Why do caucasian people so want to have an "ethnicity"?

Question

In other words, why claim to be Italian if you're not from Italy? It's not a race therefore you cannot be Italian if you're not from Italy. If that was the case (going by last name), then I would be Irish or something. And I'm black! Everyone in America's name is foreign, but that doesn't make you foreign. Sorry for the repition lol.

Just wondering.

to kathy you're wrong. And to surfgirl, you're not actually from there.

If I was to say I was french or irish or whatever, you would say no you're black.

I think people want to be the stereotypes that are seen on TV shows.

I think it's a need to wanna play into stereotypes.

If a black person was to move from a European country, people would call them black instead of European. No country would even enter the picture.

Answer 1

Yeah. I just say I'm white.

Answer 2

Well, technically Italian is not a race, but technically, scientifically I mean, there is no such thing as race. African, Asian, Italian, it doesn't matter. Race is a social construct. So you could say: why does everyone so want to have an "race", since there's no real difference between anyone living on any quarter of the globe? Even when you say you are black, you are really just reaching for a "race", an identity that doesn't exist. So get off white people's asses, you do it too.

There IS such a thing as ethnicity, though, because ethnicity is different from race. race tends to cover broad color schemes, and different cultures make up different races as they go along. Ethnicity has to do with where your ancestors actually came from and what cultures they actually lived in. So while my "race" as a social construct is considered "white" or "Caucasian"; because my ancestors actually came from Italy my "ethnicity" is that I am of Italian background. So I don't "want" to have an ethnicity, I do have one.

If you were to want to define your own ethnicity, you could say that you were of African descent, or if you know specifically what part of Africa your ancestors are from you could say you were Kenyan or Zulu or what have you. If you are part Irish or part Italian that could also be part of your ethnicity, even if your race in the U.S. would be considered black, because we tend to consider anyone who's has any African background black. You could say you're black or that you're of African, Italian and Irish descent. I could say I'm white or that I'm of Italian, German and french descent. I'm just pointing out the difference between the two terms.

It's also about ancestral culture. To be Italian-American to me means that I eat in a similar way my great-grandparents who were from Italy, that I and my family are influenced by the culture that she brought across the Atlantic. It has nothing to do with stereotypes, it's not like people see "Everybody Loves Raymond" and actually want to live that way.

Answer 3

While I can kind of see your point that is not totally entirely true. Some people feel like if their grandma came here from Italy then they are still Italian (which they are-just as much as if your great grandparents came here from Africa and you are still black) yes it is not a race but it is a different culture and IS part of what makes them who they are.

Answer 4

I had a conversation about this with one of my friends a few months ago and we agreed on this:
Some people, maybe a lot of people (and maybe even all people) seek a true home and take comfort in the idea that somewhere on this vast world of ours, there is a place that they can unequivocally call their home. That's why people associate their skin tones and last names to different countries, regions and even religions.

Realistically, though, it looks like your question is geared so that you can get someone to agree with you and your ideas. I'm not expecting the points but I hope you read this.

Answer 5

"Ethnicity" and "Race" are not the same.
We're all in the same "race" - Human Race.

As for ethnic background. We all come from various backgrounds. Different colors, religions, cultures ...
From learning about my family's direct ancestors (grandparents, great-grandparents, great-great ..... ) I've learned a lot about my immediate family's traditions.

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Yes - if you're skin is black and you move in from MARS people will say you are black. But that wouldn't change the fact that you're a Martian! I do not categorically lump my 'culture' or 'ethninticity' into "WHITE". That doesn't tell you anything about me. I could be from Germany and into Um-Pa music. I could be from Scotland and into Bagpipes. I could be jewish, catholic, methodist, atheist. "White" tells you NOTHING about me other than my skin is at higher risk of skin cancer than other people.

People need to start closing their eyes and stop focusing on what they see and start opening their minds and focus on who we really are - HUMANS! (We all just have different ways of celebrating where our people came from.)

It's only as we've all going together here in America that we're lost touch with our family's cultures. While I'm very proud to be an American, I'm also very proud of my family's culture and history. I am a product of people who have survived adversity and they deserve to be honored. I honor them by continuing to learn about them and the times they lived in. I honor them by practicing their traditions.
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When I'm at an Irish Event, I'm thinking about 'wow - I like the music here', 'huh! my grandmother had things just like the stuff in this little shop', or 'it's nice to be out of the house with my friends today.' I'm not thinking about being "WHITE". About the only time I stop and think "I'm White" is when I get out of the shower every morning and have to apply large amounts of sunscreen to my body to keep from getting more skin cancers. White is merely the color of my skin - not a 'cultural thing' to me.

It sounds to me that you're giving in to the Stereotypes. Yes they're out there - but those are the walls that keep this society apart from each other and hating each other. You should try looking up your family history - you'll find things that make you mad - we all do. But you'll also find people who did extraordinary things and survived. Even if you're not Irish or Italian - go to some of their cultural events and learn about them. It's not about being "White" - it's about celebrating the traditions of those cultures.

I may not be black - but I feel I have as much right as anybody else to be at a MLK Jr. event. His DREAM was about EVERYBODY being together on that mountain top - Not just blacks, but all colors. It wasn't about everybody forgetting who they are and melding into a colorless, cultureless society. It's about everybody understanding each other, loving each other, and having the same opportunites.

Answer 6

I dont have a traditional Irish surname, but I am IRISH. My mother and father moved from Dublin to america. So having an ethnic surname doesn't mean anything...

White people who claim to be anything perhaps they are, Just cause your black doesn't mean your ethnic either, I highly doubt your from africa...

Answer 7

We all just like to know our roots. Lots of Black people settled in Paris and London as they were treated better there than in the USA. If you were a descendant of one of them, wouldn't you want to know that you were from family that may have been born in France and a French citizen?
It is just part of who we all are and where we came from....and human nature to be curious of one's history.

Answer 8

Well, I'm Pennsylvania Deutch, if that's what you mean. Being just "white" is so boring. So you look at your ancestors to give a little flavor to your life.

Shall I paint you a hex sign or bake you an apple pan dowdie?

Answer 9

Italians are Irish are not Caucasians, they are Latin and Celtic. Caucasians are chechens, dagestanis, ect.

Answer 10

It's all about honoring your heritage and there is nothing wrong with that. I think it's great that people want to keep their cultures alive.

Answer 11

Why african american then? Why not black? It is the same with all races.