Why do so many Americans call themselves Irish or English or whatever?

Question

My family has been here since the 17th Century. I consider myself an American.

Answer 1

I agree with you. I do however, believe if others can be African American, I can then be an Irish American. I am so looking forward to Irish History Month. School children need to be aware of the Irish contributions to history.

Answer 2

There are quite a few ways to look at this. To be literal, the only true Americans are the Native Americans (or Indians), whose numbers are relatively small. However, for those of you whose families have lived in America since the mass immigration from England and Ireland, the title "American" has become the norm. However, your nation of origin/ethnicity is indeed Irish or English, which is probably why your parents continue to refer to themselves as such.

Answer 3

My family came to America from Ireland around the end of the19th century, a little over a hundred years ago. I'll always have a soft spot for Ireland, but I'm an American first, last, and always.

Answer 4

I'm guilty of doing that when I was a lot younger. All my ancestry stems back to the "old country". Both my parents were born in the US, but I do not recall that they ever referred to themselves as American. I was raised always thinking that I am Portuguese, it was not until I was an adult that I finally realized that I was an American. Going through school, I do not recall it being stressed that we are Americans. I suppose that I just assumed that people just knew that I was American though I did refer to myself as Portuguese.

Once I realized that I am American I started referring to myself as such, though it did seem awkward at first.

Now that I live in Canada, I always refer to myself as American. It would be difficult to deny as I still have an All-American accent.

Answer 5

Because noone is truly from here. Except maybe Native Americans, but then, they never called this chunk of rock America and we're the bigots who refuse to call each separately by their tribe names.

Since this is a country of proud immigrants, those immigrants like to idenitfy with their origins. Plus, it's trendy.

When people ask me where I am from, I don't say America or the country my anscestors are from. I use my state of birth.

Answer 6

Pride. Most Americans come from piss poor backgrounds and will grasp at any straw to feel good about themselves. Plus, as a nation of immigrants we have no real identity, except as removed Europeans.

Answer 7

because if you are an American then your family is really from somewhere else... I am an American but my people from the days past are from England and France and Ireland Way back when...

Answer 8

Good question. Here's another: Why do Black Americans call themselves "African-Americans", when most have never been there, and couldn't point it out on a map.

Answer 9

Im German but call myself American. Most Just want to be different . Maybe they try to use it as a way to make it look like they respect their heritage.

Answer 10

because their ancestors came here from ireland, or england. they are american by birth, but irish/english by heritage.