Americans + Irish /Italian obessions?

Question

Ill give you some background before I start to explain

I'm colombian (for those of you geographically impaired , colombia = south america) but Ive in the states, specifically California, for most of my life so far. Growing up in southern california ive observed a strange tendency for Americans to brag about thier far irish roots or italian roots, when they have either never been to italy or ireland, dont speak the language, or have absolutely no cultural connection whatsoever. So what is with this . Are americans ashamed of being americans? is there a cultural void they feel they need to fill? Join me in my consipracy and let me know what you think.


Please only intelligent answers welcome.

Then do americans have no true culture since they cant be linked to native americans, and since the majority of Americans who brag about thier ancestors have no REAL connection to thier ancestors culture besides simpley being a descendant?

Answer 1

there is a lack of identifable "culture" among many white americans and this has lead to two outcomes:

1) co-opting certain aspects of "exotic" or "urban" cultures of others though always maintaining a defined privilege of 'whiteness' and
2) attempting to establish roots within a more "ethic" or historically culutrally distinct group

author bell hooks writes a lot about this and how this is played out in u.s. society and the effects of this on both white society and those of color.

Answer 2

You know, this question turned out alot better then I thought.
Great question, I guess the progress and achiements from the Great Immigration with the Italians, Irish, and Germans in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Nothing wrong with someone being proud of where they're blood came from. I'm proud to be of Italian decent, Italian-American, its a good thing. I love the culture, and history behind Italy, and I love the language.
I will admit this though, they can be of a certain decent, advetise themselves a little bit too much, Italia Shirts or stereo-typing and have no taste or have never experienced their own culture when growing up. So it seems nowadays everyone is Italian and Irish and whatever the hell you be. I think those who just woke up one day and said wow, I'm proud to be this... and are full of themselves
What I dont get though, is our ancestors left Europe for a better way of life, and here certain cultural groups are more fascinated by where their blood comes from. I thought our ancestors came here in seek of fortune's in a new land.
I will state this, I am proud to be Italian-American! I would never want to live in Italy, only visit long-lost relatives and experience a life my blood-line was exposed to and what they left behind before coming to America.

Answer 3

Nobody in America has culture here unless they are Native Americans. Remember Columbus?

Answer 4

Because unless you're Native American, your ancestors came from someplace else. Most people are a combination of several different heritages, but those who have retained their bloodline are very proud of that fact and should be.

Answer 5

So true! You don't know how many Americans I've spoken to that will tell me they are Italian, but then later on I'll find out their great-great grandmother on their father's side was half Italian. What the fudge??

Answer 6

iz in simple terms cuz of the prevalence complicated of their foundation, like in case you purchase the final olive oil will say Italian on the bottle and prefer French vanilla, if i purchase cologne, I continuously be sure it quite is made in France or Italy, and on the tip of the day, those are all white... My coffee is roast Colombian, and my Bananas are from Colombia, by using fact Colombia is international chief on drug trafficking and cocaine plantation very almost the drug capital of the international and then it quite is Shakira's land too so, each and every time i purchase bananas or coffee any sort of coffee like enable's say they suggested it quite is French roast, as long because it quite is made in Colombia - it quite is actual a third international us of a, and it has a popularity for the optimal kidnapping cost by using insurrection communities yet those are in the uncivilized factors

Answer 7

because I"m a danky motha fooka hahahahahaha dankda nkdanskdankdandkandka

no because according to my brain it says that because of their ROOTS they are going to brag it doesn't matta if they don't speaks the language or neva been there but sometimes these people who brag think they have inherited some sort of special talent from their roots like being able to drink a lot

Answer 8

soooo true lol.....