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Another Awesome Song From the New Becca Stevens Album: "Well Loved"

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wheat-dogg, raker of forests, master of steam3/13/2017 12:14:36 am PDT

re: #31 JordanRules

Yeah, that’s a thing I’ve noticed. Why do you think that is?

Americans have romanticized Native Americans to a large extent, while completely misunderstanding Native culture and European colonists’ responsibility in nearly wiping them out. It’s part of the “noble savage” notion originating in 17th century Europe — that “primitive” peoples were somehow more pure and innocent than the “civilized” peoples of Europe.

Also, the Native people were never enslaved by whites, AFAIK, so there would be no disgrace in admitting Native heritage.

In a racist’s hierarchy, Native Americans are “better” than African-Americans. So, having some Native ancestry would not be as embarrassing as admitting African heritage, because of the whole slavery thing. (I suppose. I don’t claim to be an expert in the BS that is white supremacy.) You have to remember that white supremacists believe there is a hierarchy of races, with blacks at the bottom. I’m not sure if the “noble savage” trope ever included Africans kidnapped from their homelands.

It’s also worth noting that most people claiming Native ancestry probably have none at all. Often, it’s a family legend passed without question from one generation to the next. Elizabeth Warren is just one notable example.