Ancestry in a drop of blood

Task “ Ancestry in a Drop of Blood” Essay “ Ancestry in a drop of blood” is a historical term that is used eminently in US for social classification. The term is used when referring to individuals who are perceived to have the elements of “ the principle of blackness”, for example, the Indians. The term’s use has prompted Indians to seek for information about their origin. They have been in dire need of knowing what being an Indian means, the underlying practices and historical events including origin. This paper discusses the principle of “ Ancestry in a drop of blood “ with reference to the Indian people.
The knowledge of the underlying historical issues of Indians is vital for their social integration especially in the US. This seeks to enable them establish their origin and “ tribe membership”. Consequently, it seeks to enable them to understand their ancient cultural practices and social values that define what it means to be an Indian (Kaplan, 1).
As indicated “ Ancestry in a one drop rule” is a historical term used in the US for social classification of various communities and groups, for example, the Indians. The use of the term in describing various societies has made individuals from the settings to engage in systematic modalities to establish their origin (Kaplan, 1). Their interest, for example, the Indians is to establish their “ tribe membership” to avert falling victims of “ racism” in US. Indians who are referred to as Native Americans by the academicians leave in the northern part of the state. It is believed that their descendants are in the northern part of the state and that that is their origin.
However, the reference of the Indians as invisible black people has prompted their quest to establish their real identity through “ DNA tests” (Kaplan, 1). The tests are to enable citizens to establish their real origin and native landscape to quell the mixed reports on their origin. The “ DNA tests” will be executed through “ blood quantum” that is a credible procedure of conducting the test. This is to facilitate the identification of individual’s immediate parents and lineage setting (Benhabib, 73). Indeed, some of the Indians preferred to be called native speakers while some had preference to Indian. The term Indian was found later to be politically incorrect since it encourages racism that compromises integration.
Some objected the idea of being referred to as native inhabitants since native means a person who is born at the location in question that they doubted. Ideally, the principle of blackness in US encouraged racism in US and led to the deprivation of individuals rights. This affected the Indians and other societies who were depicted as blacks (Benhabib, 73). Whites in their resonation regarded Indians as primitive, barbarians, uncivilized and fallen people with little scope for prosperity. The racism attitude polarized the relations between the American generations. Such polarizations require effective mitigation steps to enhance cohesiveness in the country.
It is assumed that, Indians in the US resorted to performance of “ DNA tests” to help them in establishing their lineage and historical origin. The test that was to be undertaken through “ blood quantum’ was instrumental in enabling them to establish their tribal affiliation and membership (Toffolo, 57). The test process would not present severe complications. It seeks to create a proper understanding on the Indians lineage setting and affirm their authority in the state. It is also set to facilitate social cohesion and foster the eradication of racial practices in US. Davis (2) noted that “ DNA testing” remains the credible scientific method of establishing one’s tribal membership. It gives a clear background that can aid individual’s lineage hierarchy.
Consequently, the arguments in the reading must be understood holistically. That is their understanding should take social, political, cultural, ethical and educational dimensions. This is critical since the major aspects contained in the study that includes DNA testing, blood quantum, tribe membership and racism aims at building societal integration.
In conclusion, DNA testing is the best approach that Indians in the US should undertake to help them in establishing their background. It will enable them to understand their tribe membership and avert racism.
Works Cited
Benhabib, Seyla. The Claims of Culture: Equality and Diversity in the Global Era. Princeton, NJ: Princeton Univ. Press, 2002. Print.
Davis, F J. Who Is Black?: One Nations Definition. University Park, Pa. ;[Great Britain: Pennsylvania State Univ. Press, 2001. Print.
Kaplan, Karen. Ancestry in a Drop of Blood. Los Angeles Times, 2012. Web. April 30. 2003.
Toffolo, Cris E. Emancipating Cultural Pluralism. Albany: State Univ. of New York Press, 2003. Print.