Something to discuss - maybe

[..]

I strongly believe that one of the most common and divisive phrases in the U.S.A is the use of a supposed country of origin followed by the word American

Irish-American
Polish-American
Italian-American
African-American
Hispanic-American

etc etc etc

When asked who I am I reply American (sworn in as a citizen on April 12, 2004) then I will reply English if asked Aabout my accent. It'a also fun to confuse people by telling them I was born in Singapore. I also occasioanlly lie and tell some that I'm from a small island to the SW of Mobile Bay, a descendant of the last slave ship captain. It raises an eyebrow or two and I know that some have swallowed the staement hook line and sinker.

I strongly believe that if we were American FIRST and then associated ourselves with our supposed country of origin this nation would become a much more cohesive unit and better able to compete in the modern global community.

Imagine in 50 or 100 years time that everyone simply states that they are American!!!

[Daniel Meyer]

But...but....I'm a  Texan-American...

[..]

In a crowd there's always one.

Sorry, until Texas secedes you're American-Texan.

[ChromeDome]

Works for me ... I am an American first and of Irish & Alasceian(sp?) descent.

[Jack]

That reminds me of a lady owner of a chinese restaurant in New Orleans.  She came here from Hong Kong, raised her family here.  Her teenaged daughter came home one day and told her, "Mom, we are NOT Chinese-Americans.  We are Asian-Americans."  Her mom responded with, "You no Asian-American!  You banana!  Yellow on outside, white inside!"

I about fell off my chair!  

[Mikey]

I'm Midwestern-American ... German-American... and depending on which day I asked my late grandmother... I was Native-American, Irish-American, French-American, or English-American...

[Normandog]

American by birth, Southern by the grace of God. 
I agree with you 100% Paul. I get tired of the blank American chit.

[Chrisj CMA]

I agree wholeheartedly with Britman here.....A big problem I see is that many that are in these minority groups in America are too used to getting their a$$es kissed now....its often times powerful to say "I am Asian American"  or "African American" (or any other American) they get benifits and advantages and power, yes power because for us to say what we are saying right now is easily and usually turned against us as being racist.....hate speech.

Anyone that cant or wont proclaim themselves as just an American regardless of origin, skin color, accent, custom or religion doesnt really understand what American freedom is all about.

[Robert]

I know this has been posted before but it echoes my thoughts and I'm sure quite a few more including yours I believeThe Second American Revolution

[Chrisj CMA]

I wrote down that number.........I like that guy!

[Bladedog]

  100% purebred American mutt.

[JerryB]

American-Appalachian-Hillbilly here..........JerryB.

[bsnicely]

Agree 100% Paul,  it is too hard to say:  West Virginian/Appalachian/Scottish-American,  just call me a Hillbilly   

[Serk]

Definitely agree, such terms are just used to divide and segregate us...

While I was in South Africa training the people that got my job (And good riddance to it, got a better one, but that's another story) saw some good proof of how silly this is...

It's quite common for white South Africans, who've been born and bred MANY generations in Africa to come to the US. When filling out forms, they'd put themselves down as African American... Now, having been born and bred in Africa, I think they have as much right to that title as anyone.

There were stories of people who'd been kicked out of college and lost jobs for putting themselves down as African American just because... They were born in Africa and were now Americans...

Just silly... We're Americans... Period...

(Except for me, of course... I'm Texan first... Always first...)

[Oss]

agree with you britman, nice post

as a young  boy I  once asked my grandmother that very question and she told me I was an American  Heinz

as in 57 varieties and to punch whoever says otherwise in the nose (she didnt take chit)

and if one were to go back far enough I probably have some of everything in my veins

but I answer American from the Bronx or if I am pressed I am a country attorney from the Bronx
(which gets its name from Mr Bronz who was the farmer who owned all this place 350 yrs ago)

[Dragonryder2]

If you haven't gone down and looked at the video you should.  It is marvelous, Dahlink

[MrStankie]

Hey y'all,

I live in Alabama and I'm a Confederate-American.  And proud of it.

Donald

[Charlie]

I agree wholeheartedly with Britman here

Anyone that cant or wont proclaim themselves as just an American regardless of origin, skin color, accent, custom or religion doesnt really understand what American freedom is all about.

Dead on the point!!!  I agree.

[X Ring]

I also occasioanlly lie and tell some that I'm from a small island to the SW of Mobile Bay, a descendant of the last slave ship captain.

Sounds suspiciously like Dauphin Island, Alabama

Marty

[Challenger]

I am an American !!!!! anything before or after the word American doesn't mean s#!! I've always wondered why people bust their ass to get to America then live in their own little world (china town, little viet nam, little italy) and don't think they have to abide by our laws. cities not capitalized on purpoes. Sorry I rambled didn't I?

[Big Rig]

+1

Valkyrie-American here... just sayin....

Flag Flyin American!!! 

[Pete]

***** WARNING THIS IS NOT POLITICALLY CORRECT SPEAK. ******

If you are here and a citizen - you are an AMERICAN.
If you cannot be proud of that -  then perhaps you need to go where you will be proud.
If you have to qualify it - then perhaps you need to go where you will not need a qualifier.
If being an American embarrasses you - then please feel free take your embarrassment elsewhere.

In any case someone is standing in line to take your place and you will not be missed.

America is not perfect, but it is the best in this world, and we are working to make it better.

Love it(with all it faults)  or leave it has real meaning and merit. Take it to heart.

So goodbye and good luck, we AMERICANs have work to do and everyone else really needs to be making travel arrangements.

No slurs, insults or negative thoughts intended - just the straight thoughts of an AMERICAN.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

I couldn't agree with you more Britman. I think it's interesting that you realize and point out what many who grew up here fail to even see. Namely that our media, our educational system and even our government seem to be trying to break American citizens up into ever smaller groups. Much as the "gun controllers" try to break firearms owners into small groups which won't support each other.

As for me, although I try to convince new acquaintances that I'm a former "Amish Porn Star", I'm actually just another American "flatland hill-jack" and proud of it.

[Highbinder]

All of this sounds well and good....but if you know your history, during WW2 Japanese Americans were put in concentration camps because they were not born here, yet they were citizens...the reason being that their loyalities may remain with their homeland.....this is why you can not run for the Highest office of the land unless you are natural born....so all your points may be good and right but being a natural born citizen still has its advantages..

[Normandog]

All of this sounds well and good....but if you know your history, during WW2 Japanese Americans were put in concentration camps because they were not born here, yet they were citizens...the reason being that their loyalities may remain with their homeland.....this is why you can not run for the Highest office of the land unless you are natural born....so all your points may be good and right but being a natural born citizen still has its advantages..

I know my history Don. I believe Paul is referring to those who for example say they are African American when their great, great grandparents were born in the USA. And so were they. 

[Highbinder]

You may be right Ronnie....althought I believe what he was saying is that they should be stating they are American...Irish or whatever second....my only point was that natural born citizens are looked at  differently....and I'm glad to hear you know your history ... I wasn't saying know one new there history it was just a figure of speech.

[Momz]

I am a German-American.

OK, both of my parents came from what is now Croatia.
It was Austria-Hungary when they were born there.
The borders had changed many times due to WW1, WW2, and the formation of the former Yugoslavia after WW2.

My parents came to the US during the late forties and early fifties.
The became American citizens ASAP. They took english language, US history, and citizenship courses so they could assimilate into this country and our culture.

They both wanted my brother and I to be proud American citizens. We were told to get involved in local politics, and always question authority. We were raised in the Catholic church and allowed to make choices (some good,...some bad). We were taught about our heritage, and why we should be proud to be Americans.

Yes, I am an American citizen of German heritage. Being of foreign born parents I was taught to appreciate what it means to be free. That appreciation makes me proud to say that I am the product of proud people that truely wanted to be US citizens.

[asfltdncr]

The different designations are derived from virtually any form, application, status form of any sort.
They ask you what nationality you are-black, asian. 
I went to "cultural diversity" classes every year to learn the differences in nationality and the point was so everyone would understand one another and work as equals.
Then.....policy would dictate a different treatment of the various nationalities and continue to divide and label.  I don't believe I have ever heard a friend or co-worker referring to themselves as this-American or a that-American.

[R J]

Agree 100% Paul,  it is too hard to say:  West Virginian/Appalachian/Scottish-American,  just call me a Hillbilly   

Call me any damn thing you want, just don't call me too late for dinner.

Thank you.     I'm like Brian, in my retired from profession, I was called every name in the book.     Either to my face or behind my back after they drove away.

[Rowdy]

 
Ohio-American with Welsh/Italian roots   

[R J]

***** WARNING THIS IS NOT POLITICALLY CORRECT SPEAK. ******

If you are here and a citizen - you are an AMERICAN.
If you cannot be proud of that -  then perhaps you need to go where you will be proud.
If you have to qualify it - then perhaps you need to go where you will not need a qualifier.
If being an American embarrasses you - then please feel free take your embarrassment elsewhere.

In any case someone is standing in line to take your place and you will not be missed.

America is not perfect, but it is the best in this world, and we are working to make it better.

Love it(with all it faults)  or leave it has real meaning and merit. Take it to heart.

So goodbye and good luck, we AMERICANs have work to do and everyone else really needs to be making travel arrangements.

No slurs, insults or negative thoughts intended - just the straight thoughts of an AMERICAN.

Pete, ya missed one.
It was my favorite during WWII
Put your heart in America or get your A$$ out.

These were printed on metal tabs for mounting on the license plate, before bumper stickers.

I still believe in it whole heartedly, but I also like, don't let the door hit ya in the A$$ as you are leaving.

[R J]

All of this sounds well and good....but if you know your history, during WW2 Japanese Americans were put in concentration camps because they were not born here, yet they were citizens...the reason being that their loyalities may remain with their homeland.....this is why you can not run for the Highest office of the land unless you are natural born....so all your points may be good and right but being a natural born citizen still has its advantages..

Don, need a correction,   You are correct, they were put in concnetration camps, but, it made no difference if born here or not, they all were imprisioned.    I had a buddy in the Marine Corps with me, who parents were Japanese, and he was born in the US.   

[Pete]

Yes sir RJ, we are in agreement.

Thanks Pete.

[stormrider]

I agree with Paul about the use of Afircan-American and so on. My ancestry goes back over 200 years on these shores with Scottish, Irish and German ancestors. That'd be tough to write out on the application form.

For the record though, I'm an un-reconstructed Southron.

[Skinhead]

***** WARNING THIS IS NOT POLITICALLY CORRECT SPEAK. ******

If you are here and a citizen - you are an AMERICAN.
If you cannot be proud of that -  then perhaps you need to go where you will be proud.
If you have to qualify it - then perhaps you need to go where you will not need a qualifier.
If being an American embarrasses you - then please feel free take your embarrassment elsewhere.

In any case someone is standing in line to take your place and you will not be missed.

America is not perfect, but it is the best in this world, and we are working to make it better.

Love it(with all it faults)  or leave it has real meaning and merit. Take it to heart.

So goodbye and good luck, we AMERICANs have work to do and everyone else really needs to be making travel arrangements.

No slurs, insults or negative thoughts intended - just the straight thoughts of an AMERICAN.

+ infinity

[Tropic traveler]

I am Floridian-American. A native born minority in my own state!