Why am I being mocked and criticized and laughed at and brutally at that for my heritage? You all do not get to decide whether I can call myself Native American. That is not your call to make. You guys are scum for debating this and mocking me because of it. I ask that this thread be locked immediately.
And, it's a legitimate question in our society how people categorize themselves and claim different identities. For example, I half-Jewish ancestry, but my dad is a Jew, not my mother. So, some people would say I'm not Jewish at all. Especially since I don't go to temple or participate in Jewish religious life much at all.
I'm also 1/32 Native American. I wouldn't dare speak for Native Americans or call myself one because my family and upbringing had nothing to do with being Native American. On the other hand, I know a lot about what it means to be Jewish, it means something to me. If being Native American has meant something in your life, fine. But, don't just say, I'm Native American because my great, great, great grandmother was Native American. And, certainly don't say it so cavalierly and in service of silencing the legitimate complaints of Native Americans.
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