Why be Mexican-American, Afro-American, etc. Why not just be American?

Answer 1

I am half white and half east Indian and I have always considered myself to just be an American.

Answer 2

This country, matter of fact, this world normally doesn't like to look at similarities mostly differences. Personally i think its unfair since the European settlers stole this land from the native Americans (as well as Mexico) and worked the land with African slaves not to mention many other races helped fight during the American revolution to remove the oppression they themselves enforced. I think they earned the tittle American(just American) more than anyone else. yet the White settlers considered only themselves American and the constitution was made only to apply to them(well with a few exceptions to women). and today many people still hold on to these prejudices. Ironic isn't it?

Answer 3

personaly: my father was born in the U.S. and mother born in Mexico. (came to the U.S. ILLEGALY) I was born in the United States but don't forget where my family came from. so I consider myself Mexican-American. and it's not to get a job or benefits like most people that answered say. My first language was spanish and learned english through school. Don't put me down because I am Mexican-American. I'm also a Staff Sergeant in the US Army so I am MORE American than you are.......I help defend this country.

Answer 4

In this country, we are culturally diverse and we have all come from "somewhere else" at some point in our lineage. Due to this variance, discrimination has been rampant- since the Puritans vs. Quakers and the Spaniards vs. Native Americans, and the government tries to make sure there is no discrimination. I, personally, would much rather call myself "American" than having to explain my cultural background, but it isn't a reality in the USA.

Answer 5

Beats me. I don't know who started it but I think it is bad for community relations. If you want to come here and become a citizen, that should be the end of it-- learn our language and traditions -- but who am I - just a little guy who can't do a thing about it.

Doesn't it seem to you that if someone refers to himself as African-American or Mexican-American, whatever, he doesn't want to give up his past and become a true citizen?

Answer 6

This is the best comment I've seen on here under the Immigration heading. Very good question. And how many African-Americans are really from Africa?

Answer 7

Why can't we embrace our culture? Isn't this America after all, we are free to be what we like? Concepts such as religion and culture are freedoms of expression, what the hell is wrong with it?

We can still be ourselves and also be American. Please define what an American is anyways? YOU can't, because Americas are made of all peoples. So why don't you just get over your rigid concept of what an American should be? You don't define what it is to be an American....

Answer 8

People who hyphenate themselves have an identity crisis...People in Ireland don't consider some Americans as Irish Americans...We are Americans that is it...

Answer 9

Because these groups want to segregate themselves so that they can delude themselves into thinking that Whitey is keeping them back. If we were all just American then we would have no need for Affirmative Action or other programs which exacerbate this self-segregation

Answer 10

Because they found it's embarassing to tell "black", "yellow", etc... to describe someone. So they use something-american to make sure this description won't be seen as racism