Comments on: Jessica Simpson used the phrase "indian giver" Native Americans are offended. Would you be or not?

By: L. Ellington (RIP MJ)

L. Ellington (RIP MJ) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 08:19:59 +0000

I am American Indian, and I haven’t given that statement the time of day.

Do you wonder just WHY I’m not offended?

It’s because there are many quandaries in Indian country. I am more concerned with the rates of teenage pregancies, diabetes, elder abuse, and alcoholism than I am with whatever Jessica Simpson says.

And then you combine that with the fact that I have a LIFE to live and that there is a thing known as "freedom of speech" in this country.
References :

By: Kanien:kaha'ka-[]-[]-^-[]-[]

Kanien:kaha'ka-[]-[]-^-[]-[] — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 07:30:59 +0000

it was right that simpson was called out on it. its not a matter of being offended because i can assure you not one of us will lose sleep over some air head using a derogatory term. what does matter is that it was corrected and brought to light in a public way. every time someone uses a derogatory remark towards any group, it should be addressed until making them is no longer socially acceptable. as for the phrase having been around a long time…so have other phrases that are no longer used because they are insulting like the n word. for a long time native people had no voice and simply had to put up with the racist remarks and out right lies told about us. well those days are gone. now we speak up. its a shame some are so threatened by that.

ETA btw shaemis…it wasn’t us who made up any of those terms. we have always called ourselves by our own terms most of which means simply "the people". if mainstream america is sick of the labels then they should stop giving them.
References :
enrolled mohawk

By: Ms Pappy

Ms Pappy — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 06:40:59 +0000

I am not offended.
It has always been my understanding that the phrase "Indian giver" referred to the government’s treatment of Native Americans; letting them keep their lands, then taking it back when they had need of it.
I am Native American Indian
References :

By: smiley100

smiley100 — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 06:12:59 +0000

well, i'm part native american and i dont feel offended if someone uses terms like that it just gets annoying...
References :

By: obejoyful4

obejoyful4 — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 06:06:59 +0000

Indian giver came from the fact that Indians believed in passing the gift around, therefore sharing with everyone in the tribe. Never expecting to get it back. Whites, or Europeans believed in gaining wealth and fortune, not sharing it. In its truest form it would be a compliment, but the way this phrase has been twisted through time, yes I would be offended. No I am not Indian, I am a white Irish woman.
References :

By: Schaemis

Schaemis — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 05:44:59 +0000

No! All this "Offense" crap is just that. CRAP! It’s become a fad that we have to find something to be "OFFENDED" by these days. And BTW Yahoo, I don’t care if you consider CAPS shouting. More CRAP!!! I call it emphasizing.
If anything is "offensive" or stupid, it’s that dumb PC term "Native American". They were here before it was America, so therefore they/we cannot be Native Americans. American Indian or just Indian is more to my liking and more appropriate.
References :