Elizabeth Warren was wrong to identify as Native American on a form 34 years ago. Having one known, named Indigenous American ancestor from many generations back is part of her family story and backed up by DNA, but does not qualify for tribal affiliation. She has honored her family story, and acknowledged where she misinterpreted how that applies in forms from many decades in the past.
But FACTS matter and here are some FACTS that no one has disputed:
1. Warren has only repeated the family lore she heard growing up in Oklahoma, where Indigenous tribes were nearby and intermarriage was common, that she had ONE specific NAMED indigenous American ancestor (O.C. Sarah Smith), her maternal great-great-great-grandmother.
2. Because of that single ethnic “impurity” in her mother’s distant background, her father’s family rejected her mother. Her mother and father eloped anyway, and her father remained estranged from his family.
3. Warren has told this story all her life, to explain her visceral repudiation of racism. But while she identified as American Indian, she has NEVER attempted to claim any specific tribal affiliation nor sought (nor received) any kind of benefit whatsoever.
4. The DNA test is 100% consistent with Warren’s claim of ONE SINGLE indigenous American ancestor five generations earlier who is identified and has a name.
If the DNA test “backfired,” it is only because her actual claim has been distorted and misrepresented (read: LIED ABOUT) by dishonest liars trying to demean her but who can’t address her at the level of issues.
If Warren now says “I have looked into my heart and found Jesus. Jesus has forgiven me. Now you have to forvie me” would the Rs say “Oh, right. If someone says that we auto-forgive.” ? Or does that only apply when one of them F’s up?
I think that the whole concept of races in the US is essentially racist itself. It should be discarded, as it nowadays perpetuates a problem which can otherwise not be overcome. To register for a single race if you have ancestors of all races (and no-one knows how many genes you have from one single grandparent – could be anything between 0 and 50%) makes it even more unscientific and fallacious. Races are in general a human-made construct, although genetic differences exist (but they don’t follow the disctinctions made by the basic US race types). In the US, race is defined mostly according to the darkness of the skin ans some (few) other superficially recognizable features. And I’m baffled by the fact that the only other country I know of where people had a fixed “race” which had to be officially registered was Nazi Germany. And I don’t know of any other country today where people are so obsessed with firearms and race like in the USA.
DD Wiz Premium Member about 5 years ago
Elizabeth Warren was wrong to identify as Native American on a form 34 years ago. Having one known, named Indigenous American ancestor from many generations back is part of her family story and backed up by DNA, but does not qualify for tribal affiliation. She has honored her family story, and acknowledged where she misinterpreted how that applies in forms from many decades in the past.
But FACTS matter and here are some FACTS that no one has disputed:
1. Warren has only repeated the family lore she heard growing up in Oklahoma, where Indigenous tribes were nearby and intermarriage was common, that she had ONE specific NAMED indigenous American ancestor (O.C. Sarah Smith), her maternal great-great-great-grandmother.
2. Because of that single ethnic “impurity” in her mother’s distant background, her father’s family rejected her mother. Her mother and father eloped anyway, and her father remained estranged from his family.
3. Warren has told this story all her life, to explain her visceral repudiation of racism. But while she identified as American Indian, she has NEVER attempted to claim any specific tribal affiliation nor sought (nor received) any kind of benefit whatsoever.
4. The DNA test is 100% consistent with Warren’s claim of ONE SINGLE indigenous American ancestor five generations earlier who is identified and has a name.
If the DNA test “backfired,” it is only because her actual claim has been distorted and misrepresented (read: LIED ABOUT) by dishonest liars trying to demean her but who can’t address her at the level of issues.
Darsan54 Premium Member about 5 years ago
If this is the worst thing she’s done, then she’s light years ahead of any other GOP elected official.
ajmsdca about 5 years ago
If she can ride a horse like that, I’ll vote for her, since I already like her tax talk.
amethyst52 Premium Member about 5 years ago
I really like her but I think she is far more effective in the Senate. I don’t think she could get the nomination. Sadly.
JDave about 5 years ago
Elizabeth Warren: 1 proven lie in 1986
Donald Trump: 7645 lies in 710 more recent days
Republicans: Warren is worse than Trump
Vidrinath Premium Member about 5 years ago
If Warren now says “I have looked into my heart and found Jesus. Jesus has forgiven me. Now you have to forvie me” would the Rs say “Oh, right. If someone says that we auto-forgive.” ? Or does that only apply when one of them F’s up?
We has seen the enemy about 5 years ago
Well, she does go on the warpath sometimes against evil white men.
Radish the wordsmith about 5 years ago
Can we get past Warren’s single semi-lie?
Trump is heading for 9,000 lies, there is no comparison.
WestNYC Premium Member about 5 years ago
1/1028th still counts.
rlaker22j about 5 years ago
Then she should just say I’ve answered that let’s move on
Spock about 5 years ago
I think that the whole concept of races in the US is essentially racist itself. It should be discarded, as it nowadays perpetuates a problem which can otherwise not be overcome. To register for a single race if you have ancestors of all races (and no-one knows how many genes you have from one single grandparent – could be anything between 0 and 50%) makes it even more unscientific and fallacious. Races are in general a human-made construct, although genetic differences exist (but they don’t follow the disctinctions made by the basic US race types). In the US, race is defined mostly according to the darkness of the skin ans some (few) other superficially recognizable features. And I’m baffled by the fact that the only other country I know of where people had a fixed “race” which had to be officially registered was Nazi Germany. And I don’t know of any other country today where people are so obsessed with firearms and race like in the USA.