OT European Americans

[Chris Craig]

No one calls me a Dog American.

I believe its Canine American

 

[Chris Craig]

I'm largely Irish American and even though we weren't considered upper class immigrants at the time, I know of no Irish American who is offended by being called that

Ditto

 

[stampedehero]

Aren't you a GERMAN Shepherd?

German Shepard incognito. The sunglasses make the dog.

 

[andalusian]

Aren't you a GERMAN Shepherd?

No. He is Dogfishing you.

 

[Chris Craig]

Why don't we call white people this?

Why separate me from my country of birth by referring to me as African first?

Good point/question. It was originally used after the civil to differentiate black and white authors. A term to identify blacks as lesser than whites. It became an alternate to black after the 60s.

I have always thought black and white were strange terms as your skin isn't black and mine isn't really white.

 

[RR7]

Steve Nash was born in South Africa, and then moved to Canada. So technically, he's an African American. I wonder if he filled out his college applications as such...

 

[Chris Craig]

Steve Nash was born in South Africa, and then moved to Canada. So technically, he's an African American. I wonder if he filled out his college applications as such...

Wouldn't that mean he isn't an American?

 

[riverman]

It was used as a slur against people who weren't "Real" Americans

I think this is a bit off base....the slurs were there but Native American is used without slur...redskin....savage...etc..those are slurs to me. Mick, Spic, Kike, N....etc....all slurs against ethnic identity....I don't associate negativity to the use of adjectives at all in this case....in every country I've visited they use these adjectives to reference ethnic cultures...in Taiwan for example there are 18 aboriginal tribes and dozens of communities of Haka, Fuxing, Mandarins, etc....it's not unusual to reference someone as Taiwanese Amei or Paiwan....all 18 tribes are known in Mandarin as "Original People" roughly translated...the slang or slur would be to call them all "Mountain People" or Shan di ren…..that's considered uncool in their society but is used by uneducated Taiwanese pretty often..

 

[RR7]

Wouldn't that mean he isn't an American?

Canada is in North American, so technically he is.

 

[riverman]

I love Josh Blues comedy...as a handicapped man he puts everything in perspective..and he's hilarious...Check him out sometime..his Netflix special was great

 

[julius]

I think this is a bit off base....the slurs were there but Native American is used without slur...redskin....savage...etc..those are slurs to me.

because they're not the same (and let's not act like people historically did not and in some cases, still do not think of them as "Americans").

Mick, Spic, Kike, N....etc....all slurs against ethnic identity....I don't associate negativity to the use of adjectives at all in this case....

That's because it's 2018. You have to understand the concept of coded language. I'm not talking about how African-Americans (at one time) embraced the idea of being called "African-American". That is a whole other kettle of fish of historical significance and overcoming societal bias's, etc.

in every country I've visited they use these adjectives to reference ethnic cultures...in Taiwan for example there are 18 aboriginal tribes and dozens of communities of Haka, Fuxing, Mandarins, etc....it's not unusual to reference someone as Taiwanese Amei or Paiwan....all 18 tribes are known in Mandarin as "Original People" roughly translated...the slang or slur would be to call them all "Mountain People" or Shan di ren…..that's considered uncool in their society but is used by uneducated Taiwanese pretty often..

I think we'll agree that not all people who come to the US were treated equally. Some of it is that there are old enemies and some of it was as stupid as Catholics vs Protestants. Also some of it was the lack of speaking English. Irish were treated poorly here, as were Italians, Germans, Chinese, Japanese, Polish, etc. So calling them "something-Americans" at one time was a slur, or at least a way of identifying them as non real Americans. I'm not sure how that is something that anyone can deny.

And now that, mostly, white Europeans don't have to really label themselves as something-Americans anymore. They've assimilated/become accepted. It's why those groups, to answer the OP's comment, tend to not be given the hyphenated nomenclature vs other non white groups do. Or if they are given that label, it's usually a 1s or 2nd generation label that is dropped.

Yeah, I've referred to myself as a German-American, but only in the sense that part of my family originates from Germany (a long ass time ago) and not because I have ever referred to myself as a "German-American" instead of saying I'm an "American".

 

[riverman]

I think we'll agree that not all people who come to the US were treated equally.

sure...also there were derogatory terms for Torey or Loyalist British colonists back in history...people called crazy King George all sorts of names. It really depends upon where you observe from in history but I'm not arguing about racism or classism...I'm pointing out that cultural adjectives are only a bad thing if people use them that way...they are not on their own derogatory. ..at least in my understanding of the language

 

[Lanny]

I call you dviss myself....and in fairness, people are called Irish Americans, Italian americans, Jewish americans, Native Americans, Asian Americans etc....and I don't believe European americans started the African American tag but all ethnic American backgrounds have tags...it's not just African americans...George Carlin did a bit about this topic that's pretty interesting. Sort of like Canada has French Canadians eh?
That being said in the end we should just call each other americans in my view with the occasional reference to assholes thrown in..

My wife doesn't mind being called an Asian-American although I call her "Hey, You". She replies, "I'm right here, now whadda ya want?" Good Lord, no way in hell, I refer to her as honey bunches. I know which side my bread is buttered on.

 

[Lanny]

sure...also there were derogatory terms for Torey or Loyalist British colonists back in history...people called crazy King George all sorts of names. It really depends upon where you observe from in history but I'm not arguing about racism or classism...I'm pointing out that cultural adjectives are only a bad thing if people use them that way...they are not on their own derogatory. ..at least in my understanding of the language

Although I agree with you, I believe in calling someone whatever they want to be called. For example, I refer to my wife as "Your Highness", and she gives me delicious snacks.

 

[riverman]

That's the "ownership" aspect I was talking about. I'm talking about the original use of the phrasing. It was used as a slur against people who weren't "Real" Americans (i.e., foreign born or the incorrect European heritage or whoever is whoevers enemy at the time). As in, they don't really represent what it means to be an American. It created a division and started the growth of the "other" among us. And any time those people said they wanted to just be Americans, they were then ask "why are you such and such American than!?"

Well, they weren't the ones who created the label... But anyways, it wasn't until groups that were "hyphenated" Americans had became accepted as part of the whole, that the hyphenated Americans started to use the term as a sense of pride. And now that we've, for the most part, grown past the labeling of sub groups as not being considered Americans, and the -American name taxonomy doesn't bear the insult it used to, although there are still groups that fall into the grouping of not being "Real" Americans (currently, "Muslim-American" is probably used as much as an identifier that the person is not a "Real" American).

I know that Maris will just point out that me pointing out historical facts proves I'm racist or some other nonsense, but actually understanding history plays a role in why things happened or will happen.

So how does an adjective using a continent differ from and adjective using a country or even a religion or organization? I'm more offended by the term "real American" than "Irish American" and to me "Real American" has superiority complex written all over it.

 

[riverman]

Although I agree with you, I believe in calling someone whatever they want to be called. For example, I refer to my wife as "Your Highness", and she gives me delicious snacks.

There was a freshman medical student in my English class in the medical college I taught at in Taiwan who on the first day of class wanted to choose an English name...the teacher traditionally does this in Taiwan. I asked him what he'd like to be called....he said he wanted the name "Cute" so when people asked his name he'd answer "I'm Cute"......I immediately gave him the name " Butch" and told him he didn't want to go to graduate school in Ohio with the name "Cute"

 

[Hoopguru]

Have you ever seen this? I've quoted it often in the forum.

It is Smokey....

Love Smokey Robinson and that was terrific!

 

[riverman]

No one calls me a Dog American to my face.

fixed

 

[riverman]

I like what Smokey has to say about the topic....if you go back far enough we're all walkin' around with African roots and Genghis Khan roots. Maybe instead of colors or continents we should use conferences or divisions like basketball does...northern, northwestern, southern, southeastern..etc

 

[stampedehero]

I think this is a bit off base....the slurs were there but Native American is used without slur...redskin....savage...etc..those are slurs to me. Mick, Spic, Kike, N....etc....all slurs against ethnic identity....I don't associate negativity to the use of adjectives at all in this case....in every country I've visited they use these adjectives to reference ethnic cultures...in Taiwan for example there are 18 aboriginal tribes and dozens of communities of Haka, Fuxing, Mandarins, etc....it's not unusual to reference someone as Taiwanese Amei or Paiwan....all 18 tribes are known in Mandarin as "Original People" roughly translated...the slang or slur would be to call them all "Mountain People" or Shan di ren…..that's considered uncool in their society but is used by uneducated Taiwanese pretty often..

Outstanding....A message with common sense and educational value.
> Why are Poles are called polacs? Why are they singled out for jokes when the Rumanians and Bulgarians need a few.
I don't worry about skin color, SMH themes and poster tirades in here. Many people in here post views that are refreshing and that's why you enjoy participating in S2.
No doubt,@riverman channels that positive energy.

+>My Brother is a water colorist and his pictures reflect positive energy>

 

[Stevenson]

Why don't we call white people this?

Why separate me from my country of birth by referring to me as African first?

You do know that it was Reverend Jesse Jackson who started this movement, right?

 

[THE HCP]

https://view.yahoo.com/show/saturday-night-live/clip/40031716/charlize-theron-monologue

 

[Natebishop3]

One of the most famous parts of the I Have a Dream speech was, "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." I really wish that was the case. I wish that skin color was not a factor at all for anyone. I hope for a day when we do not consider skin color in any way shape or form.

 

[Lanny]

Outstanding....A message with common sense and educational value.
> Why are Poles are called polacs? Why are they singled out for jokes when the Rumanians and Bulgarians need a few.
I don't worry about skin color, SMH themes and poster tirades in here. Many people in here post views that are refreshing and that's why you enjoy participating in S2.
No doubt,@riverman channels that positive energy.

+>My Brother is a water colorist and his pictures reflect positive energy> View attachment 23835

My great uncle was a water color artist who's works hang in an art museum somewhere back East. As a kid, grandma used to hang his pictures on her walls here and there. When grandma died they went back to the museum and I've never seen them again which has been about 50 years. Wish I knew where they went. I'm thinking it was either Philadelphia or Vermont.

 

[CupWizier]

Proud is used as a code word for poor or low breeding.

He’s got nothing but pride.
Proud immigrant, proud servicemen, proud workers.

Never hear proud hedge fund manager, proud billionaire, proud CEO.

Really???

So when i say i am a proud dad you think i am poor or low breeding dad? That is so sadly wrong.

 

[julius]

So how does an adjective using a continent differ from and adjective using a country or even a religion or organization? I'm more offended by the term "real American" than "Irish American" and to me "Real American" has superiority complex written all over it.

I was using the "real" American in a historical sense and tbh, mocking the mindset of labeling someone as a "real" anything. It screams smugness and as one of my college professors once said, "flat brain" thinking.

 

[Lanny]

I was using the "real" American in a historical sense and tbh, mocking the mindset of labeling someone as a "real" anything. It screams smugness and as one of my college professors once said, "flat brain" thinking.

I thought flat brain thinking meant you were thinking really smart. I've been called flat brained thinking many times, so it has to mean something really good.

 

[Lanny]

Really???

So when i say i am a proud dad you think i am poor or low breeding dad? That is so sadly wrong.

Proud is used as a code word for poor or low breeding.

He’s got nothing but pride.
Proud immigrant, proud servicemen, proud workers.

Never hear proud hedge fund manager, proud billionaire, proud CEO.

So, Proud Boys are low class?

 

[riverman]

I thought flat brain thinking meant you were thinking really smart. I've been called flat brained thinking many times, so it has to mean something really good.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Really???

So when i say i am a proud dad you think i am poor or low breeding dad? That is so sadly wrong.

As a proud dad, your pride is in someone else, not yourself. That's a bit different than what Maris (fallaciously) describes.