Why Qualify 'American'?

Here's something that puzzles me... a person that isn't American.  Why when referring to themselves do so many people want to qualify their American nationality with a second one?  African American, Native American, German American... etc.  I see President Obama referred to as an African American (and at least his father was African)... but if you're third, fifth or eighth generation is that heritage still relevant? Is it necessary?  Or indeed accurate?  What would be the problem with simply describing yourself as 'American'?  Wouldn't it generate a certain unity rather than reinforce division?   'One nation under God' and all that?

The equivalent is creeping into British society but it tends to be religious-based.  British Jew or British Muslim, for example.   British Asian sometimes features as a description but you'd never hear anyone refer to themselves as an African Briton or a Native Briton.    

Just strikes me as odd every time I hear it.

Original Post by gi-jane:

Here's something that puzzles me... a person that isn't American.  Why when referring to themselves do so many people want to qualify their American nationality with a second one?  African American, Native American, German American... etc.  I see President Obama referred to as an African American (and at least his father was African)... but if you're third, fifth or eighth generation is that heritage still relevant? Is it necessary?  Or indeed accurate?  What would be the problem with simply describing yourself as 'American'?  Wouldn't it generate a certain unity rather than reinforce division?   'One nation under God' and all that?

The equivalent is creeping into British Society but it tends to be religious-based.  British Jew or British Muslim, for example.   British Asian sometimes features as a description but you'd never hear anyone refer to themselves as a British African or a Native Briton  

Just strikes me as odd every time I hear it.

 

 I've been asking myself that for years.  But I dont' voice the question b/c I don't want to be perceived as "racist"... which I am most definitely NOT. 

And that hyper-sensitivity to racism is what started the whole movement I think.  African-American became the new PC way to describe a "black" person... rather than saying "black" or whatever other terms may have been used in the past absolutely none of which I would repeat.

Note: Do not flame me for this response.  It was the best way I could come with to word it. I am not making a negative comment whatsoever here.

It is odd.  But if you refuse to use the term you're labelled racially insensitive at best and racist at worst. 

I think it's ridiculous and I passive aggressively rebel against the trend whenever possible.

It's a way to signify pride in one's heritage, as well as acknowledge the fact that nearly all Americans' ancestors were immigrants, whether recently or far back in the family tree... the only exception, of course, being Native Americans.

edit - I don't think it's about race so much as heritage/nationality.

I think it is discriminatory against Mutt Americans.

Original Post by puh8suwrux:

I think it is discriminatory against Mutt Americans.

 But I thought they had a term too - "Heinz-57 American"?  :)

FWIW, most of the indians I have met would just as soon be called indians.

Original Post by lysistrata:

FWIW, most of the indians I have met would just as soon be called indians.

 Have noticed this too.

Original Post by purespark:

the only exception, of course, being Native Americans.

Who, in recent years, I've heard called "American Indians" instead. Just a decade or so ago, it was un-PC to say Indian to refer to Apaches, etc., but now it seems more acceptable?

Not to be confused, of course, with Indian-American.

edit: Apparently, I think/type slowly

It's mostly just PCness. Native american makes sense though because if you just call them a Native that doesn't really tell you much, they could be a native of anywhere.

Original Post by amethystgirl:

Original Post by purespark:

the only exception, of course, being Native Americans.

Who, in recent years, I've heard called "American Indians" instead. Just a decade or so ago, it was un-PC to say Indian to refer to Apaches, etc., but now it seems more acceptable?

Not to be confused, of course, with Indian-American.

 

edit: Apparently, I think/type slowly

Just goes to show there's always a risk in categorizing people, and in assuming you see them in the same way that they see themselves.

How come, of all of the countries in North, Central and South America, the USA lays claim to the descriptive "American"? 

Original Post by splitrail:

How come, of all of the countries in North, Central and South America, the USA lays claim to the descriptive "American"? 

If you can think of another way to put it, please let me know.

United Statesmen and women? USAian?

(and because we are special)

Original Post by splitrail:

How come, of all of the countries in North, Central and South America, the USA lays claim to the descriptive "American"? 

Because we annex everything, silly!  All empires that are doomed to fall do this!

Original Post by splitrail:

How come, of all of the countries in North, Central and South America, the USA lays claim to the descriptive "American"? 

I'd say that because our country name is United States of America. Where as all the other north, central and south America countries have specific names that don't include the term America.

Original Post by amethystgirl:

Original Post by splitrail:

How come, of all of the countries in North, Central and South America, the USA lays claim to the descriptive "American"? 

If you can think of another way to put it, please let me know.

United Statesmen and women? USAian?

(and because we are special)

 What would you call a United Statesmen or United Stateswoman if he/she was a hermaphrodite? (sp?) Or had no genetalia? (sp? again)

Original Post by amethystgirl:

Original Post by splitrail:

How come, of all of the countries in North, Central and South America, the USA lays claim to the descriptive "American"? 

If you can think of another way to put it, please let me know.

United Statesmen and women? USAian?

(and because we are special)

Here we call people from the US either Gringo or Yanki seeing as when one refers to an American we include ourselves in the pot.

Original Post by amethystgirl:

Original Post by splitrail:

How come, of all of the countries in North, Central and South America, the USA lays claim to the descriptive "American"? 

If you can think of another way to put it, please let me know.

United Statesmen and women? USAian?

(and because we are special)

If I remember high school spaish correctly, the english translation of what spanish speakers call residents of the USA is 'united statsian'. 

Original Post by bombacho:

Here we call people from the US either Gringo or Yanki seeing as when one refers to an American we include ourselves in the pot.

 Wy do I feel like I sould be offended, haha.

I pretty much agree with everything purespark said on the issue. Not much to add.

Why thank you, JB.  :)

and I happen to prefer the spelling "Yanqui."  I think it's cute.

Original Post by lysistrata:

FWIW, most of the indians I have met would just as soon be called indians.

But Indians are from India. They are natives of America, therefore are Native Americans.

I'm Portuguese American, but I just say I'm Portuguese even though I'm not from Portugal, I leave out the American bit because I live here and it is just assumed. African American is different than an African native.

It doesn't seem weird to me. In England I was told black english people sometimes refer to themselves as Afro-Carribean.