American Identity

[Elvis]

I don't have any connection to Indian culture. Stupid movies. Some good food. Not interested in much else. Totally Americanized.

Not a 'Fuck Yeah' American though at all.

[dejet]

Something along the lines of;
1st gen = where they came from
2nd gen = xx-American
3rd gen = American

My fathers side of the family goes back about 2* gen before the Civil War, hard to say I am from anywhere but the USA. If asked family; its Italy/Irish. I do look at people who have a ipod/smart phone+ hd TV with fios funny when they say they are from Italy.

Ya basing it off what you have is odd, but really the ones who called themselves italian where the ones who followed the traditions. My mothers father was Italian, he use to go out every holiday and see each part of the family.

Sorta how I see it. Then again does it matter? your in America, you are a American.(for the most part)

[SephYuyX]

Its not about rebelling, I just see no rational reason to adhere to any sort of culture. I'm not the type of person to not do something simply because everyone says I should be doing it, I just take the time to think about why I'm supposed to be doing so, and more often than not, decide it makes no sense.

Runon sentences ftw

Well, theres a difference btwn doing something because your past dictates you to, and doing something because your past has influenced you.

Obviously doing something just because your past dicates you isnt a good thing, and I think most people are starting to get away from that. Back in the day it was to follow culture to the T, or you become an outcast, but now a days people are putting logic and thought behind their actions, while using their culture as their base, as to completly remove ones self from a culture is near impossible.

[aznmajiktaru]

Most people who say theyre japanse-american, or the like, do it because people are interested in who they are, like Beckwin said, most americans are more interested in their culture, than trying to discriminate.

Pretty much. Whenever someone asks me what am I(lulz), they're not interested in hearing me say I'm American so I usually just straight up say I'm Chinese. In fact I don't really think anyone cares you're an American since this is a nation of immigrants more so that where you come from. Then again I'm not buying into the whole America fuck yea concept so that's prolly why. Guess this also has to do with where I grew up (miami), since most of us down here really don't give a fuck lol.

[Izzy]

I'm American, and yes people who do that are retards that feel they need to belong to a 'group'.

Ditto. I never hear anyone say "I'm XXXX-American".

[SephYuyX]

Then again does it matter? your in America, you are a American.(for the most part)

True, but you have to remember america was made from other cultures. Celebrating mardi gras is celebrating french past, oktoberfest with germany, st patricks day with ireland, cinco de mayo with mexico, columbus day with italy, etcetc.

To be american is to be a mutt.

[dejet]

True, but you have to remember america was made from other cultures. Celebrating mardi gras is celebrating french past, oktoberfest with germany, st patricks day with ireland, cinco de mayo with mexico, columbus day with italy, etcetc.

To be american is to be a mutt.

not saying to forget your past, but after your family has lived somewhere for a chunk of time that is where you are from. Or how I see it.

[SephYuyX]

I getcha.

[Zalius]

i dont actually like bringing it up. if people interested ask me, i tell them my dads side is egyptian and my moms side is irish. aside from that, im just a monkey on a rock, i dont give a fuck what other monkeys named the rock while i was busy waiting for the perfect opportunity to be born

[lovehatehero]

My take on it is, I was born, raised, serving in the military, and lived my whole life here. Im a god damn fucking american. Yes, my family past my be german/czech, but Im an american through and through. None of this XXX-american bs.

[Dareus]

I live in NJ, it's fairly obvious I'm American so if someone asks me "What are you?" I would assume they were asking where the roots of my family come from. If I was traveling in Europe and someone asked me that I would say I was Canadian (let's be honest here).

[benjamus]

usually when people ask where i'm from i'd say california just to differentiate myself from the red staters. as far as nationality/ancestry, when people ask about my last name (which is croation) i get to make my relatives waiting in bread lines joke.

[benjamus]

personally heritage means nothing to me, but i would imagine it doesnt to most white folk seeing as the melting pot is very effective and having any pride in your ethnic background would be unusual for many multiple generation families. most people dont care

[Rhinox]

What people fail to understand is unless you're white you'll never be considered as American by others especially by white people on first impression. Why does it matter? Because right from the start were are labeled into a perceived subclass in many circles.

When you see a Hispanic person that is in say a majority Mexican neighborhood the First thing that comes to mind is not "oh check out that American walking down the street" its "Oh check out that Mexican".

Same for Chinese in Chinatown. hell even I'm guilty of it. The only race that can pretty much Identify themselves as Americans imo aside from White people are Black people.

Blacks have developed their own cultural heritage that is unique to America since their heritage was ripped from them during the slave trade. They have their own dialect and history that is uniquely American.

Chicanos or American-born of Mexican decent have some similarities and will eventually be as rich in history and culture in America but are not as far along unfortunately because some Chicanos Identify themselves mainly as Mexican. The sad part is Most Mexican Nationals think lower of Chicanos you go to Mexico and try to tell them you're Mexican and you'll be laughed at. But Chicanos have their own Dialect which isn't quite Spanish and not quite English and have a rich history as well.

As some of you might have surmised I'm Mexican-American. I might be American but its really in name only. I Identify myself as Chicano simply because I feel forced to it. I can go around saying I'm an American all I want but its not what people will see when they see me so fuck it.

There are millions like me as well. Millions of American born Mexicans who feel antagonized mainly by white people as something lower born then them. You can find to many instances of this throughout the 20th century. American Citizens were being deported to Mexico even though their family was from California and were American citizens in the late 20's during the Mexican Repatriation and again during Operation: Wetback(thats seriously what they called it) in the 50's. The zoot suit riots where white American Service men attacked mainly Mexican-Americans because of racism and bigotry and the false belief that many have today that Mexicans are stealing jobs. They also went on to attack Blacks and Asians.

This isn't unique to us though Black people experience it and others too. thats why there was a large Black nationalist movement back in the late 60's and 70's. This is where the term "Black" and "Chicano" came to prominence.

Here is some good videos if you have the time its really rich in history.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uia5mrXBGUg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSitGowmXXg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZsMvYT9B0s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9LF65wpE4U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtYNNDsv7VA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BF4_uGKAJkg

[Rhinox]

Try to tell a Native American to completely assimilate and see what happens.

[Yabby]

I giggle.

[archibaldcrane]

QQ i'm mexican

I tell people I'm part-bohemian occasionally (which is true, 1/8th) because I think that's kinda random and cool but otherwise I'm such a northern/western european 3rd/4th generation mutt that it's pointless to identify with the 6 mother countries.

Woohoo St. Patrick's day 1/4 irish *yawn*

[Rhinox]

I have no cultural identity So I'll mock others.

I'm sorry Archi.

[archibaldcrane]

S'ok, I don't play the persecuted victim with my American peers. I'll survive with their support.

[Rhinox]

S'ok, I don't play the persecuted victim with my American peers. I'll survive with their support.

Pretty easy to do when you don't have to face any kind of persecution.