My great great grandfather came from Germany, should I demand to be called a German-American?

Answer 1

Unless you were born in a country outside of the United States you are an American. The end. Period.

Your grandad was a German-American because he was born in a foreign country but came to the USA.

Answer 2

No. Because you are proud to be an AMERICAN, as am I.

My ancestors came from England, Ireland, Denmark, Hungary and probably other areas I don't even know about.

Some came before the American Revolution, others came less than 100 years ago.

America is the only country that ANYONE can become a citizen of. We are based on an IDEA, not bloodlines. I don't know of any other country that can say that.

Sometimes Americans have been deemed arrogant, and some are, like some of all groups of humans. But essentially you are an American because one or more of your ancestors CHOSE to be so, generally. Slavery and other circumstances are exceptions, but still the country was founded on IDEAS more than just a group of folks who found themselves on the same patch of dirt. Again, this is a club people had to make an effort (involving leaving EVERYTHING they knew and taking a chance on a new land) to join, which I think makes us different.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!

Answer 3

Every once in a while I read something here on YA that changes the way I think.

Unfortunately, it wasn't your Q that altered my thinking. It was shocksock's answer.

Bottom line is that if my ancestors were forcibly kidnapped and sold into slavery, I'd have a different view of my "roots" than I do now.

I say let blacks call themselves African-Americans if it gives them a sense of pride and remembrance. Then let them function as full-fledged American citizens, albeit those whose ancestors took a somewhat different path to America than mine did.

If you read and think with an open mind, even this wild forum can teach you something!

Answer 4

You should most definitely call yourself a German-American. You are basically stating your heritage when you describe yourself as such. I call myself a European-American because I am offended by being called "white" or "Caucasian", just like black people prefer to be called "African-American" (I am just making a generalization about that. I know not all feel that way.)

Technically, one is only "African-American" if one lived in Africa. Our current society has taken this to mean any colored person whose ancestors were African. However, this doesn't apply to white South Africans, descendents of Dutch and English, or Arabs in North Africa. Under this thinking, it would be politically correct for you to call yourself "German-American". Living in a country that takes pride in political corrected-ness means you can do nothing else.

Answer 5

Good idea. I have German ancestors too. They came to the US after the Civil War and settled in Iowa. My English ancestors settled Jamestown with Capt. John Smith and Pocahontas. So I am certainly entitled to be called German-American.

Answer 6

Did he come voluntarily, then he chose to come and become an American. So you are an American of German Ancestry.
Or was he brought here against his will as a slave, then sold and used as a drought animal, if so he had no choice and you would be right to call your self a German American as a reminder that your being here was not an act of free will.

Answer 7

nicely, they replaced the regulation around the perfect few years. the present round changed into this September. It changed into once that you'll declare citizenship by German ancestry, extraordinarily if the ancestor turned right into a refugee of WW II and had his German citizenship revoked with information from the Nazis. i do not understand how that's now. I propose contacting the nearest German embassy for better suggestions.

Answer 8

You might have to check the location against maps for the date he came to America. You might be Austrian American.

Then you would have to talk like Swartznagger.

Go big Red Go

Answer 9

Depends. Do you like Germany more, or America more? If your ethnicity is more important to you than your nationality, then sure. Be a traitor. If your nationality is more important, then be and American-German.

I am an American Black. And I usually hate it when people talk to me about my color, because it is my mind and not my skin that defines me.

Answer 10

people tend to get nervous when Germans start demanding anything... maybe start out just asking, and see how that goes

funny question though!