Why is it like this?

[smoothg103rd]

I just was thinking, and I'm not trying to be racist or anything. But this really is on my mind. It's Latin American, Asian American, Native American, and African American. So why there isn't Europe American? Not trying to start a race war or anything, this really just on my mind. If the history books are right, the Indians was here first. So why they just isn't consider Americans and Whites are Europe Americans. And if I was born here, why can't I just call myself American, instead of African American? Can someone please explain this to me?

 

[Recidiva]

I'm an American, but I'm white, Scots and German background, which are indistinguishable mostly by just looking at people. I was not raised to be proud of my heritages, though I know them. Other groups need more time to gain distinction in American history.

I call people what they'd like to be called. If you want to be called just American, cool. Mostly I think it's for distinction, because people are proud of their heritage, and then that distinction can be used against someone if it gets ugly.

So I can explain why people want to create a distinction, but not why it should be used against someone.

If a drag queen wants to be called "she" I will do that too.

 

[BabblingBrooke]

You can just call yourself American. This cultural norm comes from Europeans "discovering" America.

 

[smoothg103rd]

I'm an American, but I'm white, Scots and German background, which are indistinguishable mostly by just looking at people. I was not raised to be proud of my heritages, though I know them. Other groups need more time to gain distinction in American history.

I call people what they'd like to be called. If you want to be called just American, cool. Mostly I think it's for distinction, because people are proud of their heritage, and then that distinction can be used against someone if it gets ugly.

So I can explain why people want to create a distinction, but not why it should be used against someone.

If a drag queen wants to be called "she" I will do that too.

99% of blacks in America, never been to Africa, so what heritage?

 

[dolf]

no idea. it's weird. I've always thought it was weird. we just don't say stuff like that over here.

how are you African/Asian/Irish if you were born elsewhere, were raised elsewhere, and have never even seen Africa/Asia/Ireland?

 

[Aquagal]

Whenever I've traveled and visited foreign countries I don't say I'm Mexican American, so why should I here? I'm American.

 

[Recidiva]

99% of blacks in America, never been to Africa, so what heritage?

There's a heritage there. Family is a huge motivator and having it stolen and sold is a loss of a part of the soul.

Reclaiming it is important. Maybe not to everyone, maybe not to you, but to many people, it matters. Now you can even do it by DNA analysis, just to know where in the world your family is or was.

I've never been to Scotland, never been to Germany, and I consider myself a human mutt essentially, mixed breed. But family means a lot to me and even if my family tree shows not so much distinction, it still matters. I have a cousin who does ancestry and mostly we hear about it at family reunions. I know I had a male ancestor die of...heat stroke? In a war? Really, not something to be proud about, but I do know it.

It matters to some, but it doesn't have to matter to you.

 

[smoothg103rd]

no idea. it's weird. I've always thought it was weird. we just don't say stuff like that over here.

how are you African/Asian/Irish if you were born elsewhere, were raised elsewhere, and have never even seen Africa/Asia/Ireland?

It's stupid.

 

[pollynova]

I just want to be American.

 

[eyer]

Everybody wannabe somebody, sometime.

 

[smoothg103rd]

There's a heritage there. Family is a huge motivator and having it stolen and sold is a loss of a part of the soul.

Reclaiming it is important. Maybe not to everyone, maybe not to you, but to many people, it matters. Now you can even do it by DNA analysis, just to know where in the world your family is or was.

I've never been to Scotland, never been to Germany, and I consider myself a human mutt essentially, mixed breed. But family means a lot to me and even if my family tree shows not so much distinction, it still matters. I have a cousin who does ancestry and mostly we hear about it at family reunions. I know I had a male ancestor die of...heat stroke? In a war? Really, not something to be proud about, but I do know it.

It matters to some, but it doesn't have to matter to you.

Ok, I understand that. But why there is nothing for white?

 

[Recidiva]

Ok, I understand that. But why there is nothing for white?

Because "White Power" has awful connotations. It isn't really good as a white person to claim to be proud of their heritage, too much historical mess. I was raised to respect cultures, including my own, but not to be too proud of it in the sense that I think I'm better than other people because of heritage. That to me is what's cool about being American. I can celebrate culture, not enforce it.

Seriously, how would I sound if I said I was proud of all of my German heritage and I wanted to express it all, White Power!

Scottish is easier, but it's still kinda embarrassing.

 

[smoothg103rd]

Because "White Power" has awful connotations. It isn't really good as a white person to claim to be proud of their heritage, too much historical mess. I was raised to respect cultures, including my own, but not to be too proud of it in the sense that I think I'm better than other people because of heritage. That to me is what's cool about being American. I can celebrate culture, not enforce it.

Seriously, how would I sound if I said I was proud of all of my German heritage and I wanted to express it all, White Power!

Scottish is easier, but it's still kinda embarrassing.

What's wrong with Scottish and German? I don't know any of this.

 

[Recidiva]

What's wrong with Scottish and German? I don't know any of this.

Well, German - Nazis.

Scots is just...tribes of people stealing each other's cattle and getting drunk for centuries. Not that it's wrong, just when was the last time you've heard of a great Scottish innovation that didn't involve alcohol?

 

[kalligeneia]

There's Irish-American, Italian-American and probably more if you dug into it a little. Certainly those two are the first that come easiest to mind. My Master is French-American, but residing elsewhere. Although on top of that, whether someone identifies as X-American or just American is entirely up to them!

 

[Colonel Hogan]

I just was thinking, and I'm not trying to be racist or anything. But this really is on my mind. It's Latin American, Asian American, Native American, and African American. So why there isn't Europe American? Not trying to start a race war or anything, this really just on my mind. If the history books are right, the Indians was here first. So why they just isn't consider Americans and Whites are Europe Americans. And if I was born here, why can't I just call myself American, instead of African American? Can someone please explain this to me?

Actually, the different labels you are talking about IS a race issue -- but not in a negative way. Government and other bureaucratic officialdom use these labels when they deem it necessary to analyze population densities and other demographic statistics by race.

The label for whites and most Europeans is Caucasian.

The labels seem to change over time, often in response to criticisms not unlike those you are suggesting. African American, for example, is a fairly recent designation. For most of my life, the racial designation for someone of African descent on official forms was either "Black" or "Negro."

The sad history of our country is that racial stereotypes -- and certainly not just toward African Americans -- have too frequently been negative. Thus, just the verbal or written communication of the label may spark an unpleasant memory.

But the reference to one's race does not have to be negative at all. It is merely a very general reference to one's approximate geographical heritage. Very general.

Not all dark skinned people are from Africa, obviously, and, for that, matter a mere designation of "African American" tells us nothing about what part of Africa a person's descendants were from. Same with Asians. I may be wrong, but I suspect Japanese and Chinese peoples feel more distinct from each other than they do similar. Caucasians? Get a Scottsman and Irishman together over a couple of pints and see which direction the conversation takes!

Which is why your initial point is well taken, Smooth. Leave the labels to the bureaucrats and exclude them from social discourse as much as possible.

For the most part, I think we do that already.

 

[phrodeau]

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/may/9/rubbin-buttz-bbq-hispanic-owned-restaurant-hit-bom/

DENVER—The Hispanic restaurant owners who ignited an uproar over their plans to hold White Appreciation Day next month were forced to evacuate their barbecue joint late Friday after a bomb scare.

 

[SmileyGirl]

Well, German - Nazis.

Scots is just...tribes of people stealing each other's cattle and getting drunk for centuries. Not that it's wrong, just when was the last time you've heard of a great Scottish innovation that didn't involve alcohol?

They aren't all drunken bums. Some famous Scots

 

[Recidiva]

They aren't all drunken bums. Some famous Scots

Oh, thank you, cool list!

Okay, there are awesome Scots and I'm actually part of the Stewart clan and we have a castle I should be able to go hang out in if I wanted to...

But really, although I have the unicorn crest for the tartan...

I'm not...really proud at all...

*cough*

Nope.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Youre all of you fucking half-breed Heinz 57 ersatz Canadian niggers. I don't get why any of you wanna live.

 

[Recidiva]

Youre all of you fucking half-breed Heinz 57 ersatz Canadian niggers. I don't get why any of you wanna live.

Oh...shit...laughing.

Asshole.

 

[smoothg103rd]

Well, German - Nazis.

Scots is just...tribes of people stealing each other's cattle and getting drunk for centuries. Not that it's wrong, just when was the last time you've heard of a great Scottish innovation that didn't involve alcohol?

I know about Nazis, but not that much. I don't know shit about Scottish.

 

[Recidiva]

I know about Nazis, but not that much. I don't know shit about Scottish.

Well, the point really is that many white Americans that are decent people don't have an issue with why you just might want to be called "An American" and would do so without argument.

I'm not better than you, I don't have more pride in being a _____-American than I have in just being an American.

 

[smoothg103rd]

Actually, the different labels you are talking about IS a race issue -- but not in a negative way. Government and other bureaucratic officialdom use these labels when they deem it necessary to analyze population densities and other demographic statistics by race.

The label for whites and most Europeans is Caucasian.

The labels seem to change over time, often in response to criticisms not unlike those you are suggesting. African American, for example, is a fairly recent designation. For most of my life, the racial designation for someone of African descent on official forms was either "Black" or "Negro."

The sad history of our country is that racial stereotypes -- and certainly not just toward African Americans -- have too frequently been negative. Thus, just the verbal or written communication of the label may spark an unpleasant memory.

But the reference to one's race does not have to be negative at all. It is merely a very general reference to one's approximate geographical heritage. Very general.

Not all dark skinned people are from Africa, obviously, and, for that, matter a mere designation of "African American" tells us nothing about what part of Africa a person's descendants were from. Same with Asians. I may be wrong, but I suspect Japanese and Chinese peoples feel more distinct from each other than they do similar. Caucasians? Get a Scottsman and Irishman together over a couple of pints and see which direction the conversation takes!

Which is why your initial point is well taken, Smooth. Leave the labels to the bureaucrats and exclude them from social discourse as much as possible.

For the most part, I think we do that already.

But they label every black African American. Some are from Jamaica, some are Haitian and others.

 

[Lord Pmann]

'Murica.