why are non-whites called (their race)-americans?

Question

while i'm simply called an american?

Answer 1

You look so pretty in your photo, if thats you.

Answer 2

You're right. I thought at some point in time you were an American. If this is your country of choice and you vacationed in any other country you would be considered an American and not a what-ever American. Never understood it.

I think another part of it is so some of these people can come on here and insult you for asking such a question.

Answer 3

An excellant question! I wish I had an excellant answer. Being called an African-American, Arab-American or Asian-American is typically used by those who want to make some distinction, to fit themselves or others into a stereotype.

I could be called a German-American, however, I don't identify myself as German. Perhaps, since my grandparents came from four different countries in Europe, I ought to be called an European-American.

Answer 4

That's a sticky point isn't it. Maybe they want to retain some connection with their past, or maybe its just a major obstacle to peaceful race relations. Mixed marriage is the only way, but that will never happen to a great extent without good race relations. If race wasn't an issue, there would be more mixed marriages than non-mixed marriages, and after a few generations there would be no discernible difference between races.

Answer 5

I would think it is because of their own need to identify themselves further, as southern American or by nationalities Indian Russian German Italian etc. Once we learn to say American and that it is sufficient, we should feel more united and it will stop.As you will see the Whites are included, it is not only the "non-whites" Why do you feel that it is important to say that you are non-white?

Answer 6

It's just Anglo-centrism hard at work. YOU, if you are white, are technically, I suppose, an anglo-american. However, since America is pretty much ruled by whites, we consider ourselves the norm -- so we are "americans" and everybody else needs a qualifying term to make sure it's known that they are not white americans. At least, that's what I think. (As I wrote this, though, I was thinking about "Irish-Americans" and "Polish-Americans." Why do we use those terms?)

Answer 7

You're probably like me and a mixture. A true melting pot. We take the mixture of races to heart. Others, wish to be singled out, as specific. They are still Americans, just haven't gotten into the spirit of things yet I guess.

Answer 8

To accentuate their differences. To distinguish them from you.

(Although it isn't commonly used by anyone except for the terms "African American" and "Native American", and the latter is because the White man kept calling them "Indians"...)

Answer 9

Exactly. And what is PC now? Black? African-American? Not many still come over from Africa, so how does that apply? *****? Colored? What can I say? Why do we call Asian Americans that? There are many who have been here for centuries.

Answer 10

it's so silly. i was thinking about what one person said that those people who are not native to this country choose the hyphenated name. except everyone who lives in America, are not native americans. we all orginate from another continent. except for the Native Americans (indians). and they aren't really native if you go back far enough. sure they were here before the rest of us. but supossedly they came from the the Artic or something. and if you go back even farther didn't we have one whole continent called Pangea. so really... you should see my point by now...

Answer 11

Lady, the day that we are no longer required to select an ethnic group on an application will be a great day! Yes, why can we just be known as Americans.