Xenophobia

[Angela]

Xenophobia has two main objects:

The first is a population group present within a society that is not considered part of that society. Often they are recent immigrants, but xenophobia may be directed against a group which has been present for centuries, or became part of this society through conquest and territorial expansion. This form of xenophobia can elicit or facilitate hostile and violent reactions, such as mass expulsion of immigrants, pogroms or in the worst case, genocide.

The second form of xenophobia is primarily cultural, and the objects of the phobia are cultural elements which are considered alien. All cultures are subject to external influences, but cultural xenophobia is often narrowly directed, for instance, at foreign loan words in a national language. It rarely leads to aggression against individual persons, but can result in political campaigns for cultural or linguistic purification. Isolationism, a general aversion of foreign affairs, is not accurately described as xenophobia.

Xenophobia affects people who are decendants of ancestors whith a holocaust background.

I see it everyday here in the Americas within the mixed races. They seem to be self inflicting Xenophobia within themselves. In all areas of the Americas.
It seems that many Native Americans with mixed ancestory tend to have mild to extreem cases of self inflicting Xenophobia and is reaching epidemic porportions.
The most extreem cases can be seen in American legends such as Major Ridge of the Cherokees. He was also a mixed race with ancestors giving genocide and with ancestors being the victums of genocide.And his peace of mind failed with no balance thus giving him what is common todays society Xenophobia upon ones self.
Another form of extreem Xenophobia can be seen in our BIA.
One of the most common forms of Xenophobia are those mixed race people who only claim one race, thus renforcing the Xenophobia upon themselves as individuals. Most common among mixed races of Latino, Mexican , and Caucasians.
With popular media and lies and hidden truths in American History Books , this form of Xenopobia has reached epidemic proportions with our people as a whole.
Ever wonder why one of our family members becomes a drug addict, or have thoughts of suicide?
Maybe our society has put too much emphasis on being one race when the majority of our Natives ARE infact mixed .
The pressure is overwhelming to our youth...look we say hate whitie, when we are white, and hate the redman , when we are a redman.
We are both in some form or fashion and in desperate need of balance for our children and grandchildren's peace of mind , body, and spirit.
So how do we overcome such obsticles that our mixed youth have been deeling with since Major Ridges time or even before?

[Ramona]

You raise an important question. I think at least I hope, that today people are finding pride in their mixed heritage. I know in the past that was not the case. I was told by my white family that I was "spanish" and my european ancestory was emphasized, as I was raised by my Mom who is Italian, Scottish and German. It was later in life when I got to know my Mexican family that I realized and was told that we were Indian, I remember my grandmother telling me "The Indian really came out in you." She told me it was meant as a compliment,and I took it as such, but that when she was little she told everyone she was spanish because there was so much racisim towards Indians and Mexicans. My mexican cousins proudly tell me that they were born with a black spot on their back, indicating their Indinaness, and ask "Were you?" which I sadly reply "No" and they say "Oh that's right your mom is white." For so long many of us were given a false history, and that is why it is so important for me to remember my Native American Great grandparents who spoke the native language and passed on some of the culture. But I also embrace my celtic and other heritage, as there is something good in each and all of us, and no one should feel bad for who they are.