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What I had asked before, and what I am asking now is a question of semantics. I'm an American who lives in Malaysia. In Malaysia, it is very common to hear Malaysians refer to Native Americans as "Red Indians." When I first heard it I was shocked because I had never heard that term before and it reminded me a bit of the Washington Redskins debate. But then I thought, "why am I the one getting uncomfortable hearing this term...I'm not even Native American." The Malaysians I know aren't using it to be offensive. They're using to differentiate American Indians from Indians from India.
So my question to my Native American/American Indian/First Nations friends is: Do you consider the term "Red Indian" offensive?
**I'd like to ask everyone responding NOT to turn this into a debate about "political correctness" or as an excuse to air your racist views.***
Last edited by Ibginnie; 11-27-2014 at 06:56 PM..
Reason: discussing moderation
The term was initially given to tribes who painted their faces red and it denoted the term mighty warrior where the Washington Redskins got their name.
The term was initially given to tribes who painted their faces red and it denoted the term mighty warrior where the Washington Redskins got their name.
Wait, so Indians don't actually have red skin, red skin is actually face paint? LOL. And they claim we was racist.
My County was heavily populated by the Ottawa, Chippewa and Potawatomi Indian tribes. Indian culture is pretty big here. Several nearby cities even have Indian given names even to this day. The utmost respect for these folks remains a lifelong priority of mine. I was also schooled in the Cub Scouts and later during my years in Boy Scouts on respect and identification. This white boy would do anything for ya......anytime!
My original post was deleted by moderators in the "Great Debates" for reasons that have not been explained to me. I've reluctantly decided to bring my question here to see what people think, and I hope that it can be answered in a mature and intelligent manner.
What I had asked before, and what I am asking now is a question of semantics. I'm an American who lives in Malaysia. In Malaysia, it is very common to hear Malaysians refer to Native Americans as "Red Indians." When I first heard it I was shocked because I had never heard that term before and it reminded me a bit of the Washington Redskins debate. But then I thought, "why am I the one getting uncomfortable hearing this term...I'm not even Native American." The Malaysians I know aren't using it to be offensive. They're using to differentiate American Indians from Indians from India.
So my question to my Native American/American Indian/First Nations friends is: Do you consider the term "Red Indian" offensive?
**I'd like to ask everyone responding NOT to turn this into a debate about "political correctness" or as an excuse to air your racist views.***
Check out the message board at powwows.com if you want to talk to some American Indians who actually have enough native ancestry to look native. You're not likely to bump into a native person here with more than 1/4 blood quantum.
Check out the message board at powwows.com if you want to talk to some American Indians who actually have enough native ancestry to look native. You're not likely to bump into a native person here with more than 1/4 blood quantum.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bolehboleh
What I had asked before, and what I am asking now is a question of semantics. I'm an American who lives in Malaysia. In Malaysia, it is very common to hear Malaysians refer to Native Americans as "Red Indians." When I first heard it I was shocked because I had never heard that term before and it reminded me a bit of the Washington Redskins debate. But then I thought, "why am I the one getting uncomfortable hearing this term...I'm not even Native American." The Malaysians I know aren't using it to be offensive. They're using to differentiate American Indians from Indians from India.
So my question to my Native American/American Indian/First Nations friends is: Do you consider the term "Red Indian" offensive?
**I'd like to ask everyone responding NOT to turn this into a debate about "political correctness" or as an excuse to air your racist views.***
What I was taught in history class is that Columbus named the people here, Indians, because he thought he was in India. I'm 53 years old and I never really thought that much about it and I didn't know they did either.
I don't know why you would be uncomfortable with the term Red Indian, but apparently you're not alone. I wondered who opted for the change and it looks like they did.
If you ask me, people can take offense to some of the darndest things and it makes me wonder if they sit up nights thinking this stuff up.
There were no "native" Americans. Those who came over the Bering Strait migrated here just as the Europeans did. Those who mated with the Spaniards afterwards created the Mestizo mixed race.
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