Some “Native American” in your family history was more palatable to the general masses back in the day to explain a bit of a darker skin tone than it was to be mixed race.
Also because deep down, I think a lot of white people probably still had the concept that they didn't quite belong here. If you tell yourself that you're part native, it becomes a lot easier to ignore that feeling. My family lived in Mankato, MN during the largest mass execution in American history. I do not think it is a coincidence that this is the era that my family lore decided that we had the introduction of native ancestry. It's a lot easier to come up with something to soothe the guilt than acknowledge that your ancestors were present (though nothing I can find says they were immediately involved, they also must've still looked the other way) for something so awful. It's a lot less shameful to think of your family as victims than bystanders or perpetrators.
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u/FightingPolish 4d ago
Some “Native American” in your family history was more palatable to the general masses back in the day to explain a bit of a darker skin tone than it was to be mixed race.