This hyphen American thing is out of hand

[blacklabman]

First we are given African-American. The spelling bee champion was referred to as Indian-American. Then I read that the teenager killed in the Israeli incident was a Turkish-American. My heritage is Anglo-Swiss, but I refer to myself as an American and only an American.

if you can't consider yourself as an American first, go back to your where ever.

 

[Larry Gude]

You never think ethnically? You never feel different or, at least, notice the difference, between yourself and other Americans? I've always noticed the differences between myself and Jews wearing a Yarmulke, the tighter male/male and female/female bonds of blacks, St. Patrick's Day has always been someone else's celebration to me, Italians are different, rednecks I know are different than other groups, yuppies, white wine drinkers, etc.

The thing, to me, that got lost in translation between the melting pot and individual freedom is that instead of just all being people who believe in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness which, obviously, can be a great many different things while following the same basic rules of fairness, law and order, we've 'melted' into this people who react with horror over differences that have nothing to do with our own rights and freedoms.

I relate to Germans on many levels. And the English. And Scott's. And, if you can keep a secret, the French.

 

[Libertarian]

You never think ethnically? You never feel different or, at least, notice the difference, between yourself and other Americans? I've always noticed the differences between myself and Jews wearing a Yarmulke, the tighter male/male and female/female bonds of blacks, St. Patrick's Day has always been someone else's celebration to me, Italians are different, rednecks I know are different than other groups, yuppies, white wine drinkers, etc.

The thing, to me, that got lost in translation between the melting pot and individual freedom is that instead of just all being people who believe in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness which, obviously, can be a great many different things while following the same basic rules of fairness, law and order, we've 'melted' into this people who react with horror over differences that have nothing to do with our own rights and freedoms.

I relate to Germans on many levels. And the English. And Scott's. And, if you can keep a secret, the French.

Larry, that is actually a very good point. I used to get po'd about the hyphen thing too, but your comment above actually makes alot of sense. The reason I don't refer to myself as Euro-American or what have you is not because I don't relate to Europeans (in fact, I do), it is instead because I am several generations displaced from the continent.

 

[Vince]

I don't refer to myself as Italian/American, just American. The African-American or Hispanic-American is nothing but If you don't consider yourself an American, go back to your own country wherever that may be.

 

[AmericanMom]

I'm Female-American

 

[bcp]

Larry, that is actually a very good point. I used to get po'd about the hyphen thing too, but your comment above actually makes alot of sense. The reason I don't refer to myself as Euro-American or what have you is not because I don't relate to Europeans (in fact, I do), it is instead because I am several generations displaced from the continent.

Several generations displaced. and so, you consider yourself an American.

how about the "african Americans" that couldnt even tell you where their ancestors came from? how about the "african Americans" that dont even have a family tie to Africa?

If people want to blend in and be one with the society, to be treated exactly equal to everyone else, then they have to get used to the fact that they are Americans, not african Americans, or hispanic Americans, they are just American. no better, no less than any other American.

They need to stop wearing the title on their sleeve.

 

[KingFish]

If your German, English, or Scottish, raise your hand. If your French, raise both hands.

 

[Larry Gude]

Larry, that is actually a very good point. I used to get po'd about the hyphen thing too, but your comment above actually makes alot of sense. The reason I don't refer to myself as Euro-American or what have you is not because I don't relate to Europeans (in fact, I do), it is instead because I am several generations displaced from the continent.

But you are still going to more readily identify with a European mindset than a black African or Asian or Native American or Indian, right?

 

[bcp]

But you are still going to more readily identify with a European mindset than a black African or Asian or Native American or Indian, right?

I think first you have to come up with a rule that defines a black, or Asian or Indian mindset.
Dont look at the fringe, look at those that want to be part of the mainstream and have dedicated their lives to doing so. Wont find much difference with them.

 

[Matthew]

Several generations displaced. and so, you consider yourself an American.

how about the "african Americans" that couldnt even tell you where their ancestors came from? how about the "african Americans" that dont even have a family tie to Africa?

If people want to blend in and be one with the society, to be treated exactly equal to everyone else, then they have to get used to the fact that they are Americans, not african Americans, or hispanic Americans, they are just American. no better, no less than any other American.

They need to stop wearing the title on their sleeve.

As you know, I was born elsewhere, The only time I ever thought of my heritage was when it was thrown in my face (Chink, Spick, Jap, half breed, flip. four eyes, etc etcetera). Otherwise, I grew up like any other American youth, with paper routes, baseball, football,soccer , listening to the same music, and dreaming of the same cars (my fav was a sparkle blue converible Sting Ray). I was proud of my heritage, but it sure made little difference in where I was standing or where I was going.

 

[Larry Gude]

I think first you have to come up with a rule that defines a black, or Asian or Indian mindset.
Dont look at the fringe, look at those that want to be part of the mainstream and have dedicated their lives to doing so. Wont find much difference with them.

A rule.

Blacks are very family oriented. In general.

Asians are damn hard workers who excel at math. In general.

Indians are damn hard workers who excel at spelling b's. In general.



In general. No rules.

 

[Matthew]

A rule.

Blacks are very family oriented. In general.

Asians are damn hard workers who excel at math. In general.

Indians are damn hard workers who excel at spelling b's. In general.



In general. No rules.

LOL While I am a hard worker, I am lousy at math , except Algebra.

 

[chernmax]

If you feel a need to Hyphenate your country, use Stupid-American!!

 

[Matthew]

If you feel a need to Hyphenate your country, use Stupid-American!!

LOL, just look at what its done to Europe (as if they didnt deserve it !)

 

[DEEKAYPEE8569]

First we are given African-American. The spelling bee champion was referred to as Indian-American. Then I read that the teenager killed in the Israeli incident was a Turkish-American. My heritage is Anglo-Swiss, but I refer to myself as an American and only an American.

if you can't consider yourself as an American first, go back to your where ever.

We all know who the real, true Americans are. They have tribes and Casinos. They are primarily out West and in Arizona now because that is where the now hyphen-American settlers pushed them.

Yes folks, I speak of the Indians or American-Indians; to be more specific and hopefully "P.C."; since East Indians live in the U.S. also. Neither of which I have ANY beefs with. I don't usually have any problems with anybody; Red, Brown, "Beige", Black.

I, myself am a "Heinz 57" of sorts, but that is not what people see. I am 1/2 Japanese and 1/2 Scott-Irish, but to look at me; the first thing most people see and say, is Mexican or Puerto Rican; neither of which I am dark-complected enough to be. My Brother is always told he looks Italian. NOT EVEN close.

Let's face it. We as humans; not just Americans; are judged by appearance FIRST; and I say this having been rousted by the local constabulary MANY times just because of the way I look. They won't admit it, but I don't expect them to. Sorry.....went on a tangent. My point is, if you're not "American-Indian" ;which SHOULD be just Indian; you're a "Hyphen-American."

It's tough to put into print but a comedian named Ralphie May made a distinction between "American-Indian" and "East-Indian" in his act.
One would have to have seen it to know what I'm talking about.

 

[Merlin99]

A rule.

Blacks are very family oriented. In general.

Asians are damn hard workers who excel at math. In general.

Indians are damn hard workers who excel at spelling b's. In general.



In general. No rules.

Possibly the the female gender, but look at the number of single black mothers compared to any other subset.

 

[bcp]

A rule.

Blacks are very family oriented. In general.

Asians are damn hard workers who excel at math. In general.

Indians are damn hard workers who excel at spelling b's. In general.



In general. No rules.

Profile much?

 

[ciwmj]

How about this. If you want to be differentiated be an Artist - American,or Teacher-American,or Soldier-American, etc. But stop being a Whiner-American and get off your butts and do something that makes a difference.

 

[Matthew]

We all know who the real, true Americans are. They have tribes and Casinos. They are primarily out West and in Arizona now because that is where the now hyphen-American settlers pushed them.

Yes folks, I speak of the Indians or American-Indians; to be more specific and hopefully "P.C."; since East Indians live in the U.S. also. Neither of which I have ANY beefs with. I don't usually have any problems with anybody; Red, Brown, "Beige", Black.

I, myself am a "Heinz 57" of sorts, but that is not what people see. I am 1/2 Japanese and 1/2 Scott-Irish, but to look at me; the first thing most people see and say, is Mexican or Puerto Rican; neither of which I am dark-complected enough to be. My Brother is always told he looks Italian. NOT EVEN close.

Let's face it. We as humans; not just Americans; are judged by appearance FIRST; and I say this having been rousted by the local constabulary MANY times just because of the way I look. They won't admit it, but I don't expect them to. Sorry.....went on a tangent. My point is, if you're not "American-Indian" ;which SHOULD be just Indian; you're a "Hyphen-American."

It's tough to put into print but a comedian named Ralphie May made a distinction between "American-Indian" and "East-Indian" in his act.
One would have to have seen it to know what I'm talking about.

Native Americans came from somewhere else and apparently not just from Asia.

 

[Libertarian]

Native Americans came from somewhere else and apparently not just from Asia.

Additionally, they fought, displaced, and killed each other for land and other things. Thus, the colonists "stealing this land" was not a new concept.