FAQ
Q: Why do you call yourself an Indian? I thought “Indian” was the wrong term to use when speaking about Native Americans? Isn’t it racist?
A: “Indian” is the universally-accepted term that we use for ourselves. Indians refer to other Indians as being Indian. We do this in casual and formal ways. My tribe is officially known as the Spokane Tribe of Indians. But I do need to put a qualifier in here. In truth, a very small percentage of Indians dislike (or even hate) the term “Indian.” They view it as racist and self-colonizing. I’d reply to that by making a simple observation: language evolves. Indians have long since claimed the word “Indian.” It belongs to us now. Also, to make a sarcastic point, the only Indians who object to being called Indian are the ones who spend too much time around white folks who exclusively refer to us as “Native American” or “indigenous.”
Q: You just used the term “indigenous.” Haven’t “Indian” and “Native American” been replaced by “indigenous”? And isn’t indigenous supposed to be capitalized? Aren’t you an Indigenous person?
A: Again, “indigenous” is a term used most passionately and vocally by a very small percentage of Indians. I use the term quite often myself but I don’t consider it more important than “Indian” or “Native American.” These days, “indigenous” is more of a leftist political term. On another sarcastic note, I’d argue that “Indigenous,” capitalized, is a term used most often by highly-educated and elite Indians who spend far too much time with white leftist graduate students.
Q: Wait, aren’t you a leftist, college-educated, and elite Indian who spends a lot of time with white people with advanced university degrees?
A: Yep. Hypocrisy is a dish best served with fry bread.
Q: So what should I, as a white person, call you?
A: To be a good leftist, call us Indigenous. To be safe, call us Native American.
Q: Which is your favorite kind of writing? Fiction, poetry, screenwriting, or non-fiction?
A: I’m a poet. If I could make a decent living by just writing poems, I would be 100% a poet. I’d be sad to give up fiction, kinda sad to give up non-fiction, and joyous to give up screenwriting. Poetry is my true love; fiction is my day job.
Q: Will you read my manuscript and give me advice?
A: I’m sorry. But, for legal reasons, I won’t read any manuscripts sent to me. They’ll remain unopened and unread.
Q: Who are some of your favorite writers?
A: Emily Dickinson, Ralph Ellison, Simon Ortiz, Tim O’Brien, Lorrie Moore, Sandra Cisneros, Richard Wright, Lucille Clifton, James Wright, Frank O’Hara, Leslie Silko, Adrian C. Louis, Colson Whitehead, Rita Dove, A.E. Stallings, C.K. Williams, Luis Urrea, and Jane Austen, just to name a few.
Q: What if I have other questions?
A: Please head over to the Contact Us page and send them to me.