why is everyone in american denial?

Question

why do people say 'o im greek' or 'o im french' when theyve never even been to those countries? or even lived through that culture? ecspecially the irish and italians theyre the WORST in american denial.
why does no one consider themselves an american?

Answer 1

Maybe because they descend from Greek or French heritage?
I'm Native American but I don't deny it just because I didn't live in a Teepee or wear Moccasins.

Answer 2

Maybe it is because a lot of us are still only 2nd or 3rd generation. This is a young country and we are based on immigration from every other country. So we have sub-culture groups that many closely identify with. We are still close to the culture of our parents and grandparents.

Sometimes its because America is such a large place that to say "American" is too vague. People still don't know what language you speak at home or the part of the country you are from. Or even what country you are from as three countries are in fact part on North America. People from Canada are Americans no matter how much they try to deny it as are the people from Mexico.

Most of the time when people put American behind a different nationality, it is because they are trying to show pride in being identified with the minority groups. One hardly ever hears a person say British-American.

"White" Americans have no politically correct identification. Pride in being a European-American, would be squashed by the "you are the hate mongers of world oppression" camp. To have any pride in being a German-American, for example, would automatically bring remarks about bigiotry or intolerance

The most natural label for people born and raised in the United States would be Native American but we can't use that as it has been taken by the Original Americans.

Its a problem, I know. But I don't see how to fix it. Anybody else have an idea?

Answer 3

Maybe because it's more "interesting" to say you are Irish or Italian or French or Greek or whatever than just saying you are a "plain" American. Who knows? I do see what you are saying and it does make me laugh.

Answer 4

Is "American Denial" a new show like "American Idol?" I haven't seen that one. :o)

People will often use different factors to differentiate themselves and show their uniqueness. You have hit on one of them.

Nobody likes to be thought of as just the same as everyone else.

Answer 5

why are YOU in denial that we've been interior the americas for fifty,000 years? scientists and archeologists have shown this yet human beings such as you who do not examine something scholarly, nonetheless repeat the previous BS concept as though it have been actuality, which it in no way became. so why DO you deny us as being from the americas all alongside? is technological information not adequate for you?

Answer 6

haha. I noticed that Americans don't want others to call themselves Mexican American, African American etc but the minute they can say it, they'll be first to tell they're actually Irish or swedish or whatever! lol. There is no answer to this question.

Answer 7

Because American seems so general. Also, our current president makes us hang our heads in shame. Even I wouldn't be too proud of the fact that I'm American now....everyone in the world hates us!!!

Answer 8

I'm American,


But do you wanna know WHAT ELSE I am?

cause I got A LOT in my lineage.
AMERICAN (obviousely)
Mexican
Spanish
Italian
Native American
Irish
Scotish
English
French
Danish
Sweedish
Switz
Rissian.





My family didn't discriminate,

Answer 9

idk, im jamaican even though i live in America. I was born and raised there and came to America as a teen. i will never understand that. or people who wear the flag when their great grandparents vacationed there lol

Answer 10

Maybe because they have never lived in Africa like all those African-Americans.