Date: Mon, 3 Nov 1997 10:24:52 -0700

From: Kat Rose Kat.Rose[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]SPOT.COLORADO.EDU

Subject: Re: Indian giver



Billy Hamilton considers the term "indian giver" derogatory and offensive

to Native Americans. Because of such feelings, I quit using the term by

junior high. I am wondering, however,...



The phrase was in fairly common use during my grade school days, but I

didn't understand it as pejoritive of Native Americans. I thought it came

from the history of broken treaties and the repeated relocation of

"Indians" (my elementary school days predate the common use of "Native

Americans") from land that was considered worthless when "given" to them

but later found to have some exploitable value. Hence, an "Indian giver"

was someone who gave, but took back, someone who promised, but reneged--as

the U.S. government did to the Indians.



Was my perspective unusual? Did I learn too much history too soon? Or was

this a valid understanding of the term as it was used 40 years ago?





[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE] -- ---

Kat Rose Kat.Rose[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]spot.Colorado.edu

My words, my rights, my responsibility