I Know Who I Am

[OneidaDreamer]

It's very akin to someone else's work I know pretty well.
No f*ckin around in this poem. Just a sword's edge.

[trob226]

It hits home. I've been upset by some of the folks on this site who seem to think they can out-NDN everybody. Even though I'm enrolled Chickasaw, we enroll by lineal descent, meaning that you can have a very low blood quantum to qualify - and some folks make fun of that, which isn't cool.

I have darker hair and tan really well, so I don't get too much trouble when I say I'm Chickasaw (with an undocumented Cherokee great-grandma), but my kids do, especially my blond-haired, blue-eyed 8-year-old. I've had to tell them the same thing, that it doesn't matter what people say, it doesn't change who they are. I'm going through the enrollment process for them, now, and it takes months and months, but even when they get their cards I hope they won't need to wave them in someone's face to prove who they are (unless they need them for dancer registation or something).

Just be open about your heritage and not afraid to show what you've learned. Even my 8-year-old found that kids at school stopped questioning her NDN heritage when she and her sister demonstrated a fancy shawl dance at school and wore their regalia. They believe her now...

Cool poem, though. Way to put your thoughts into words!

Now, your kids are the ones who rock!

[trob226]

I LOVE this one! Its really hard sometimes. Its hard and feeling/being something totally different than what it seems on my ouside "cover" (the way I look). Who I am is my ancestors (both Native and white) and my idividual person that I was born to be, the way I live, and the things in my life that have molded me. I am DEFINETLY an individual, can't be grouped in any category....I know who I am. :)
I'm glad you know who you are.

Thank you. I wouldn't be surprised if EVERYBODY has had a few "I know who I am" moments in life. Seems like everybody gets challenges to their identity at some time,maybe because so many of us really are trying to be who we're not. But it's very centering to know who you are, even if NO ONE else does.

[whitewave]

I LOVE this one! Its really hard sometimes. Its hard and feeling/being something totally different than what it seems on my ouside "cover" (the way I look). Who I am is my ancestors (both Native and white) and my idividual person that I was born to be, the way I live, and the things in my life that have molded me. I am DEFINETLY an individual, can't be grouped in any category....I know who I am. :)
I'm glad you know who you are.

[NorthofAda]

Thank you. You read it before I was able to post my reasons for writing it, but I'm glad you think it rocks. I was going for that.

It hits home. I've been upset by some of the folks on this site who seem to think they can out-NDN everybody. Even though I'm enrolled Chickasaw, we enroll by lineal descent, meaning that you can have a very low blood quantum to qualify - and some folks make fun of that, which isn't cool.

I have darker hair and tan really well, so I don't get too much trouble when I say I'm Chickasaw (with an undocumented Cherokee great-grandma), but my kids do, especially my blond-haired, blue-eyed 8-year-old. I've had to tell them the same thing, that it doesn't matter what people say, it doesn't change who they are. I'm going through the enrollment process for them, now, and it takes months and months, but even when they get their cards I hope they won't need to wave them in someone's face to prove who they are (unless they need them for dancer registation or something).

Just be open about your heritage and not afraid to show what you've learned. Even my 8-year-old found that kids at school stopped questioning her NDN heritage when she and her sister demonstrated a fancy shawl dance at school and wore their regalia. They believe her now...

Cool poem, though. Way to put your thoughts into words!

[trob226]

Very nice - short, sweet and to the point - it definitely ROCKS!

Thank you. You read it before I was able to post my reasons for writing it, but I'm glad you think it rocks. I was going for that.

[trob226]

I was prompted to write this because I've seen so many posts by Indians questioning each other's legitimacy, or even their own, for reasons like "you don't have a card," or "your ancestors left the nation and assimilated," or "you don't live on the rez," or the like. Most people respond "I know who I am." People don't question my "Indianess," because I am not an Indian - I am only a white person who has some Indian ancestors I was never able to know much about. But some Indians do question my sincerity when I say I'm not a "wannabe" out to open up an illicit sweat shop or something; I'm only a person trying to get to know some people I don't know and understand issues from their point of view. What I say to myself when someone insists I'm really a "twinkie" is "I know who I am." So, this poem comes from me, and I send it to anyone who ever felt the need to say "I know who I am."

[NorthofAda]

Believe what you want
Say I'm a liar, or fool
Makes no difference -
I know who I am

Dismiss me outright
because I don't look like you
Makes no difference -
I know who I am

Curse me to my face
because you don't like my words
Makes no difference -
I know who I am

Judge me, condemn me
because you THINK you know me
And when you find out
you're wrong, don't apologize

Believe what you want
Makes no difference -
I know who I am

Very nice - short, sweet and to the point - it definitely ROCKS!

[trob226]

Believe what you want
Say I'm a liar, or fool
Makes no difference -
I know who I am

Dismiss me outright
because I don't look like you
Makes no difference -
I know who I am

Curse me to my face
because you don't like my words
Makes no difference -
I know who I am

Judge me, condemn me
because you THINK you know me
And when you find out
you're wrong, don't apologize

Believe what you want
Makes no difference -
I know who I am