#blackndns

[weareallmixedup]

I'm Black and Native. I actually have several other demographics too but I'm not comfy IDing with then because I want raised with them. I was raised with some vague semblance of my Native culture but not much and I don't "look Native" so I feel so invalid. I don't want to be considered anti-native, I try to be as respectful as possible but I feel so unwelcome and like a fake

There’s no one way to look Native, anon-friend. I’m BlackNDN as well and I don’t “look Native” how people think when someone says Native American. You’re not invalid or unwelcome based on your looks. I’m sure you’re aware of the antiblackness in NDN Country though but trust me, that’s on them and the internalized colonist thinking they have and not a reflection on you 

You’re valid and your identity is valid. If you want to, and I invite all mixed NDNs but especially BlackNDNs that follow this blog to do the same, feel free to holla at me on my personal blog any time. I’m here for you guys, I know it can be rough and confusing –Coyote 

[womanistnerd]

The Institutional Racism Against Black Indians

" Black Indians are constantly confronted with the fact that they do not fit any of society's stereotypes for Native Americans. Those stereotypes are imposed by both whites and sadly, other Indians. This lack of understanding of another nation’s history has interwoven ignorance thus extinguishing fact. Nevertheless, despite their own distortions and mutations of the past, it is interesting to note how the right to remember or forget are not going unnoticed; where personal biographies have intersected with historical watershed events (i.e. slavery, blood-mixing, cultural blending) is now producing historically-conscious discourse about race, racism, and who is a “real” Indian. Read more at http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2014/07/04/institutional-racism-against-black-indians

[therightkindofbrown]

Pharrell's War Bonnet & Anti-Black NDN Country - UPDATED (with images, tweets) · MochaLisaccino

So Pharrell is on the cover of Elle UK wearing an NDN War Bonnet. The interview apparently mentions a Cherokee Grandmother. Of course many across NDN Country had a lot to say about it.

What wasn't cool was using racist Anti-Blackness as criticism, including the N-word on Facebook. Also - some NDNs piping up about Anti-Blackness also support NDNs who continue to show their Anti-Blackness. You can't walk straight with a foot on both sides of the fence.

Of course this BlackNDN remains unsurprised by any of it. 

Note:

2 Addendums

Additional Links (including info on Cherokee Freedmen)

[manifestfreedom]

Black Indians: getting life from all the validation- we're still here.