Self-identity is complicated–even for a WASP (White Anglo-Saxon Protestant) like me. I generally list myself as white or Caucasian. And I am–mostly. That is certainly how the rest of the world interacts with me–because that’s what the rest of the world assumes me to be, based on my appearance. And the majority of my ancestors came to this country from the English Isles or France. The majority… but not all.
So why do I bring this up now? Because of a controversy here in Massachusetts involving Democratic Senate Candidate Elizabeth Warren. Warren claims to be 1/32 Cherokee–she was actually born in Oklahoma, although she hasn’t lived there during her adult life. Warren isn’t an official member of the Cherokee Nation, although if that 1/32 claim is true she could be. (Native American ancestral claims can be very difficult to document, as most people who claim some Indian blood do so based on family oral histories.) But at times during her adult life, she has listed that part of her heritage on certain official documents.
Some are claiming that as false advertising, accusing her of trumping up an Indian heritage to gain preferential treatment. And yet, there is no evidence that she ever received preferential treatment because of that. And she would have never had to; women of that age are rarities in law schools, business schools, and economics departments, and her qualifications as an academic are impeccable. Moreover, there are times when I’ve listed myself as having some Native American blood–usually on medical questionnaires, but even occasionally on other documentation that allows for more than a simple “check one box” ethnicity answer. Because while I identify as white, first and foremost, I AM proud of my Native American heritage, and don’t like completely dismissing it.
I realize that some of you may be saying to yourself “but he doesn’t look Indian!” And I don’t. But I am 1/32 Chickasaw. Continue reading »
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