Many mixed blood (cherokee/Irish) here in the southeastern U.S. refer to ourselfs as “black Irish” or “black Dutch”.
Out of fear of being sent west (trail of tears) our ancestors who had intermarried denied their rightful Indian blood by referring to themselfs as “black Irish”. Many full blooded followed suit.
Today, those of us who have researched our heritage, are proud to claim our native american heritage.
I do not know where the term originated, but if my ancestors had not used it, I may not be here today.
earthdreamer. Welcome to the Straight Dope. If you can link to the column it’s a big help. I assume you’re talking about this one Who are the “black Irish”?.
You said
I wonder where you got your information. Not saying you’re incorrect, just wondering where that came from?
Never ever heard anyone in Alabama refer to themselves thusly, just sayin’.
I agree with Earthdreamer, here in Alabama we used Black Irish for those that had some indian blood {Creek, Choctaw, Chickasaw and Cherokee} that lived in south Alabama, mostly along the coast. Black Dutch was a common phrase for the those with indian blood that lived in the northern part of the state. That may be because the northern part of Alabama was settle with a lot of Dutch descendances coming for the Western part of the Carolinas.
Mt father is first-generation America (his parents emigrated from Ireland in the 1920s.) This side of the family (I have many first- and second-cousins on the Factotum side) is mostly dark haired. We have never referred toourselves as Black Irish. I first heard the term when I was in the Navy in my twenties, but some guy with a very French last name.
(And no one in my family has ever had that Lucky Charms/Chief O’Hara accent.)