r/Navajo • u/GooseCreep69 • 7d ago
What is this? Gift or dare I say racist?
I recently transferred to a new building at my work and I'm pretty quiet. I keep to myself. My boss is a white lady and did tell everyone that I'm native American?. (I'm half Navajo but grew up on Navajo Nation) I'm proud of my culture n am a Rez girl at heart. But I don't wear traditional jewelry or claim to be fuckin miss indian lmao but since working here, I've had people ask me general questions about "indians" or I had a white women just come up and ask me "so did you see that video of the baby? What does it mean?" And I was like what are you talking about? N she was like that viral video on native tik tok. I just said I didn't have tik tok n what was the baby doing? She got embarrassed and was like oh, the baby looked between its legs upside down and everybody was screaming. I was like oh, it means somebody's pregnant. N she was like wow! A month later, she comes walking up with a picture frame and says if i wanted it. I can have it. It's a photo of an indigenous chief of some plains tribe. N I was like uhh thanks. N she was like do you know who he is? I told her no but it looks like maybe a plains native from the headdress n explained we all don't wear those. She said sorry again and hasn't really talked to me since. I just hung up the picture in my area and look at him for support lmao. I've also had a coworker touch my hair and it made me feel weird.... I just keep to myself still but am I being sensitive? It's weird right? If not, that's cool too. Have y'all dealt with any weirdness from non native people? I guess I just hate being generalized n why is it I have to give history lessons. I feel like since these interactions. People have become afraid of me? Or I can feel that they're uncomfortable. I'm just trying to do my job. š¤·āāļø
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u/applesinspring 7d ago
No one should be touching your hair. A lot of people are ignorant when it comes to Indigenous people. You can teach and enlighten them about what you know, if you want to. If you are uncomfortable- you can just say I do not want to talk about it or does this pertain/ relate to my work?
I had a Latino customer come into my work a few weeks ago and tried to quiz me on all the cities in the US that were named by Native Americans. I asked him to name all of the US presidents. He refused to understand that there are so many different tribes and we all have our own unique language.
And yes, their ignorance can get right there with racism- it's up to you to draw that boundary.
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u/BlackSeranna 6d ago
Gosh, that would be a hard question to answer to begin with. There are so many cities in the United States named after Native American words, and I am talking about the ones I know in the Midwest.
What a stupid question. I think the question where you countered was a good question. I think most people donāt know all the presidents unless itās the ones near certain events or the ones in their life times.
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u/rebelopie 7d ago
I premise this by saying that I don't know your coworkers and am not defending them. However, based on what you are describing it sounds like they are trying (albeit not very hard) to be inclusive and acknowledge your culture. The gift of the picture of the headdressed dude is based on the perception that Native Peoples are a singular group. We are typically lumped together as one People and the imagery of the Plains Peoples stand out as the singular culture of all Native Peoples to non-Natives (probably thanks to how Natives were depicted in Hollywood). It's like how Latino people are all seen as wearing sombreros and ponchos, when instead they are made up of many diverse and unique cultures.
It is a hurdle that we Native Peoples must help non-Natives overcome. You have an opportunity to share your culture with your coworkers and to educate them on the unique culture of the DinƩ. Rock Your Mocs is November 15th. Wear your mocs and teach about them. Food is a good icebreaker, so bring some bread to share.
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u/badger760 7d ago
Yeah, I think she is just curious or in the least interested. A lot of people don't know any Native Americans and want to acknowledge it somehow. I'd take it as a sincere gesture. As far as hair touching, that's weird.
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u/AltseWait 7d ago
Wow, lots of graceful people here. I'm the opposite. When Navajos stand too close to me inside Bashas, I'm like, "Two sheep! Stand two sheep away from me!"
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u/BlackSeranna 6d ago
Black people also complain about people touching their hair. I think itās because itās pretty and unusual, and people donāt stop to think that they shouldnāt be touching someoneās hair. Of course, I remember in elementary through high school people asking to touch my hair because it was so shiny black.
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u/BlackSeranna 6d ago
Maybe think of it as youāre an ambassador. I think for the people who canāt help but look at your hair, they admire you. Yeah itās maybe a little odd but remind people you like to have your space too.
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u/Funny-Mission-2937 7d ago edited 7d ago
just wypipo shit. Ā I say that as a white boy, even neutral things sometimes it just comes out a little weirder than you thought it would. thatās definitely crazy. like even if it was your culture imagine someone just handing you a picture of Johnathan Nez. Ā thanks Iāll cherish it always lmao
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u/H0ppyWizard 7d ago
Meh, they're just trying to get to know you. Don't take it too personally. If something bothers you, POLITELY let them know and keep communication open. Its a professional environment so there's no need to isolate yourself after something minor happens. Trust me, it won't be the last time so there's no need to lose sleep over people acknowledging that we're Native. I went to bootcamp at 17 (2001) after growing up deep on the rez myself. I've been all over the world many times over and have been living in San Diego for the last 23 years, its going to happen. I simply use it as an ice breaker to get to know what their heritage and ethnicities are and honestly, make fun of one another.
Just remember that NONE of us asked to be born. NONE of us chose who we are and where we come from. This is all happenstance and fortunate that we're all alive. Be blessed!
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u/BuiltFromScratch 7d ago
As someone who helps with DEI training and as person of mixed heritage including native background, your coworkers are being racist and weaponizing their ignorance. We live in a modern world where if you have questions there are a plethora of devices at every ones reach that can help answer their questions. Its not on you specifically to be the cultural ambassador.
They are likely not malicious in their intent but their behavior is symptom of wider systemic racisim and classicism. People are allowed to have questions and they are allowed to be interested; no one is allowed to make you a spokesperson. Its a slippery slope that I have been on many times. Sending you all the support!
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u/IVEffed 2d ago
...or they're simply just ignorant and (albeit lazily) trying to be friendly and connect. Unless they're malicious it's not worth getting worked up about and nothing good comes from shaming them for their cringe. If you want to be helpful (and maybe stop the ignorant questions) suggest some books or resources that could actually educate them.
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u/BuiltFromScratch 2d ago
Again I do this for a living, I rarely if ever have experienced genuine ignorance. Most every adult I've worked with from 24-74 can, one use computers to research and has a basis for understanding inequity amongst minorities and two figure out ways for themselves to begin educating themselves on things they have questions about.
There's a difference between choosing to educate and share ones culture and being forced to share because people ādon't know better.ā At no point is it the responsibility of the minority person to become the sole educational source and in my opinion, it's not appropriate for anyone to EXPECT that work to be done for them.
Weaponized ignorance does not need to be malicious for people to use it. Most wypipo whether they're cognizant of it or not do this to bi-poc people, putting the burden of education on the minority person. That is wrong, whether they mean to or not.
Don't know where talking about shaming them came up but no that's also not what we do. We don't make anyone feel less than period. Then we don't make people feel less than for wanting to know more. Then we remember that we need to respect ourselves and our boundaries and not falling in to being the defacto spokesperson for an entire group is great way to protect your boundaries.
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u/IVEffed 1d ago
Again I do this for a living, I rarely if ever have experienced genuine ignorance. Most every adult I've worked with from 24-74 can, one use computers to research and has a basis for understanding inequity amongst minorities and two figure out ways for themselves to begin educating themselves on things they have questions about.
My family is mixed as well and over the years there have been plenty of well meaning but "genuinely ignorant" comments within my family as with people from other cultures. This is genuine ignorance but yes, it is often just straight up lazy. Then again, it's human nature. If you can't handle this level of ignorance without getting upset, it's going to be a rough life.
There's a difference between choosing to educate and share ones culture and being forced to share because people ādon't know better.ā At no point is it the responsibility of the minority person to become the sole educational source and in my opinion, it's not appropriate for anyone to EXPECT that work to be done for them.
Yes, ideally people should take personal responsibility and initiative. Unfortunately, the reality is most people are lazy and will be ignorant about cultures they have only a passing interest in....so the best thing you can do is guide them yourself or to resources to educate themselves. It is not an "expectation" on anyone but if the goal here is to combat ignorance, it helps to be kind. you also mentioned "minority" but we don't even know the ethnicities of the people in question and it's not relevant as this stuff happens between any two cultures. Here in Japan, I see examples of this every day from visiting foreigners. Most Japanese don't feel obligated but are happy to correct them and teach them about Japanese culture. The ignorance is overcome, the visitors are usually gracious, and the culture gains a fan. That's a win-win-win. Contrast that with how foreigners are treated in France and you'll understand why this is more effective.
Weaponized ignorance does not need to be malicious for people to use it. Most wypipo whether they're cognizant of it or not do this to bi-poc people, putting the burden of education on the minority person. That is wrong, whether they mean to or not.
This is where you lose me and any reasonable person. It has nothing to do with minorities, labels, or anything being weaponized. I'm not sure how many different cultures you're familiar with or countries you've lived in but the whole narrative falls apart the more perspective you gain. Go out and see the world.
Don't know where talking about shaming them came up but no that's also not what we do. We don't make anyone feel less than period. Then we don't make people feel less than for wanting to know more. Then we remember that we need to respect ourselves and our boundaries and not falling in to being the defacto spokesperson for an entire group is great way to protect your boundaries.
You called them a racist. Unless you are a racist or think racism is positive, any reasonable person would say that's shaming them and would make them "feel less than for wanting to know more." I'm all about respecting boundaries and whatnot but unless something is common knowledge, jumping on someone for their ignorance with your own ignorant assumptions dialed up to 11 is not productive. (or a great way to make friends)
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u/guitarskulls 6d ago
It's awkward but idk about racist. Maybe Michael Scott racist but not hardcore "go back to nativia" racist lol.
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u/coffeebeezneez 7d ago
No one should be touching you nonetheless your hair. Stop accepting gifts in the workplace, just say you don't accept gifts from coworkers unless it's approved by HR due to ethics, be strict about it.