My progess...

From first choosing my topic of federal recognition of the Lumbee tribe, being Lumbee I knew some stuff but not no where close to what I know now. Being Lumbee is something that sets me a part of other people. Yes, it is true that I do not live on a Reservation or speak a native language, and my tribe has no written documents to tell of our history. Does this not make me Native American? Does it not matter that when I hear the word "Lumbee" I automatically think of large loud families or a community that will support me with my decisions in life?

Living in the area that I live in Robeson County, I am not surrounded by as many Native Americans as i would be if i lived in Pembroke. Being referred to as the "white girl" because of the school I attended. Because of the way that I spoke was not as "country" as others I have been assumed as "being white." Now, as I look into the past of my people who am i suppose to act like, when we assimilated we lost so many of our traditions, how can I "act" Native American, when its not an act, It is my blood.

Researching the Lumbee tribe has allowed me to see both sides of the politics of the constant battle of federal recognition for the Lumbee. Allowed me to understand that the opposing sides feel that we have stolen "their history" such as the Cherokee or Tuscarora. Being a Lumbee, a part of this fight, there is nothing that we can do to change to past of our tribe...how can this generation change what we had no control over???

From re-reading previous blogs i have raised so many questions in my mind, where some have been answered in research while some can never really be answered. I have seen myself develop into a proud Lumbee member who knows the history of her people and hopefully the future with the tribe being federally recognized.

Class Links....

Clearly, my blog discusses the ongoing struggle of the Lumbee tribe to receive federal recognition. While this is a personal and important issue to me, there are other important issues that seem to be an ongoing debate. The following is a list of blogs from my classmates that i feel are also important:

Illegal Immigration

Reading her blogs on illegal immigration has really allowed me to see both sides of this highly debated issue. She does a great job of breaking down the different elements of illegal immigration. Blogs such as her before and after thoughts, from the point of view of an illegal immigrant, and America's future is there a "right" answer, have aided in me making my decision to finally be able to choose my stance on illegal immigrants.

Abortion.Life.Choice.Grow.Impact.Change

Coming from a traditional household, abortion is just simply wrong. Since coming to college I have realized that maybe some of my traditional viewpoints may need to be revised, reading this particular blog on abortion has made me realize that abortion is not always bad. I feel that people who chose to have an abortion should have a good reason such as rape being behind the pregnancy; not something people just do freely. This is truly a blog that I continued to visit because it made me realize how on felt on the different issues dealing with abortion.

Save Darfur

While I feel that America is involved in too many outside issues, from reading this particular blog it has allowed me to see that maybe America or another source should step in and do something to help Darfur. I always have felt that Americas should be helped before other countries with our tax dollars maybe if America was not a "busy body," like fighting unnecessary wars, we could help third world countries in need.

Reading the various blogs of my classmates has allowed me to finally make a stance on debatable topics such as abortion, the death penalty, and stem-cell research. I have truly enjoyed reading all of the various and have taken something from each one.

The Lumbee Language...

As I have mention in previous blogs the Lumbee tribe of North Carolina has no record or traces of a traditional language. For most people when hearing the Lumbee people speak, they speak with a different dialect. The words they speak are pronounced differently than what people are used to. Using words such as "over yonder" instead of "over there" or "dem" instead of "them," these are just an example of the difference in the words people use when carrying on a conversation amongst themselves. I have a different accent, most people just assume that I am country but coming from Robeson County I have one of the better dialects. For most people they assume that i am uneducated by the way that "talk" to others but being surrounded by this "language" for all of my life, it is a part of the norm for me to speak the way that I do. While I feel that the particular dialect sets my tribe a part from other races, I think that when presenting ourselves in front of others we should speak correct English, to sound "educated."

The Lumbee tribe has their own language, their dialect. It is something that is very interesting to hear, very unique. So if you ever have the opportunity, I suggest that you visit Robeson County to experience this particular dialect for yourself.