[billbears]

Thomas said he has worn a turquoise bracelet, key-chain adornment and other accessories symbolizing his heritage every day and to all school functions for about four years. He wore a bolo -- a string tie held together with a round ornament common in the Southwest -- to a formal school function and during rehearsal the day before graduation.

Google search Cherokee, turquoise, bolo

I'd say the kid's got a point. Especially considering he wore it regularly to other functions. And for you to say it's historical inaccuracy, I don't remember him saying a specific date. Anything before 1985 to him was historical. Does that also mean we shouldn't remember WWII victories yet because they're not historical enough?

[dead]

Anything before 1985 to him was historical. Does that also mean we shouldn't remember WWII victories yet because they're not historical enough?

Heritage and historical are not synonyms. He’s claiming that the bolo tie is an intricate part of his racial heritage. It’s not. The fact that Indians make them for sale now does not make it part of their heritage. The current common manufacturing origins of plastic leis, tomahawks, shamrocks, eiffle towers, and fake vomit doesn't make those things part of Chinese heritage either.

But the historical inaccuracy of his claim is irrelevant to those cowed by any claim of racial grievance. The kid is smart enough to know what strings to pull.