In a similar fashion I have heard these arguments here in Hawaii.  As an
archaeology graduate student - and a haole (which means foreigner in
Hawaiian and generally refers to "white"), I was told by a Hawaiian
history and language professor that because I was not Hawaiian, I had no
business studying Hawaiian history.  It was not possible for me to
understand their history.  She advocated a law that would prevent  any of
us from studying Hawaiian history, doing Hawaiian archaeology or studying
anthropology.
 
I would advocate that what I know about my original Eastern US culture
and history is not because I was born white, and thus must have had it in
my blood, but instead what I learned in school, etc.  Granted that much
of it was probably biased, but again, that was something taught, not
automatic because of my birth.
 
Jim Adams
University of Hawaii