" someone's living room then proceeded to murder the people there or ship them off to their own camps. I don't use the word to describe the conquering of the Americas anymore than I say Alexander the Great discovered India or Afghanistan. "Conquered" is the correct term. Say "discovered", if you like. There are many people who view the use of that term in reference to America (North & South) as a lack of knowledge or apathy about the true events that took place here.
You're probably right, but let's be honest: in this day and age, you can hardly say anything that isn't going to offend someone. It might be different if we were all Americans rather than Hyphenated Americans, but that'll have to happen first before we'll know for sure.
Fred, I agree with you. I do, however, try to sensitive to others. Moreover, I have studied American Indian culture and history, as well as American history, so I prefer to call things what they are. It was a conquest not a "discovery" like the moon landing (using ABQ's definition).
They still discovered America, which lead to all the conquering and killing and stuff. Many of the Indian tribes were not innocent either. They conquered, killed and enslaved other tribes. The Europeans just did it better/worse than they did.
I suppose Alexander the Great discovered Afghanistan. Better change the textbooks. The American Indians, according to eyewitnesses including Columbus himself, welcomed the Spanish and aided them until they were unexpectedly ambushed. The OP didn't ask about discovery v. conquest, however. It's embarrassing and enraging that European Americans justify the rape, murder, & torture of the Indians in the 16th & 17th centuries with inaccurate arguments, but that's the topic for a new thread.
Alexander the Great already knew where the countries were that he was attacking. The discovering part is not knowing where something is. If I didn't know where my keys were and discovered them in the couch, that's different than having a map to show me that my keys are on the key ring and knowing that they'd be there.
Anyway, our country has America in the name, United States of America. I'm not aware of any other country in North or South America that has America in its name. We are using an abbreviated form by pulling from our official name. Other countries can also call themselves North, Central or South American.
It's an offensive term to most American Indians. It's like saying you "discovered" someone's living room then proceeded to murder the people there or ship them off to their own camps. I don't use the word to describe the conquering of the Americas anymore than I say Alexander the Great discovered India or Afghanistan. "Conquered" is the correct term. Say "discovered", if you like. There are many people who view the use of that term in reference to America (North & South) as a lack of knowledge or apathy about the true events that took place here.
I am sure that when southerner went to england in WWII some were offended to be called yank. Butt ehy got iover and so should the Indians. Its much about nothing when epopel don;t have something else to gripe about;IMO.
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