XX American

[Yax]

I had an earlier post where I asked about the South. Had some good responses, but something came up that prompted me to start this thread. Why is it that when you're of Asian descent and are an American Citizen, you're labeled Asian American, and if you're black, you're African American, or Mexican Americans for those with Mexican blood, but if you're white, you're considered a true American?

Some people will say they don't like that type of labeling, but its present everywhere. Even the colleges have "Asian American studies", "African American Studies", etc. They don't have a White American studies, its called World history instead.

The majority of the white population has not yet realized that we are all Americans. Although America was a place first colonized by whites (after kicking some "Native American" butt), its now become much more than that. So when will the majority of people here figure that out?

One last thing, they don't call each other European Americans either. (No offense please, this is not an anti white thing, just trying to figure out why I'm not a true American yet).

 

[AvesPKS]

I think it's because we choose not to label ourselves...I am not an European-American. On the contrary, I am an American.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Some groups choose to label themselves. Many blacks, for instance, insist on being called African Americans, etc. They're so bent on not being segregated from other races and yet they go so far as to segregate themselves from all other races on their own.

Um... nevermind. Don't wanna open up that can of worms. Besides, I don't think that's what this thread was initially about.

 

[vi edit]

Really? I always thought that it was blacks that pushed the labels onto themselves...not the whites.

 

[MailBoxHead]

Yea, I don't go around saying I'm Italian-American

 

[Jmman]

You know, why don't you ask some of these people? Imho, it isn't the white people doing the labeling, but the African Americans, et al who are the ones pushing for these labels. It almost seems like they don't want to give up their heritage or something. Personally, I am content to be an American without the extra title. I guess some people aren't......

 

[Hoober]

And I'm not Irish-German-American

 

[Winchester]

We are labled Anglo-Saxons.

Another reason is that there is no way of telling (mostly) where we come from other than our surname. There is such a mix of blood etc that you cant tell.

If your black, then obviously you are from (ancestors) the African continent, if Asian, then Asian countries, etc.

 

[atom]

I say I'm Asian American cuz it sounds better than saying I'm "Yellow".

 

[Feldenak]

Originally posted by: AvesPKS
I think it's because we choose not to label ourselves...I am not an European-American. On the contrary, I am an American.

Personally I can't stand hyphenated American titles. If you are so opposed to being called an Asian American, stand up for yourself.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Originally posted by: atom
I say I'm Asian American cuz it sounds better than saying I'm "Yellow".

As opposed to being "American"?

 

[Jmman]

I think it also comes down to having pride in your heritage. I hear all the time about "Asian Pride" or "Black pride". I guess "half Italian, 1/4 Irish, little bit of French" pride doesn't have as nice a ring to it.....

 

[HappyPuppy]

Whites aren't allowed to be hyphenated.

Other races are allowed to have black, hispanic, asian student unions, for example, but when is the last time you saw a white student union on a college campus?

Major universities have black studies programs, hispanic studies programs, etc., but can you find a white studies program?

A "black is beautiful" rally on a college campus would be praised by administrators, but a "white is beautiful" rallly would be cause for the goon squads to be called out.

To take it one step further, everyone knows about "The National Organization of Women", but where is "The National Organization of Men?" The NOW crowd would be out in force to protest them.

To sum it up, I am white, male and American. I feel no need to hyphenate myself unless it's as a "redneck-American".

 

[atom]

Originally posted by: ffmcobalt

Originally posted by: atom
I say I'm Asian American cuz it sounds better than saying I'm "Yellow".

As opposed to being "American"?

Well in the general sense I call myself American. But when people say it in terms of white, black, etc. I'd rather be called Asian American than "Yellow".

 

[zCypher]

I agree. Some people hold on to their heritage WAY too much. It's silly. If you were born in America, you're an American. I was born in Canada, I am a Canadian. There is no more to it. I knew someone that was of Czech/slovak heritage, but was Canadian. He always refused to call himself a Canadian, even though he was born in Canada. So stupid. I think even his parents (at least one of them) were born in Canada. It's idiotic to say you're not Canadian if you and your parents were born in Canada. Same with the U.S. or any other country.

Some people take it waaaaaaay too far/seriously

 

[AvesPKS]

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
Whites aren't allowed to be hyphenated.

Other races are allowed to have black, hispanic, asian student unions, for example, but when is the last time you saw a white student union on a college campus?

Major universities have black studies programs, hispanic studies programs, etc., but can you find a white studies program?

A "black is beautiful" rally on a college campus would be praised by administrators, but a "white is beautiful" rallly would be cause for the goon squads to be called out.

To take it one step further, everyone knows about "The National Organization of Women", but where is "The National Organization of Men?" The NOW crowd would be out in force to protest them.

To sum it up, I am white, male and American. I feel no need to hyphenate myself unless it's as a "redneck-American".

I hope I am not escalating an already hot situation...

However, on my campus, one of the fraternities had a "Fro's and 40's" party. NSBE (National Society of Black Engineers) complained about it, saying it was offensive. Our student government organization has a list of other groups that are not allowed to propose to them for money. It was called the black-list. However, NSBE complained (again) and now it's the white-list.

 

[Winchester]

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
Whites aren't allowed to be hyphenated.

Other races are allowed to have black, hispanic, asian student unions, for example, but when is the last time you saw a white student union on a college campus?

Major universities have black studies programs, hispanic studies programs, etc., but can you find a white studies program?

A "black is beautiful" rally on a college campus would be praised by administrators, but a "white is beautiful" rallly would be cause for the goon squads to be called out.

To take it one step further, everyone knows about "The National Organization of Women", but where is "The National Organization of Men?" The NOW crowd would be out in force to protest them.

To sum it up, I am white, male and American. I feel no need to hyphenate myself unless it's as a "redneck-American".

Amen.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Originally posted by: atom

Originally posted by: ffmcobalt

Originally posted by: atom
I say I'm Asian American cuz it sounds better than saying I'm "Yellow".

As opposed to being "American"?

Well in the general sense I call myself American. But when people say it in terms of white, black, etc. I'd rather be called Asian American than "Yellow".

The point is that the only colors used to denote race are black and white. If you're Asian, you're Asian. If you're an American, you're an American. In my mind, it's as simple as that.

 

[HappyPuppy]

Originally posted by: AvesPKS

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
Whites aren't allowed to be hyphenated.

Other races are allowed to have black, hispanic, asian student unions, for example, but when is the last time you saw a white student union on a college campus?

Major universities have black studies programs, hispanic studies programs, etc., but can you find a white studies program?

A "black is beautiful" rally on a college campus would be praised by administrators, but a "white is beautiful" rallly would be cause for the goon squads to be called out.

To take it one step further, everyone knows about "The National Organization of Women", but where is "The National Organization of Men?" The NOW crowd would be out in force to protest them.

To sum it up, I am white, male and American. I feel no need to hyphenate myself unless it's as a "redneck-American".

I hope I am not escalating an already hot situation...

However, on my campus, one of the fraternities had a "Fro's and 40's" party. NSBE (National Society of Black Engineers) complained about it, saying it was offensive. Our student government organization has a list of other groups that are not allowed to propose to them for money. It was called the black-list. However, NSBE complained (again) and now it's the white-list.

You supported my claim and , no, I am not trying to bait anyone. Life isn't equal or fair, but some groups want the rules to be more "fair" for them.

Whatever. Time for a :beer:

 

[vi edit]

I'm part Irish, part Native American.

What's that make me? An alcoholic that can hold my liquor.

 

[AvesPKS]

I love this. Below the posts there are an ad for Black history month, and Asian-American forums...

 

[Yax]

Hmm, so far all very valid points, but still, if you're not white and you go out in pubic, the people still say: African American, Asian American, etc. They don't say there goes a real American. Labeling yourself is one thing, having others put the label on without your consent is another. I'm talking about others putting a label on you when they see you.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Originally posted by: AvesPKS
I love this. Below the posts there are an ad for Black history month, and Asian-American forums...

What? Where?? I don't see anything...

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Originally posted by: cheapbidder01
Hmm, so far all very valid points, but still, if you're not white and you go out in pubic, the people still say: African American, Asian American, etc. They don't say there goes a real American. Labeling yourself is one thing, having others put the label on without your consent is another. I'm talking about others putting a label on you when they see you.

Well, when you have a group of people refer to themselves in a certain way and sue people for referring to their racial group in a manner that offended them (proper or not), you tend to start calling those groups by their respectively requested names.

 

[AvesPKS]

Originally posted by: ffmcobalt

Originally posted by: AvesPKS
I love this. Below the posts there are an ad for Black history month, and Asian-American forums...

What? Where?? I don't see anything...

Hehe...I will definitely say this the first time ads have enhanced my posting experience...a little bit of irony never hurts.