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 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">