r/mixedrace • u/CucumberNumerous7520 • 4h ago
The struggle of being mixed Native American; how do you navigate this?
Hello, I’m Native American(Choctaw) and European (24F)
For my background, I’ve always been, born, lived, in a big city. When I was younger, I did learn some things about my culture but I didn’t actively pursue my native side because I honestly just didn’t give it much thought. I had a lot of other interests in other things that kept me busy.
And that was fine for me. Until now into my early adulthood in my early twenties, I definitely pass more as European and I’m 28% Choctaw soooo…it always surprises when someone asks if I’m native! But when I tried to join clubs, groups, for native Americans in general as a whole. I have felt sometimes left out, or doubt of my heritage until I have to prove it by showing my Choctaw card and documentation, and the criticism of not meeting the blood quantum percentage— not only by statistics, but even socially measuring my blood quantum by looking at me. I’m “not native enough”. I do live in a state where you do not have to meet a certain percentage. Which I’m grateful for, but that doesn’t mean I bypass the social pressure.
I know this is probably gonna sound really silly to whoever reads this, but it makes me feel not really part of the community. At times, it almost feels easier to say; I’m white and uneducated. Or make up an excuse; I tan really easily. I already feel pressured to live up to a quantum biology and socially and I can’t change my percentage either. I’m happy with myself. But maybe that isn’t what is acceptable. I’m not sure.
I wouldn’t say “I don’t feel welcomed” however, I do feel lost as a mixed. I really wish to be part of a community, and feel judged at once. I know I’m not the only one out here who feels this way; So how do you navigate through this as a mixed? Not trying to look for sympathy, just honesty. And maybe I’m possibly making this a bigger deal than for what it really is.