Hyphenated Americans: How do you feel about being called

[criticalmass]

African-American, Asian-American, Mexican-American, etc?

Since I haven't walked in anyone else's shoes, I'm not sure what issues Americans of other races might have about the hyphenated labels applied to them. If you're also of a descent other than white European, how do you prefer to be identified?

I'm just wondering because I'm an American Indian and it really gets on my nerves to be called a Native American, because:

* It's a relatively new label for us and still sounds contrived and strange.

* The word "native" can have some negative connotations, i.e., primitive, uncivilized.

* My most recent immigrant ancestor was from England, and nobody ever tries to call me British-American.

* Anyone born here is a native American, so the label assigned to my ethnic group just happens to describe most of the population of the US.

I have no idea how other Indians feel about this.

So, what do you think of your PC label?

[Abe Linkman]

1. The people with little flags hanging on their mirror...

probably prefer the hyphenated descriptor. You know, all those people that are supposedly assimilated into U.S. society, but display a flag from the old country. I guess to avoid heat from flamers, I should add that those folks ARE assimilated, and are merely proud of their roots.

[donotpassgo]

4. all this assimilation talk pisses me off...

Because it sounds like master race talk. The reason why I am not a Republican is because their ENTIRE social credo is that the ONLY way to be a Real American is to be as close to this



and



as you possibly can. I WOULD never WANT to be A middle class white conservative christian, so acting like one is not an option.

[Another Bill C.]

2. My late wife preferred

being called Hopi. The terms American-Indian or Native-American indicate a homogenous group whereas each tribe was unique group of people.

[LuLu550]

3. I think people

want to link themselves to their ancestral heritage. My family came from Italy and I enjoy the culutral things associated with my childhoold. So for me, being Italian-American is just part of who I am.

[qwaszx]

5. I'm American

Although born in Europe, I prefer just plain old ''American''.

[fearsidhe]

6. as an Irish-American...

looking at all the latest Crap from the right... I am leaning more to the hyphenated label "Pissed off - American"

[CO Liberal]

7. And as a Lithuanian-Irish-Scottish-Alsacian-American.....

I tend to agree with you.

[newyawker99]

18. Hi fearsidhe!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[The Backlash Cometh]

8. The Irish-Americans

seem to be damn proud of it. Why can't we?

[Brewman_Jax]

9. I'd like to be considered an American

Even if I don't look like the "standard" WASP. I've often been asked if I'm from the US. You'd think that the accent would answer that.

I don't like the term "African-American" because:

-Africa is a big place of many cultures, and is not homogenous.

-I don't know the tribe/nation my ancestor(s) came from. Unfortunately, I'll never know.

-I've met those we call "white" who have been in Africa for 3-5 generations. I've never been there.

Lastly, I've met an Indian (Cherokee) who doesn't like the term "Native American." You aren't alone.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

15. I agree with that. Where I work, we have two very white men

both of them born and raised in Africa (one S. Africa, one Rhodesia/Zimbabuae) and several blacks who call themselves "african-american"

I mean really. The nearest to Africa the most well-travelled black man has been is Bermuda. His family has been here since colonial times, same as mine.

The sources of my immigrant ancestors are known to be from Germany, France, Wales, and The Cherokee Nation.

What am I?

American.

everyone else noted above... also American, either by choice or chance.

I believe the labels are media-contrivances to separate us more and more.

[AquariDem]

10. I just prefer Black

I don't mind African-American either, but it just sounds a little unwieldy to me.

[noiretextatique]

19. likewise, but SELF-DEFINITION is the key

if someone prefers indian to native...cool. likewise with any other SELF-DEFINITION. those who reserve the right to define other are laboring under the colonial mindset. notice how the conservatives are always whining about people of color...not "ethnic" whites, like italians?

[criticalmass]

26. Self-Definition = Exactly

That's what I was asking.

Let me restate my question:

We're all Americans, native or naturalized, but if someone specifically asks you about your racial background/cultural heritage/country of origin, etc, how do you generally answer?

[Kamika]

11. rather be korean american then just american

I'm asian-american, mostly I say korean-american, because asia is a pretty big place.

For some reason i rather say 'korean-american' then just 'american', dunno why because i feel 100% american but with a strong knowledge of my ancestry

[dbt]

12. I am living for the day when I and all my fellow

Cracker-Americans can walk in the sunshine!

:evilgrin:
dbt

[criticalmass]

13. Thanks for the input

I'm working on building an American history website and, since our history does happen to include lots and lots of racial and immigration issues, I come across these hyphenated labels all the time and I don't always feel comfortable using them. Especially without having any idea how the people they're applied to feel about them.

[Laughing Mirror]

14. the compounds are all we have at present, just take out the hyphens

Mexican American
African American
Asian American

[Maddy McCall]

21. Here is the rule historians use:

When using the compound term as a noun, use no hyphens: African American.

When using the compound term as an adjective, use a hyphen: African-American family.

Considering your ancestry and your desire to do an American History website, may I suggest a book? Read James Loewen's (sp?)"Lies My Teacher Told Me."

It is a great book that dispells many historical myths, especially in the way historians have treated American Indians. A great book.

Oh, and any book by Ward Churchill is fabulous.

Good luck!

[Piperay]

16. I'm such a mix that it is hard to hyphenate

Norwegian-Irish-English-French-Native American-American :-) Though I am more Norwegian and Irish with a little of all the rest added in. :shrug:

[SiobhanClancy]

17. I'm Irish-American

and I'm perfectly happy to be called so:)

[Padraig18]

25. Me, too

:hi:

[SmileyBoy]

20. In Canada, they're known as "First Nations" or "Aboriginal" peoples.

I sometimes use "Native American", only because I cannot STAND the term "Indian". Indians are people from India, fer chrissakes. People from the Sioux, Cherokee, Pueblo, etc. tribes have not a DAMN thing to do with being from India. If you go by that term, you're only perpetuating a ignorant 511-year trend started by that idiot Columbus.

[criticalmass]

22. Keep your hair on, dear

It's up to me what I call myself. I've been an Indian all my life and it doesn't bother me a bit.

"Aboriginal" bothers me even worse than "native," BTW. The mental image I get from that word is like a step above Neanderthal.

First Nations sounds pretty good, though. I think I'll start calling myself a First American.

:P

Thanks for the input, everyone. Here's an example of what I'm working on, if you're wondering. I'm moving the Dystopian History posts to a website of their very own.

[scarlet_owl]

23. I'm a Mexican-American married to a Native American,

but we just go by Ember and Jim.

[Chovexani]

24. I fucking hate "African American"

Seriously. I dunno why, it just gets on my damn nerves. Wanda Sykes had a funny bit about it in one of her standup routines.

I'm black, thanks.

On edit: Besides, like most Americans, I'm such a mutt that it's not even accurate. And who wants to say "African-Romanichal-Welsh-American"? I think it's silly.