By Laurie Guthmann
It had taken her more than 30 years--plus research and genetic testing--to discover her ties to the indigenous Taínos of Puerto Rico, to claim her identity and re-learn what she thought she knew of her history.
She's not the only one. Since 2000, the number of Hispanics who identified themselves as Native American grew from 407,073 to 685,150, according to the 2010 census.
Some attribute the increase to immigration from parts of North and South America where there are large indigenous populations. In some cases, it's because of recently discovered ties to native cultures.
If the huge mass of Latinos in the US started identifying as Natives, we'd really see the depth and breadth of America's indigenous roots. It would make our history of conquest and colonization that much clearer.
And that's why the white Euro-American mainstream fears and hates immigration. It's a stark reminder of our historical crimes. And a stark reminder that it's not too late to redress those crimes--to establish a more fair and just America where white people don't rule (as much).
For more on the subject, see What's the Difference Between Indian and Latino? and "Most Mexicans Are Indians."
Below: "Ana María Tekina-eirú Maynard, right, dances at the 2010 Taíno Day ceremony in Puerto Rico."
4 comments:
I remember what my dad said about Latinos in the early 60s and 70s about how Latinos were racists against Indians in general, now it seems they are all Aztec or something. Don't get me wrong, I praise any ties to idigenous peoples, especially the disenfranchised, but I think its fraudulent and exploitive to claim to be Indian because you think theres some kind of financial gain.
You don't have to be Indian today to be oppressed or gain moneys, just keep paying your taxes, vote for corrupt leaders, support any kind of civil disobediance, stand in line or get the door shut in yor face more than a few times and you will know what being Indian is about, but doesn't this happen to all Americans today?
Well, Anonymous, I guess it shows how things have changed.
The Aztecs have always been a major part of Mexican nationalism. If you've seen Y Tu Mamá También, you know that Tenoch's parents, in a show of nationalistic hypocrisy, gave him an Aztec name, and then (in an imitation of the U.S.) had him circumcised. There are a lot of political metaphors in that movie, beyond it being a sex comedy with the classic trickster story. (Two boys try to seduce this woman by taking her to a beach that doesn't exist. But she sees through them and is only using them so she doesn't have to talk to her husband about her cancer.)
Another thing about the Aztecs, though, is that they practiced human sacrifice. They were so gung-ho about it that the other Indians took their chance with the Spanish.
Don't forget also the "Aztlan' movement, which is a Mexican version of Hitler's Aryan 'theories'. The Aztlan racists mangle Native ideas and real history into an ideology that preaches genocide and the creation of a large racially pure homeland in much of western North America.
I feel confliceted about this. It reminds me of people in the states who suddenly find out their great great grandmother was a cherokee princess. Ana María Tekina-eirú Maynard has always identified herself as a Latino and I think she should stick with that. She doesn't even speak her native language where as there are millions of indigenous speakers in Guatemala, Peru, and Bolivia. Those shouls be the only people who should be considered native. At least they still have their native names, cultures, and language.
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