What color is red? Exploring the implications of phenotype for native americans

Abstract

Perhaps even more dangerous than the stereotypical image of Native Americans held by America at large are the images internalized by Native people themselves. For Native mixed-bloods, often it has been more acceptable to claim European heritage than descent from African ancestors. This complexity mirrors ideas about skin color in Native communities where people of mixed heritage with light skin tones historically had some political advantages. People of mixed Native and African heritage who espouse an indigenous identity are often denied, scrutinized, and neglected within the Native communities with which they identify (Naylor, Playing Indian? The selection of Radmilla Cody as Miss Navajo Nation, 1997-1998. In: Miles T, Holland SP (ed) Crossing waters, crossing worlds: the African diaspora in Indian country. Duke University Press, Durham, pp 145-163, 2006). Absent European influence, generations past were accepting of diversity within Native communities and those of mixed heritage were integrated into community norms.