African Native Americans
Yellow Corn, Cherokee
An important group of men and women has been left with no box to check in the 2010 Census: Native Americans with African origins. The 2010 Census provides us with boxes to check for gender – male, female, other questions, and race. Question #8 asks “Is the person of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin?” and offers 4 boxes of choices. A separate question - #9 asks, “What is person 1′s race?” with 14 choices, the last of these being some other box.
Yes, the scientists tell us that we all grew from the genes of the 3.2 million year old “Lucy” of Africa but I would like to pay homage to those Native Americans that harbored the slaves in America and from slavery to today included them in their communities. Today they live every and any where and take their culture with them to every arena. To quote “AFRICAN-NATIVE AMERICANS : WE ARE STILL HERE“ (based on an exhibit, curated by Ms. Eve Winddancer with photos by Mr. Louis B. Myers, at the William and Anita Newman Library)
They are of African descent but they are also Blackfoot, Canarsie, Caribe, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, Lenape, Matinecock, Mohawk, Munsee, Ramapo, Shinnecock, Seminole, Unkechaug, Taino. They have spiritual names in addition to the names that appear on their birth certificates; they dance at powwows wearing full regalia; they have naming ceremonies for their children. Some of them speak indigenous languages, some fast on the full moon in accordance with ancient religious beliefs, and all are extremely proud of their mixed heritage. They embody the intertwining of two of America’s most stalwart and dynamic ethnic communities.
There is much to be learned and appreciated about the connection between Black/African Americans and Native Americans. Cultural similaries abound. Fortunately there is a wealth of knowledge online for those interested. The site and book Black Indian Genealogy Research: African-American Ancestors Among the Five Civilized Tribes was one of my favorites.
To bring us back to the Census, some Native Americans refused to sign the census rolls during the 18th and 19th centuries, some refused to register with the Bureau of Indian Affairs or to allow themselves to be “removed” to “Indian Territory” in Oklahoma during the 1800s. Thanks to those of today who are counted, we know that while it may be an under-estimate, the combined and growing buying power of Native Americans, African Americans, and Asian Americans will exceed $1.7 trillion combined. And the beat goes on…