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Anonymous Posting
Anonymous posting is only appropriate when you are sharing sensitive information about bar exam prep. You may anonymously respond on topic to these threads. Unacceptable uses include: harassing another user, joking around, testing the feature, or other things that are more appropriate in the lounge.
Failure to follow these rules will get you outed, warned, or banned."
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hiphophead
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Fri Oct 21, 2011 9:53 pm
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IAFG
- Posts: 6641
- Joined: Mon Jun 15, 2009 1:26 pm
Re: Black female with Native American background (DS question)
I don't understand why you don't want to check the box if you do want to talk about it. I think you're interpreting the meaning of "identify as" too narrowly.
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crumpetsandtea
- Posts: 7147
- Joined: Thu Jun 17, 2010 7:57 pm
Re: Black female with Native American background (DS question)
You should be fine, I think. It sounds like a really interesting DS topic, and I don't see it being an issue at C&F (though I'm a 0L so take that with a grain of salt). If it does become a C&F issue, you should be able to prove your NA heritage by presenting documents from your grandfather, right? (I'm not NA so I don't really know how that works or if that's even necessary).
I say write it: it's clearly something you actually care about and could write about. The only times where this sort of thing becomes an issue, in my opinion, is if someone has NEVER addressed/embraced a certain part of their heritage before and suddenly they want to get all up in it because they think it'll help them with admissions. It doesn't seem like it's the case here.
Or, if you're really paranoid, just check the box. It won't hurt.
I say write it: it's clearly something you actually care about and could write about. The only times where this sort of thing becomes an issue, in my opinion, is if someone has NEVER addressed/embraced a certain part of their heritage before and suddenly they want to get all up in it because they think it'll help them with admissions. It doesn't seem like it's the case here.
Or, if you're really paranoid, just check the box. It won't hurt.
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AriGoldButNicer
- Posts: 367
- Joined: Sun Oct 09, 2011 2:19 pm
Re: Black female with Native American background (DS question)
I think it's interesting. I don't really know too much about the NA culture, because our media for whatever reason really hasn't shown them very often. This has always suggested to me that they're very isolated, and therefore may care more about one's dedication than their genetic connection. It could be the cultures are really distant, which I find fascinating. I'd read that, but I don't know how big of a factor that is.
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hiphophead
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Fri Oct 21, 2011 9:53 pm
Re: Black female with Native American background (DS question)
I'm not sure how to quote multiple people, so I'll just try to respond to everyone at once. First off, thank you for your help!
I'm hesitant to check the box for a few reasons.
@IAFG - I see your point. I guess the best explanation I have for my reasoning is that I have no hesitation in checking the AA box, I've always thought of myself as black. My parents also think of themselves as black. My father's father (who I never met) was white, but I don't identify with this at all and would never check that box. I guess my level of identification with my NA background is somewhere in between.
@crumpetsandtea/Ari - I've also never checked it before (undergrad, LSAC/LSAT, etc.) and from what limited information I have it seems like that would be a red flag for C&F purposes. Maybe someone with some knowledge can speak to this? Also, bc of the strained relationship, I only met my grandfather once and he passed away only shortly afterwards. My grandmother is over 100 and has Alzheimer's. These complications, compounded with the fact that they were both born in rural Mississippi in places with little to no recordkeeping, suggests to me I might have some trouble proving this if I had to.
I'm thinking any confusion for admissions people would be clarified if I just speak to my not checking the box in my DS as I think that is largely informed by the topics I'm discussing and thus relevant. I guess they can do with that information what they would like. If my circumstances meet their criteria for an admissions boost, I can't see them not giving it to me because of my uncertainty.
I'm hesitant to check the box for a few reasons.
@IAFG - I see your point. I guess the best explanation I have for my reasoning is that I have no hesitation in checking the AA box, I've always thought of myself as black. My parents also think of themselves as black. My father's father (who I never met) was white, but I don't identify with this at all and would never check that box. I guess my level of identification with my NA background is somewhere in between.
@crumpetsandtea/Ari - I've also never checked it before (undergrad, LSAC/LSAT, etc.) and from what limited information I have it seems like that would be a red flag for C&F purposes. Maybe someone with some knowledge can speak to this? Also, bc of the strained relationship, I only met my grandfather once and he passed away only shortly afterwards. My grandmother is over 100 and has Alzheimer's. These complications, compounded with the fact that they were both born in rural Mississippi in places with little to no recordkeeping, suggests to me I might have some trouble proving this if I had to.
I'm thinking any confusion for admissions people would be clarified if I just speak to my not checking the box in my DS as I think that is largely informed by the topics I'm discussing and thus relevant. I guess they can do with that information what they would like. If my circumstances meet their criteria for an admissions boost, I can't see them not giving it to me because of my uncertainty.
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crumpetsandtea
- Posts: 7147
- Joined: Thu Jun 17, 2010 7:57 pm
Re: Black female with Native American background (DS question)
IMO, it would be easier to avoid C&F repercussions if you just wrote a DS and didn't check off NA on your apps (as opposed to checking them off). I honestly don't think it will be an issue unless you are lying about your heritage.
Also, to quote multiple people, in the 'reply' page scroll down and click the 'quote' button on the upper right hand side of each post listed below the submit/preview/save/cancel buttons. (:
Also, to quote multiple people, in the 'reply' page scroll down and click the 'quote' button on the upper right hand side of each post listed below the submit/preview/save/cancel buttons. (:
