Why can't Americans simply be Americans?

Question

If you were born in this country, why can you not just simply consider and call yourself an American, why have the prefix? Latin-American, African-American, Asian-American, German-American, and so on. I am not saying to not be proud of your roots, by all means, celebrate Cinco de Mayo, the Chinese New Year, St. Patty's Day and all the others that I forgot. But why can you not just be an American? Our ancestors moved here to become Americans and to start new lives, hoping for better lives than what they were living in where ever it is they immigrated from. As for the African-Americans, granted your ancestors did not come to America on their own free will...but they stayed in America of their own free will, to become Americans.
Am I suppose to say (so that I am politically correct) that I am an Irish-German-Scottish-Welsh-French-Native American? I am proud to be an American, so therefore; I am an American. Why use the prefixes?

In other countries, it does not appear to be this way. Have you ever heard of an African-Frech, or a Latin-English? So why must it be whatever-American and not just American?

Answer 1

What makes you think that these people don't consider themselves Americans first? And why do personally you find it so difficult to accept the fact that some people have numerous identities, one associated with their country and another with their race or ethnicity? Is it wrong to identify with people in your country who happen to share a similar ethnicity or culture that is somewhat unique or different from other cultures in the U.S.?

And what on Earth makes you think you have to call yourself an Irish-German-Scottish-Welsh-French-American to be politically correct? How is that politically correct? Call everyone just plain old American if you want, for heaven's sake. Where did you get the idea that they would be offended if you did so?

Since when did it become a crime to have more than one identifying personal trait?

Answer 2

When people say they're African-American, Asian-American, etc, that doesn't mean they aren't proud to be American. The use of the prefixes you're referring to usually come up when there is a question of ethnicity or origin, so the 'prefix' is important and answers the question of ethnicity.

Answer 3

Have you noticed how we only used the prefixes as weapons? You don't introduce yourself as Latino or Chinese-American in ordinary terms, but when things get rough and discrimination sets in, the courts make sure to recognize that person's background. You're absolutely right, that you should be proud of your roots, but it comes to a certain point and it's too much.

Answer 4

It's shows acknowledgement and pride to their other heritage also and the need to be distinctive.

Answer 5

ah so your an ameri-american