8 ms·

I disliked the way the reporter kept calling the man an Indian It almost made me want to stop reading, but the story is quite interesting. I wonder what the 5

I disliked the way the reporter kept calling the man an Indian It almost made me want to stop reading, but the story is quite interesting. I wonder what the 5 foot deep pits he digs are really for. Pit fall traps for.... vehicles?

WildUtah 16y ago
The word in Brazil for indigenous people is indio. It doesn't carry negative connotations and is often considered a contraction for indigenous. Each nation, culture, and language in the Americas has its own points of sensitivity. Don't describe "tribes" in Mexico and remember that the word is "first nations" in Canada while "native americans" works better in the USA. In Latin American "indian" is preferred when you don't actually know the specific nation in question and its native name. For differentiating between East Indians and American Indians, remember the the politically correct terms are "casino Indian" and "call center Indian."
dalore 16y ago
I'm guessing it's some sort of storage, or perhaps sleeping area?
philwelch 16y ago
Edit: Now with citations! Many indigenous Americans prefer "Indian" to "Native American". "Native American" is a term invented by white people to make themselves feel better, by and large. "American Indian" is the preferred term if you need to distinguish from the people of India. "Charles C. Mann noted in his 2005 book 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus that "every native person whom I have met (I think without exception) has used 'Indian' rather than 'Native American'."[17] Russell Means, an activist in the American Indian Movement, said in 1998, "I abhor the term Native American...I prefer the term American Indian because I know its origins."[4][17]" "Many of those who are covered by the term strongly prefer "American Indian" over "Native American".[21][22] According to the US Census Bureau, as of 1995 50% preferred "American Indian", 37% "Native American", and the remainder preferred other terms or had no preference.[23]" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Native_American_name_controversy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Native_American_name_controvers...
- deleted 16y ago
  [deleted]
  - philwelch 16y ago
    "Indigenous" is the word you're looking for, not "native". I've seen no evidence that the term "Native American" is in any way a term Indians use to describe themselves. It's most likely a neologism of white origin used to assuage white guilt. It's considered respectful to call any group of people by the term they prefer to call themselves, not to invent your own term out of patronizing guilt for 400 year old navigational errors. (Incidentally, "native American" is ambiguous in that it could also be used to describe people of any race who were born in America. In fact, the term "native American" was used in this manner throughout the 19th century by anti-immigration activists, also known as "nativists". That's why "indigenous" is the most general and ambiguous term.)
    - whatwhatwhat 16y ago
      I dont think one would go wrong by using the word indigenous Native as a word is a noun, easy concise and neutral. Indigenous is not a noun. Other than that i'm not going to argue the difference between using indigenous over native. Its apples and oranges
- joelmichael 16y ago
  While the preference is understandable, it's too confusing to use the word "Indian" for two different types of people, one of which is actually from a country called India.
- whatwhatwhat 16y ago
  "every native person whom I have met (I think without exception) has used 'Indian' rather than 'Native American'." I grew up in Nebraska and I went to primary school with a number of Native Americans. It was considered very disrespectful to refer to them as Indians. The Native Americans I grew up with would not put up with people calling them indians, engens, or anything similar. If you really want to respect a native (a real one, not just one with native ancestors) then don't stereotype them by calling them anything other than their actual name. If you must refer to them by race you call them by the name which they give you which is going to be their tribe name and not some 500 year old archaic misunderstanding of the people on earth. Or if you want to be safe you can always call them natives, because the definition actual fits.
aaco 16y ago
In Brazil, the word we commonly use to refer to the native inhabitants is "índio". When we refer to someone who is born in India, the word is "indiano". Both words translate to "Indian" in English. Maybe that is why the article calls him an Indian. What word would you use instead, "native", maybe?
- whatwhatwhat 16y ago
  There is no real authority on whom should call whom by what name except for the one that has to wear said name. The term Indian for a native to the amaerican continents has carried a lot of derogatory meaning. Notwithstanding it is just plain inaccurate. So I do think we (all of us) can do better than following a 500 year old misconception, if nothing else
  - philwelch 16y ago
    "There is no real authority on whom should call whom by what name except for the one that has to wear said name" And as I keep telling you, many of the people we call "American Indians" actually prefer to be called "American Indians".
    - whatwhatwhat 16y ago
      And many prefer Native American, but so what? Thats not at all what I was pointing out. This story actually takes place in Brazil. He should be referred to by the name his people would use for themselves, for God's sake people, have some respect. And if it is the case that you do not know a person's heritage use a term that is reflective of that (your lack of knowledge) instead of using some archaic misconception just because it has become the status quo. THIS MAN does not live like any person today. He is not even an "American Indian". Your "American Indians" all speak english, or another modern language, and they are integrated with society (hence they could be interviewed in the first place) and they are not this man and they do not speak for this man or his people. Hell, it's 2010 and with a story like this we actually had the chance to get the "discovery of a new peoples" thing down right this time with respect. The gov't of Brazil realizes this and the steps they have taken to insure this mans safety back that up. This story completely blows the humanitarian aspect though, rather than preserving it. Why? Because he is way more native than any of the "American Indians" that you are referring to but you just completely don't get it. He is unique. He is an authentic native to his territory. He should be called by his tribal name, failing that he is a native or indigenous person and that is all that we really know.
jbjohns 16y ago
Political correctness is the security blanket of the simple minded.
- chbarts 16y ago
  'Politically correct' is just another way to say 'being polite, even to those without power.'
- RuadhanMc 16y ago
  Blah, blah, blah.

WildUtah 16y ago

The word in Brazil for indigenous people is indio. It doesn't carry negative connotations and is often considered a contraction for indigenous. Each nation, culture, and language in the Americas has its own points of sensitivity. Don't describe "tribes" in Mexico and remember that the word is "first nations" in Canada while "native americans" works better in the USA. In Latin American "indian" is preferred when you don't actually know the specific nation in question and its native name. For differentiating between East Indians and American Indians, remember the the politically correct terms are "casino Indian" and "call center Indian."

dalore 16y ago

I'm guessing it's some sort of storage, or perhaps sleeping area?

philwelch 16y ago

Edit: Now with citations! Many indigenous Americans prefer "Indian" to "Native American". "Native American" is a term invented by white people to make themselves feel better, by and large. "American Indian" is the preferred term if you need to distinguish from the people of India. "Charles C. Mann noted in his 2005 book 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus that "every native person whom I have met (I think without exception) has used 'Indian' rather than 'Native American'."[17] Russell Means, an activist in the American Indian Movement, said in 1998, "I abhor the term Native American...I prefer the term American Indian because I know its origins."[4][17]" "Many of those who are covered by the term strongly prefer "American Indian" over "Native American".[21][22] According to the US Census Bureau, as of 1995 50% preferred "American Indian", 37% "Native American", and the remainder preferred other terms or had no preference.[23]" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Native_American_name_controversy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Native_American_name_controvers...

deleted 16y ago
[deleted]
- philwelch 16y ago
  "Indigenous" is the word you're looking for, not "native". I've seen no evidence that the term "Native American" is in any way a term Indians use to describe themselves. It's most likely a neologism of white origin used to assuage white guilt. It's considered respectful to call any group of people by the term they prefer to call themselves, not to invent your own term out of patronizing guilt for 400 year old navigational errors. (Incidentally, "native American" is ambiguous in that it could also be used to describe people of any race who were born in America. In fact, the term "native American" was used in this manner throughout the 19th century by anti-immigration activists, also known as "nativists". That's why "indigenous" is the most general and ambiguous term.)
  - whatwhatwhat 16y ago
    I dont think one would go wrong by using the word indigenous Native as a word is a noun, easy concise and neutral. Indigenous is not a noun. Other than that i'm not going to argue the difference between using indigenous over native. Its apples and oranges
joelmichael 16y ago
While the preference is understandable, it's too confusing to use the word "Indian" for two different types of people, one of which is actually from a country called India.
whatwhatwhat 16y ago
"every native person whom I have met (I think without exception) has used 'Indian' rather than 'Native American'." I grew up in Nebraska and I went to primary school with a number of Native Americans. It was considered very disrespectful to refer to them as Indians. The Native Americans I grew up with would not put up with people calling them indians, engens, or anything similar. If you really want to respect a native (a real one, not just one with native ancestors) then don't stereotype them by calling them anything other than their actual name. If you must refer to them by race you call them by the name which they give you which is going to be their tribe name and not some 500 year old archaic misunderstanding of the people on earth. Or if you want to be safe you can always call them natives, because the definition actual fits.

aaco 16y ago

In Brazil, the word we commonly use to refer to the native inhabitants is "índio". When we refer to someone who is born in India, the word is "indiano". Both words translate to "Indian" in English. Maybe that is why the article calls him an Indian. What word would you use instead, "native", maybe?

whatwhatwhat 16y ago
There is no real authority on whom should call whom by what name except for the one that has to wear said name. The term Indian for a native to the amaerican continents has carried a lot of derogatory meaning. Notwithstanding it is just plain inaccurate. So I do think we (all of us) can do better than following a 500 year old misconception, if nothing else
- philwelch 16y ago
  "There is no real authority on whom should call whom by what name except for the one that has to wear said name" And as I keep telling you, many of the people we call "American Indians" actually prefer to be called "American Indians".
  - whatwhatwhat 16y ago
    And many prefer Native American, but so what? Thats not at all what I was pointing out. This story actually takes place in Brazil. He should be referred to by the name his people would use for themselves, for God's sake people, have some respect. And if it is the case that you do not know a person's heritage use a term that is reflective of that (your lack of knowledge) instead of using some archaic misconception just because it has become the status quo. THIS MAN does not live like any person today. He is not even an "American Indian". Your "American Indians" all speak english, or another modern language, and they are integrated with society (hence they could be interviewed in the first place) and they are not this man and they do not speak for this man or his people. Hell, it's 2010 and with a story like this we actually had the chance to get the "discovery of a new peoples" thing down right this time with respect. The gov't of Brazil realizes this and the steps they have taken to insure this mans safety back that up. This story completely blows the humanitarian aspect though, rather than preserving it. Why? Because he is way more native than any of the "American Indians" that you are referring to but you just completely don't get it. He is unique. He is an authentic native to his territory. He should be called by his tribal name, failing that he is a native or indigenous person and that is all that we really know.

jbjohns 16y ago

Political correctness is the security blanket of the simple minded.

chbarts 16y ago
'Politically correct' is just another way to say 'being polite, even to those without power.'
RuadhanMc 16y ago
Blah, blah, blah.