americans - land of the confused?....

[Fubarian]

Got a question for everyone - in america...we have african-americans, mexican-americans and so on....

in canada...they have canadians...
in mexico...they have mexicans...

WHY are some so freakin anal about this? I don't call my self a [insert country]-american....I'm just an american...

can anyone shed some light on this?

[since this country is a "melting pot" why in the heck do we keep saying we're this american and that...aren't we just american if we are born here?!]

[NooNoo]

Fubarian, figure that one out and I think you would be on the way to world peace....

[Fubarian]

from now on, I'm an ohio-american <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

[Wayward Clam]

In Canada, I should clarify, we DO have "French Canadians" and "Native Canadians".

My own city also has an awful lot of Finnish, Italians, Ukrainians, Polish, and a few others.

[Elbatcho]

The reason is because it is such a mixing pot. No one is really from America, the history is only 300 years old. Everyone wants a history and a reason why they came here. African Americans have no history before they were shiped over here because most of the tribes were wiped out due to slavery. Every one wants to be something, Irish americans, Italian Americans, Polish Americans, Native Americans. They all want a sense of history before they arrvied. I'm English, I was born in England. I don't consider myself and Anglo American. In fact I am still a british subject, but I am a patriot of this contry, I was in the US marine corp and serverd this nation for 8 years. Does that make me more of a citizen than most no, but I did what many won't. People just want to be able to trace their family tree and establish a line of history. In europe we have this line and can trace our family back for centuries, you can't do that over here so they lump them selfs into groups. It's part pride and part sense of belonging.

[MacGyver]

You're right Elbatcho, except the term is melting pot. I found this interesting article (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/meltingpot/melt0222.htm) which puts a better light on things.

Toronto is probably the most multicultural city in the world - there are some places in town where there are no signs in English, the street signs are Chinese, ethnic areas that were settled during the war and the city has since infilled around them. Just about any ethnic group you can think of is represented here. in fact, so much so that sometimes the biggest requirement for finding work is speaking a particular language fluently - especially English!

[ßracius]

I am a Digital American <IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0">

[LabRat]

Originally posted by Bracius:
<STRONG>I am a Digital American <IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0"></STRONG>

Does that mean you were born in the Bronx? j/k

[small]

I believe the reason for this is that people in general cannot understand the world or anything in it unless it has a handy label. If you are a nonconformist, people don't like you. If you don't have an immediate handy label that can be pinned on you then you WILL be supplied with one, usually derogatory. If you insist on being unlabelled no one will talk to you or like you because you are wierd. If you don't perform this strange sort of distincual rascism, then everybody is rendered the same and sad people have nothing or nobody they can be better than because being a [fill in the blank]- american is preferable to being a [fill in the blank] - american.

This is my opinion, but there again, I am a wierdo.

[Lycia]

I have wondered the same thing.

I am of Mexican, Philipino, German, Jewish, and English ancestors. However, I was born in America, my parents were born here, and their parents before them were born here. I think that people feel that they aren't connected to their past, therefore they identify with it. Take Boxer Oscar Del La Hoya. He's American. Born and Raised. Yet the Mexican's identify with him because he is of Mexican decent. For him to deny that would mean losing out on a lot of money. Just one example, and not endemic to everyone. However, there is some thing in common with other people. Identity. No one wants to loose their identity. Everyone wants to feel they are a part of something. My mom is as American as I am, yet she continually subscribes to a certain ethnic magazine, watches ethic shows, gets pissed at shows who don't feature ethnic people.

Personally, when asked what my heritage is, I say American. On forms, I make my own check box and put American.

The problem is, Americans are joiners. Everyone wants to Join.

I feel, and this is my own theory, and this is only an example, that organizations, such as ones that provide help to any one ethnic background exclusivly, breed more Racism than any one individual. Personally, I say do away with race only programs. If you can't get into a job based on your color of skin, why would you want to work there anyway? Take responsibilty for yourself, stop joining groups that cater to one race, stop calling yourselves Afro-Americans, Mexican Americans, German American, etc. if you want equality. Take a stand and be AMERICAN!

[Fubarian]

yea I'm right with ya on that ElBatcho - I live here, this is my country, and I'm an american. Nothing else. Not a German-American, or Irish-American...just, american. About history - I could careless...but I assume this is a big issue with them

[Mr_Miyagi]

.....i'm english, does that count?
<IMG SRC="smilies/cool.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">

[Fubarian]

Lycia - you are so right about these special interest groups spreading more racism. Personally I consider these "activists" to be nothing but racists out to make themselves look better and try to cover it up by saying they're fighting for rights they already have.

[LabRat]

I'm of German, Irish, and Hispanic decent. Look Caucasion and grew up in Hispanic neighborhoods. The kicker is that I understand Mandarin and Cantonese Chinese and identify more with Chinese areas than others.

How confused is this? Makes for a tough time on the job application when the wording is what ethnic group do you identify yourself with the most? (They're probably just mad 'cause I marked 5 choices instead of the standard 1.)

[Shard92]

You guys are saying you don't like to be politically correct? I here ya.

Especially since I'm having trouble finding a Scotch/Irish/Swede/English/German-American club for me to join. <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

[Lycia]

Originally posted by Shard92:
<STRONG>You guys are saying you don't like to be politically correct? I here ya.

Especially since I'm having trouble finding a Scotch/Irish/Swede/English/German-American club for me to join. <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"></STRONG>


Shard, you can join my Mutt-American club.

[Wayward Clam]

Okay, I wanna be part of a Norse club because my great-great-aunt researched my lineage all the way back to Harald Bluetooth.

True fact! Plus, this means I'm gonna sue a whole bunch of people and get free wireless stuff for the rest of my life.

[Blue Falcon]

Originally posted by ElBatcho:
<STRONG>The reason is because it is such a mixing pot. No one is really from America, the history is only 300 years old. Everyone wants a history and a reason why they came here. African Americans have no history before they were shiped over here because most of the tribes were wiped out due to slavery. Every one wants to be something, Irish americans, Italian Americans, Polish Americans, Native Americans. They all want a sense of history before they arrvied. I'm English, I was born in England. I don't consider myself and Anglo American. In fact I am still a british subject, but I am a patriot of this contry, I was in the US marine corp and serverd this nation for 8 years. Does that make me more of a citizen than most no, but I did what many won't. People just want to be able to trace their family tree and establish a line of history. In europe we have this line and can trace our family back for centuries, you can't do that over here so they lump them selfs into groups. It's part pride and part sense of belonging.</STRONG>

I have often found myself starting many heated discussions about this topic. And I have asked the same question as Fubarian. But I have to admit, this makes a lot of sense. It's given me something to think about.

Thanks ElBatcho!

[Matt_29]

im ahh not sure .. seem by everyone im classed a lot of things .. lets see

loser, a$$hole, butthead, spaceman, mars man, windrivers addict, bad jokester (from dads blood on that one), irish and american .. yes im sure theres others to ..

[ßracius]

Originally posted by Shift_2_Break:
<STRONG>

Does that mean you were born in the Bronx? j/k</STRONG>

No, I was actually born in cyberspace. Kinda like Erwin off of Userfriendly (http://userfriendly.org). Mainley I just roam around servers looking for pictures of naked motherboards

[Blue Falcon]

I also agree with some of the other posters.

You are segregating yourself with the Hyphenated-American monicurs.

What better way to seperate yourself than declare a subset of a whole.

It's like the blue M&M's wanting their own bag because the green ones don't relate.

On a tangent, I also have a problem with Curves for Women (a fitness club). Hello?! Can we scream reverse-sexism?

And do you think for a second that we could have the All White - All Male Television Network? (not that I want one). But there is Lifetime (television for women), the BET, and other numerous programs/stations out there that are basically reversely discriminitory. And it's perfectly legal! How about the Caucasion College fund?

Argh! My head hurts.

Hey, I'm all for diversity. In fact, I love it. But purposefully segregating yourself is just wrong, if with the other breath you bitch about things not being equal. Hello?

I live for the day where I can not feel uncomfortable around an ethnic group just because I'm caucasion (I'm not always uncomfortable, just under certain circumstances). ****, I didn't participate in slave trading. I wasn't alive yet when women couldn't vote.

God, I hope I don't sound like an ***. Perhaps I'm not converying myself correctly.

Am I clear, or do I sound racist/sexist? This topic is just too sensitive. I'm afraid to stick my foot in my mouth.

[WebHead]

I think it's because we know we're American because we were born here, or have gained citizenship here, but at the same time, we're proud of where we came from. I usually just refer to myself as American if I have to label myself something. But if I was forced to be more specific, then I'd be an "Irish-Czech-German-English-and whatever else I don't know about-American".

[Stalemate]

I guess some influence derives from political correctness also. It would be considerd *almost* racist to refer to someone by something other than a hyphenated title when describing heritage nowadays.

I understand the importance of historical heritage, but this political correctness is getting so bad that being a white male can now be seen as a social stygma!

I guess I could then label myself a French American-Canadian (born in the US to French Canadian parents) <IMG SRC="smilies/cool.gif" border="0">

[Fubarian]

I wasn't going to post this, but since Falcon is being right...let me say this

If I'm jewish, and start a jewish college fund...thats ok
if I hold a conference and its mexicans only...thats ok too... (this has been done, not with mexicans, but it did happen in my state, I raised hell, but wasn't listened to)

but if I'm white, and want to have a white's only fund...that is illegal as hell. Yet the others are not.... <IMG SRC="smilies/confused.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/confused.gif" border="0">

[CreepingDeath]

at some points im ashamed to call myself an american when i see the stupid sh** we argue and fight over.

I'm from Philadelphia , Pennsylvania USA whether I like it or not.

alright im done.

please excuse some of my posts today im in a very bad mood <IMG SRC="smilies/mad.gif" border="0">

[ephmynus]

I am a fraidof Americans... I'm afraid of the world..

Oh sorry David Bowie and good old Trent... what a couple.

Anyhow, the way I figure it is everyone wants a place in history. American is such a broad term and doesn't cut it for some people. If we really wanted to classify ourselves that way, most people would have to use about 18 words. We're not all from a singular background. I do not know why it is so important for some people to express what background they are from but.. hey, if it makes 'em feel better, go with the flow.

I'm cherokee-blackfoot-native-german-irish-american.

[Twisted_Mister]

1/4 Irish, 1/4 American Indian, and 1/2German. Mix and shake well. Yields one (1) American. I agree wholeheartedly - these cultural and racial zealots are themselves propogating racism. Your ethnic origin really means nothing to me - I am more interested in charachter and principles. ( Of which I have none...) <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

[opiate]

It's all for political sake.

Saying that someone is African would mean they are African, born raised and still live there.

Saying that someone is American African would mean the are an American African. Meaning they were born in America or have a citizenship.

My mom studies genealogy as a hobby. She has traced our family tree all the way back to 1650's in England. Her maiden name has change about 4 times from its original. My fathers (RIP) side is German and that's all we know.

[Spork]

Well, all I know is that I would classify myself as a "Drunken American".

[Kymera]

Originally posted by Fubarian:
<STRONG>I wasn't going to post this, but since Falcon is being right...let me say this

If I'm jewish, and start a jewish college fund...thats ok
if I hold a conference and its mexicans only...thats ok too... (this has been done, not with mexicans, but it did happen in my state, I raised hell, but wasn't listened to)

but if I'm white, and want to have a white's only fund...that is illegal as hell. Yet the others are not.... <IMG SRC="smilies/confused.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/confused.gif" border="0"></STRONG>

If you really think about this you could understand why that is so. It's not that it is illegal, but the history of such groups and activities have such a negative conotation that it isn't feasable. It's probably the same reason Germany prohibits even the sale of Nazi related material in their country.

I also disagree with the melting pot analogy. The US is not like that at all, it's more like a salad bowl, where everything is mixed together, but vegetable each has their own individual flavor. If you still look at all of the racial/ethnic tension that is still prevalent here you can see that we're not all melted together, but very, very seperate.

[FooL]

The name is Welsh. But that's it. Every person we can trace in my family line was born and raised on American soil. My family history goes back to when this country was forming, but we can't find anything before that. We don't know who came from what boat.

And You know what, I don't care. I am an American. I look to the future for my identity. My children will carry on my name.

[geeksRus]

it is merely a symptom of a country that has lost its way.
it is no longer enuff to be an American, we are hated around the world even though tens of thousands from other lands are doing flips and twists to get here.
it is also possible that if you are part of a minority or a group perceived as being discriminated against this will play in your favor.

[ßracius]

I also dream in digital, that goes hand-in-hand with being a Digital-American.

[small]

I'm British, I have always thought of myself as British. If I was American I would be English/Scotish/Greek and Russian 1/4 of each and really 'ucking confused. I don't give a toss about political correctness, baa baa green sheep, what the hell sort of message is that to send to kids? If people can't face up to the fact that there are many of us in all different shapes and colours and each one is a human being and has exactly the same range of feelings and basic goals, then there is no hope.

We get a lot of american TV over here and it seems to promote a strange kind of rascism with this (other country) American identity, artificially creating ethnic minoritis. Springer is one of the worst.

Does anyone know if Australia has a similar identity crisis? That is a colonised country the same as America.

TTFN a stoned limey. Cor blimey, guv.

[CobraTekMax]

I'm an American...for now...until I can get Cobra Island declared as it's own republic with it's own government. Then I guess I'd be a Cobrian.

[Larommi]

Originally posted by Fubarian:
<STRONG>Got a question for everyone - in america...we have african-americans, mexican-americans and so on....

in canada...they have canadians...
in mexico...they have mexicans...

WHY are some so freakin anal about this? I don't call my self a [insert country]-american....I'm just an american...

can anyone shed some light on this?

[since this country is a "melting pot" why in the heck do we keep saying we're this american and that...aren't we just american if we are born here?!]</STRONG>


Easy, this is a country where bad feelings get be fixed with a lawsuit!!

[snooper2]

i think we should just be called americans and thats it. elbatcho i salute u for serving our country. in the marines there is no color in there we are all just green,and thats what makes us an elite force.

[http://forums.windrivers.com/cgi-bin/forum1/noncgi]

If everyone that migrate to USA is called an AMERICAN,... then wat do we call the caucasians that migrage to China ..?? CHINESE..?? Give it a thought.

[talltech]

IceNine

Yes we have from what I can see, many of the problems that also exist in USA also apply to australia. We too seem to be the landing point for peoples of all kinds. Out pollies call us a tolerant society. I mean we have australian aboriginals. Duh, I did not know we had any other kind on the planet

[talltech]

IceNine

Yes we have from what I can see, many of the problems that also exist in USA also apply to australia. We too seem to be the landing point for peoples of all kinds. Out pollies call us a tolerant society. I mean we have australian aboriginals. Duh, I did not know we had any other kind on the planet

[Mr_Miyagi]

Originally posted by geeksRus:
<STRONG>it is merely a symptom of a country that has lost its way.
it is no longer enuff to be an American, we are hated around the world even though tens of thousands from other lands are doing flips and twists to get here.
it is also possible that if you are part of a minority or a group perceived as being discriminated against this will play in your favor.</STRONG>

i would not say "hate"; more like misunderstand... i personally get very upset at the gun culture - something we dont have over here - but thats a whole new subject! <IMG SRC="smilies/cool.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">

[Mr_Miyagi]

Originally posted by Solid Cobra:
<STRONG>I'm an American...for now...until I can get Cobra Island declared as it's own republic with it's own government. Then I guess I'd be a Cobrian.</STRONG>

...then i guess youll be:

COBRIAN-AMERICAN

lol
<IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/cool.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/confused.gif" border="0">

[Matt_29]

See ... i dont feel its a issue of people being seperated its a matter of people liking of a different belief ... I am white (mostly irish) but i grew up in a African American neighbor hood .. yes i was one of the only few white .. After a long while i belived i was African American these people who had different color then me were no less part of me then myself. I felt a small amount of the pain that African Americans feel, I was called slang names of white people "trying" to be black .. and all sorts but to us we were family ..

we "seperated" to where we were strong and close. I was part of the gangs and all, needless to say it was a huge mistake .. but alot of people dont feel the pressue and rejection cause of your race
.. its the same way you can sit in a wheel chair and pretend whats its like .. but knowing you can always get up takes 50% of it away .. so you dont know .. same thing with race and color .. seperation is usually called for cause of the understanding of ideas's and feeling's and life .. just like we are here at WINDRIVERS

[TheLow1]

Originally posted by Lycia:
<STRONG> **SNIP** I feel, and this is my own theory, and this is only an example, that organizations, such as ones that provide help to any one ethnic background exclusivly, breed more Racism than any one individual**SNIP**</STRONG>

I feel the same way, A few months back I tryied to get a student loan. Because I am married my wife has a job and we don't live at home with Mommy and are not a "Minority" I had a very hard time getting a loan. Yet If I get rich and started giving loans only to middle class white folks, I would considered the racist. I am not, I just hate people that think they deserve more than the next guy because he is differant. This includes money in the bank or possition in socity.

[small]

TallTech

Glad to see a reply. I was interested to know cos I have family in Australia and have been thinking of moving there permanently. Question is though, is it a tolerent society? We still having troubles in the UK, those who are old enough to have been through the war are 'generally' the least tolerant but with 'freedom of speech', there are enough trouble makers to cause problems for all divisions in society. It's a curse.

[macg]

My Dog is a K9 American. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">