why do people keep putting a pre-curser on american

[SGTBIGDOG420]

I cant seem to understand this either your an american or your not, while it is great to be proud of your haritage why do you feel the need to slam it in peoples face at every oppertunity. its not like we cant tell where your ancesters came from. so I think people need to get off of trying to force others to acknowledge this. just be american and be proud of that alone.

 

[Laurel]

Why? If someone wants to be called Pluto-American, how does that hurt you? How is being reminded of other cultures a "slam in the face"?

 

[p_p_man]

Whew...

The words of wisdom at last.

All precursors do is call attention to a difference. They divide rather than cement.

Thanks SGTBIGDOG420

 

[HarlemBlade]

I don't think it's really an issue of hurting one person or another...It's just an issue of semantics. If you are defining your nationality, you would state your country--i.e. American. To say you are "Pluto-American" is more like a cultural statement...yet they are trying to identify their nationality. I find it a little confusing myself.

 

[HarlemBlade]

All precursors do is call attention to a difference. They divide rather than cement.

::nods earnestly::

Exactly, as long as people keep on trying to focus on their differences from other people, it will be more and more difficult to get along. People need to look at each other and see themselves as fellow human beings instead of constantly trying to put up walls between each other.

 

[Laurel]

Well, by that logic, isn't it divisive to refer to oneself as an American? You're DIVIDING yourself from the rest of the world. Why have an identity? Let's all call ourselves "World Citizens".

Why have a name? Let's call everyone Bob. Names are divisive, because they show us to be distinct individuals.

BTW, people ARE different. People are not all alike. I happen to think that's pretty cool. If you're one of those people who thinks people who aren't like you are wrong and should assimilate to be like you, then I suppose Pluto-American might be offensive.

 

[Weevil]

Well, by that logic, isn't it divisive to refer to oneself as an American? You're DIVIDING yourself from the rest of the world. Why have an identity? Let's all call ourselves "World Citizens".

BTW, people ARE different. People are not all alike. I happen to think that's pretty cool. If you're one of those people who thinks people who aren't like you are wrong and should assimilate to be like you, then I suppose Pluto-American might be offensive.

Also, I don't think there's anything wrong with taking pride in one's ethnicity as well as one's nationality. It seems pretty closeminded to say that I can't openly take pride in my Irishness.

Why not eliminate Man, Woman, Adult, Child, Pretty and Ugly? They just divide also.

 

[Trist]

Whereas I myself have never placed a precursor before calling myself an American, I would have to agree with Laurel on this one. I live smack in the middle of nowhere, where the diversity is limited mostly to Native Americans and the 'Whites'. In no way have I, or anyone that I personally know, been offended or repelled by a precursor; around here, precursors are an object of pride. The only cases I have ever seen a precursor effecting people negatively is with those that are racist and view the fact that someone is proud of their roots as shameful (Example, some think that because someone is a Native American that they will ultimately be a "worthless drunk"). Let's not take someone's pride in their heritage the wrong way.

 

[HarlemBlade]

I agree with Laurel that there's a point it gets ridiculous to not divide people (i.e. names) but I really do think people spend too much time obsessing on how different/better they are. I think it would really be helpful if people could be more empathetic to a "human culture" since most people aren't very good at being understanding of other people's backgrounds.

I always try to be as understanding as possible, but I know a lot of people that just throw their hands up in the air or scoff at someone with a different heritage or background. For those people, I think a more universal culture would be much easier for them to relate to since they would be a part of it as well.

As long as people hate and fear what is different from them, dividing people will cause conflict.

 

[Laurel]

I understand what you're saying. I personally think that the people need to learn to appreciate our differences, not pretend they don't exist.

 

[Trist]

The fact that one does not put a pre-cursor on American would NOT leave them to be immune to people scoffing at their heritage. As stated earlier, it is often plain to sight. The solution, then, would be for people to strive at being more accepting, and not hanging on something as trivial as a pre-cursor.

 

[zantac666]

In some of the jobs i've done i ad a lot of black customers and they were great people one day i asked them what do want be called by. They said americans but if they had to be labeled they wanted to be known by black-americans.

 

[p_p_man]

Over here we have never...

thought or referred to people as Caribbean Black, African Black,Central American Black or West Indian Black. Although we do say Caribbeans, Africans, Central Americans and West Indians if we know where they're originally from. But as a group they're Blacks.

But it's purely used as a means of identification. Not to separate them into cultural or ethnic groups.

The same with the Asians. If we know they're from India or Pakistan we say so, otherwise they're Asians.

I would never dream of calling a Scot a Scottish Brit!

He'd probably give me a Glaswegian handshake!

Likewise I have never heard of a black showing a preference to be called Caribbean British.

It's a muddle but we all seem to know what we're talking about. And most of the time we don't care anyway.

 

[bluespoke]

p_p_man

I suspect you meant a Glasgow Kiss (headbut).

 

[MunchinMark]

Perhaps in P_P's immediate vicinity the Scots are more genteel.

I remember reading that in a previous census, immigrant populations tended to identify themselves more strongly as English than most of those with a Celtic/Anglo-Saxon/Norse heritage, who have a tendancy to call themselves British these days.

The whatever-American thing has in the past struck me as absurd. But mny people are proud of their heritage and point it out. I think that that is all that this phenomenon is.

 

[p_p_man]

p_p_man

I suspect you meant a Glasgow Kiss (headbut).

Yep. That's what I meant.

Don't know why I said handshake...

 

[Merelan]

Hello... I am a Mutt-American, nice to meet you.

And what's wrong with being from Pluto? My best friends are from Pluto.

 

[SINthysist]

But note that it is American-Indian, but not American-African, or American-Hispanic, and all the other variations.

Then is because too many have the attitude that I am of an African or Hispanic descent living in America as verses I am an American incidentally of African or Hispanic descent.





"Why? If someone wants to be called Pluto-American, how does that hurt you? How is being reminded of other cultures a "slam in the face"?"


Because it is not being used as a reminder, but as a stick to beat up on the majority classes. It is an excuse not to join into the melting pot. It is an invitation to remain separate, demand separate sensitivities, etc. It used to be as an American, you needed to know about the constitution, the Declaration of Independence, etc. Now you have to know the specific way to talk to and treat an African American, A hispanic American, a muslim American, a hindu American, and American Indian, a left-handed Lithuanian American and thier traditions and ways are superior to yours no matter what third-world hell-hole they crawled out of.

 

[Topher]

But note that it is American-Indian, but not American-African, or American-Hispanic, and all the other variations.

No, no, no. "American-Indian" is the old, non-pc, and inaccurate way of saying "Not South Asian Indian".

I know you know "Native American". You're 1/2 Native American aren't you? It might not be the terminology you use, but it is the most PC term for the "group" (no, there's not 100's of tribes) and it fits the blank-American pattern.

 

[kotori]

Isn't it funny . . .

that many of the same people who talk about 'melting pot' also speak against racial 'miscegenation.'

Melting pot is over, more like mosaic. When my ancestors came from the old country, they were too afraid of the 'majority population' to maintain their unique traditions, language and culture. All that's left now is a characature.

We all bring to America everything that we are. It's not good to gloss over our diversity, it's good to celebrate it. Thankfully, soon the old majority will be in the minority.

 

[Topher]

I agree about the mosaic. I do, however, think it would be good to be able to rely on a more-or-less standard center. This is coming from a bleeding-heart liberal, but I don't think I should have to know Ebonics in order to order a Whopper.
Ok, I know that sounded awful, but it's the truth. I mean, I don't understand, and then I feel guilty about it like I'm not "down" enough. Bah! Oh, and I can despise Rap too and not feel guilty.
It's fine to have the mosaic thing going, but if everyone HAS to be conversant in everyone else's culture then do we have a mosaic at all? We should have a mini-culture in the middle of the mosaic wherein we can talk to each other and understand each other.

P.S. The conservatively-biased media blew the Ebonics thing out of proportion. As I understand it, it was a plan to make teachers knowledgeable enough about Black English to be able to teach standand English.

 

[p_p_man]

Your inner confusion will soon be over.

When America is swallowed by the new European giant you'll all be calling yourselves American-Europeans.

Much simpler when everyone has the same pre-cursor!

 

[Thomas Paine]

First of all, it's "prefix," not "precursor." And yes, I am cranky this morning. Thanks for asking.

The reason that the "hyphenated-American" labels persist is that they remain necessary as long as we treat different groups of Americans differently based on some racial/ethnic/religious basis. When we start treating everyone as just an "American," the hyphens will have outlived their usefulness.

 

[alltherage]

First of all, it's "prefix," not "precursor." And yes, I am cranky this morning. Thanks for asking.

The reason that the "hyphenated-American" labels persist is that they remain necessary as long as we treat different groups of Americans differently based on some racial/ethnic/religious basis. When we start treating everyone as just an "American," the hyphens will have outlived their usefulness.

Technically speaking, it would seem that the term American could be applied to anyone living in north or south america. I think identification with you heritage is important and therefore I am proud to say I am Irish-American. I see no problem with this. The problems that do exist are the product of bigoted minds. Unfortunately these minds will always exist. There was a time not so very long ago when being Irish in this country subjected you to bigoted and violent treatment by the "real americans." Every wave of immigrants to this country suffered from the resentments and anger of those who came before. I think it is important to acknowledge that I am Irish for the sake of my family who suffered from that predjudice. I am proud to be both.

One other point should be made. The term American changes its definition constantly. It means something wholely different to be an American in the 21st century than it did in the 19th century. Women vote now, slaves are free, we are no longer a farm based economy, politics and even the constitution has changed. I think a deeper identification with our ethnicity is necessary for the sake of sanity. Knowing my roots brings me some peace in this chaotic world. Oh well, just a thought.

 

[Topher]

We are American

"African-" is irrelevant.

Your musical and rhythmic distinctiveness will be added to our own.

You will be assimilated.