Racial Classification: Native Americans & African Americans

The documentary- series "Finding Lola" is done, but is the journey over? This new mini series will explores the history and impact of blood quantum for Native American communities and compare it to the one-drop rule, a similarly problematic concept that was used to define blackness in the United States during the era of slavery and Jim Crow.

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Come join me on a new docu-series that explores identity, racial tensions in the South during the 20th century, and the unique experiences of those who historically called Louisiana home.
My name is Danielle Romero, and all my life, I have romanticized Louisiana.
Growing up in New York, it represented a place where I could step back the sepia-toned life of my great grandmother, Lola Perot, who died before I was born.
Now, it was time to go back to Louisiana--although I had no idea what the truth would be or what questions to ask---who was Lola really? Who were we?

*Amazon links are affiliate links. If buy something through these links, we may earn affiliate commission. Thank you for supporting this project!

[nytn]

🟢Want to know more? www.findinglolafilm.com

[richarddeguzman]

This is a very touchy topic due to representations. The European Americans are in the middle of this. African Americans nor Native Americans came up with these teams. These classifications were created by the European Americans to keep us Native Americans and African Americans divided and distracted.

[Pougie]

The reason why the differential between the system for rating identity exists is simple: It comes down to what these identities represent to the hierarchical racial classification and how that would impact white people's existence in the US.
The reason they have to make it hard to classify yourself as NA or indigenous is because they want to decrease your numbers so that you have less power and thus less claim to the land. NA's very existence puts white people's land claims into question, and they don't like that.
The reason why it is easy to identify as Black with only one drop being required. Is because it makes intermarriage less desirable, as you would know that your offspring would be deemed as having less rights and less desirability overall (in accordance with the racist structure that favors whiteness). As a result, whiteness becomes highly prized and rare, while also discouraging miscegenation.

[stephanienwadieiiamhybasia]

My poor grandmother thought she was Indigenous ( Indian not African).
It was before DNA testing.
I have only 1.5-2% Native to North and South America.
Our black side, on the other hand, who could pass, did sometimes for white and the rest just made the best of their situation.
I agree with you. The government has controlled us and divided us, using such crazy tactics.

[TheMidnightBell]

Hey, I had a friend that was a Pamunkey. He took the time to do a black and white book of photos archiving his tribal affiliation along with other tribes from his area. (The Chickahominy, The Upper Mattaponi, Powhatan, etc) Well, it was announced on the news that his tribe was finally recognized. I once asked him just before the announcement if he would consider taking a DNA test. He said he didn't want to because of the guy that turned out to be Scottish instead of German. I understood how he felt because outside of the people that knew him he felt as if people didn't really believe his identity. It was great that he was finally able to have that identity validated; Unfortunately he wasn't well and only had three weeks to enjoy finally being accepted for who he really was before he passed away from illness. Can you imagine having to live your life in a country that was once completely your ancestral home and having to answer to people whose Ancestors were themselves immigrants and fit into their criteria that explains your existence? That's a horrible thing to comprehend.

[FLEETFILMS]

You are traveling a road that may be new to you but traveled by so many. I hope you continue to have the strength.

[jbtpa]

Danielle I'm so proud of you! This is so important. I really think " enrolling" is a follow the money situation.

[Catlily]

I knew a woman who was more than half native blood but not enough to enroll in a specific tribe. She just missed having the 1/4 needed to enroll. She grew up on the reservation. Her mother was mostly native. Her father was Mexican. I felt bad that she was kept out of the tribe she grew up in.

[patrickdeady]

It's so good for you to share your story, Daniele! You are researching issues that are important to hear and be discussed! I love what you are doing and.have done so far! It is really relevant in light of.what some government officials at the state level are attempting to do in the south and elsewhere!! Thanks so much for your bravery!

[sandywaldrup]

I live in Natchitoches and my mom is from Campti, so I am familiar with many of the families from the area including yours. Have really enjoyed going on this journey of discovery with you guys 👍👌‼️

[kaiyakershaw]

Very thoughtful video! I’m looking forward to next week’s discussion! You’re so brave for dealing with these sensitive issues out in the open. The only way things will get better is if we talk about them and de-stigmatize and normalize conversations like these. Thanks for being honest and vulnerable and leading the way.

[KallipolisCracks]

I’m Sicilian/Calabrese and also 1/4 or maybe a bit less Native as well. I’ve never registered for a multiple reasons as well. Just found your channel and really enjoy it so far. My Papa(Sicilian) told me about being considered Black by all his parents friends and was called the N word frequently, and just the general racism he experienced. It was brought up because I was speaking to him about how the groups that were previously stereotyped and discriminated against the worst or up there become the new discriminators. It was a great convo.
Might be good to do a video on the “brown paper bag” test at Ellis Island and how us darker Italians were classified. Already saw you have several on the classification though so I may be speaking too soon. Either way thank you! Not as many videos on our people as you’d expect unless it’s mafia history videos

[flowerpow]

Its important to note is that black people don't use the 1 drop rule to measure blackness, as you stated. The 1 drop rule was how white people determined who was "pure" white versus those who had some mix as a primary way to separate people for the purpose of knowing who to discrimination against. Society, I repeat society, not just black people then began to use that rule because it was thrust onto them by white people.

[MsMaureen]

Your videos are fascinating, thank you for sharing your journey.

[texmexlife]

It’s also about money. Guaranteed that if the government has to pay reparations black people will also be taxed to prove their linage.

[rocketreindeer]

OH, I did not realize you did a video on this. Totally agree Danielle. The whole idea of blood quantum, status cards, and any kind of intermarriage diminishing Indigenous identity was part of genocide through paperwork. None of those things were/are part of our cultures, they were imposed. I don't like our circular Indigeneity being forced into a square white genocide box. We don't belong in there. And I like what that leader said at the beginning. Thank you so much.

[lornawood]

I don’t remember ever hearing the term “blood quantum.” However, I lived in Sequoyah County OK for about 26 years and was well aware of the “percentage” of Indian Blood concept, which is probably the same thing as blood quantum. It was my understanding that a certain proven percentage of tribal blood was mandatory in order to receive benefits from the tribe, i.e., free medical, dental, etc care, among other advantages. An Indian Roll number is also required. I was told that my Native American great grandmother didn’t have a roll number, as her family considered being public about their heritage was an embarrassment, perhaps out of fear. I’m wondering if perhaps I didn’t receive any of her DNA, as My Heritage DNA test showed I am 99.-something English!! No percentage of Native American! Very confusing.

[dorotaroter]

I am Polish. I live in Poland, and I teach Polish as a second language online. I have noticed more and more young people of Polish origin want to learn the language of their ancestors. They actually feel proud of their roots and look for their identity. I really feel blessed and honored to be able to help them!

[vatricegeorge]

Native American tribes are using blood quantums to remove citizenship from black people. My family was enslaved by the Muscogee Creek Natives, they experienced the trail of tears are on the Dunn and Dawes rolls, payrolls, were alloted 160 acres of Creek land in the late 1800s but because they were freedmen they are now not considered creek citizens. My 2018 genealogy educated me about anti black sentiment in the 5 civilized tribes.

[PeterAnderson]

Hello, I am a born American citizen from a mixed of Native American, African American, and European. The one thing I'm interested in is my family didn't know if where they came from. We all did genealogy testing and Native American str DNA tests along for some testing for African Ancestry. I was told that I was from the Cherokee, Blackfeet, and Cree Nations. To breakdown this tribes I was originally from going back to my ancestors in a time when United States was born into place and Indigenous people who were here first before the European people particularly the Norwegian, Scandinavian, the Vikings were arrived in the north of Canada down to what is USA. BEFORE Christopher Columbus discovered Southern of USA and Indigenous people who actually discovered European people arrived on this land from overseas. Here's the catch. I did the tests. Finding out 4 top tribes are Sioux, Objiwe, Lumbee, and Muskogee from my str DNA comparison to my closest relatives in my family. They came up Mikmaq, Choctaw, Cherokee, Chippewas, PeeDee, Navajo, Eskimo, and so many other tribes I connect to. So question for you, why 'drop of blood' is so low just like the Irish blood percentage is 1% - so that means low percentage for each ethnicity is greater than we thought and says to be distant in the family and many years or centuries passes by as my ancestors carry the Native American blood and African Ancestry blood in me along with mixed European? I think it's fascinating to discover my heritage hidden in my DNA. What makes up who you really are? I consider myself as Native American and American born citizen. I always feel like being a Native American without the enrollment of tribes. Seems complicated enough to understand. But I know enough based on my relatives being told and my research on geneology research on my family history.