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#30 by MikeM on 10 Oct, 2011 20:41
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When "African-American" emerged, true, it was patterned after Italian-American, Irish-American, and the like. This was undoubtedly intentional. The point I believe that has been lost is that those self-identifying as African-American use "Africa" (a geographic category) because they are unable to point to a more specific ethnicity, due to the entire slavery experience (I'm not being flippant).
Now that it's largely become synonymous with Black, yes, there are all sorts of inaccuracies and baffling scenarios, as have been mentioned. -
#31 by Slynito on 10 Oct, 2011 20:48
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In American English, these are ethnicities, not races.
Perhaps, but America is just one country out of many, and just about everywhere else, they're races, as defined by their DNA. America is also a country that uses the term African American, which is also totally inaccurate in the overwhelming number of cases.
There are around 40 American countries. Most speak Spanish and then English, Portuguese, Dutch, German, French. Most were originally slave colonies so therefore you'll find people of African decent in all American countries, not only the US. -
#32 by Razor X on 10 Oct, 2011 20:56
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In American English, these are ethnicities, not races.
Perhaps, but America is just one country out of many, and just about everywhere else, they're races, as defined by their DNA. America is also a country that uses the term African American, which is also totally inaccurate in the overwhelming number of cases.
There are around 40 American countries. Most speak Spanish and then English, Portuguese, Dutch, German, French. Most were originally slave colonies so therefore you'll find people of African decent in all American countries, not only the US.
So what's that got to do with the price of potatoes?
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#33 by Chavster on 10 Oct, 2011 20:58
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So what's that got to do with the price of potatoes?
I wondered too
I think maybe what he's saying is that to a US citizen, the term 'American' tends to apply only to the US, whereas in reality, 'American' applies to the two pieces of land stretching from Alaska to Argentina
But maybe he doesnt mean that at all
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#34 by Slynito on 10 Oct, 2011 21:00
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Hiya, Jerzy Boy...just enlightening you about how thing are. I'm glad that you appreciate it.
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#35 by Razor X on 10 Oct, 2011 21:03
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Hiya, Jerzy Boy...just enlightening you about how thing are. I'm glad that you appreciate it.
What does the fact that there are people of African descent in the third world banana republics have to do with the current discussion? -
#36 by tomgallagher on 11 Oct, 2011 07:11
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So what's that got to do with the price of potatoes?
I wondered too
I think maybe what he's saying is that to a US citizen, the term 'American' tends to apply only to the US, whereas in reality, 'American' applies to the two pieces of land stretching from Alaska to Argentina
But maybe he doesnt mean that at all
I've often wondered that myself. Why, all over the world we are referred to as Americans when in fact, the term could be used for everyone of us in North, Central and South America. We are not the only Americans. Very confusing. -
#37 by Chavster on 12 Oct, 2011 11:29
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Yes but to some Americans (US citizens), there ARE no other people on the planet. To some Americans, going to Hawaii means going overseas, and not just because its a chain of islands. So we all have our dim and stoopid people
When I lived in Nebraska, some people thought it was an 'exciting day out' to drive across the border into Iowa... the girl I shared an apartment with, she thought it was exotic and 'foreign', the way some people would think going to Tahiti is exotic
Anyway, what would people call US citizens other than 'Americans'? United Statesers? USAers?
Although most people around the world do have another name for y'all, and oddly enough, it also begins with the letter A, but its not very complimentary 
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#38 by Chavster on 12 Oct, 2011 11:37
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p.s. going back to the African American thing, I've come to the conclusion (rightly or wrongly) thats its political correctness, pure and simple.
As for Italian American or Irish American (etc), whats wrong with just being American? Most Irish Americans, I'd like to bet, have never even been to Ireland, and the same goes for Italian/German/Icelandic/Somali-Americans.
Its great to be proud of our heritage, but the whole Italian American thing (etc) blows my mind because having an Italian grandma and a liking for baked zito or whatever its called doesnt make someone Italian, or even vaguely Italian. And as far as I know, this is peculiar to the US. I've never heard of anyone describing themselves as (for example) Australian-Belgian, or Brazillian-Taiwanese, or Swedish-Egyptian.
Get over yourselves and be proud of your heritage AND proud to be an American, but dont cloud them with each other
*hugs to all, Im going back to bed* -
#39 by CraftyGuy on 12 Oct, 2011 11:56
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p.s. going back to the African American thing, I've come to the conclusion (rightly or wrongly) thats its political correctness, pure and simple.
As for Italian American or Irish American (etc), whats wrong with just being American? Most Irish Americans, I'd like to bet, have never even been to Ireland, and the same goes for Italian/German/Icelandic/Somali-Americans.
Its great to be proud of our heritage, but the whole Italian American thing (etc) blows my mind because having an Italian grandma and a liking for baked zito or whatever its called doesnt make someone Italian, or even vaguely Italian. And as far as I know, this is peculiar to the US. I've never heard of anyone describing themselves as (for example) Australian-Belgian, or Brazillian-Taiwanese, or Swedish-Egyptian.
Get over yourselves and be proud of your heritage AND proud to be an American, but dont cloud them with each other
*hugs to all, Im going back to bed*
Very well stated, I couldn't agree more!
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#40 by MikeM on 12 Oct, 2011 12:26
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I've never heard of anyone describing themselves as (for example) Australian-Belgian, or Brazillian-Taiwanese, or Swedish-Egyptian.
I've heard "African-Canadian" on CBC. Don't know how common that usage is in the wild.
Wasn't French-Canadian mentioned earlier in this thread?
Swiss-German
Swiss-French
Swiss-Italian
Swedish-Finns
Japanese Peruvians
Baltic Russians
Peranakans
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#41 by tomgallagher on 12 Oct, 2011 12:43
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Yes but to some Americans (US citizens), there ARE no other people on the planet. To some Americans, going to Hawaii means going overseas, and not just because its a chain of islands. So we all have our dim and stoopid people
When I lived in Nebraska, some people thought it was an 'exciting day out' to drive across the border into Iowa... the girl I shared an apartment with, she thought it was exotic and 'foreign', the way some people would think going to Tahiti is exotic
Anyway, what would people call US citizens other than 'Americans'? United Statesers? USAers?
Although most people around the world do have another name for y'all, and oddly enough, it also begins with the letter A, but its not very complimentary
By jove I think he's got a little bit of lime in his Guinness. -
#42 by Mike_412 on 12 Oct, 2011 19:41
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Although most people around the world do have another name for y'all, and oddly enough, it also begins with the letter A, but its not very complimentary
:P
I'll take It takes one to know one for $200 please Alex.