I'm not trying to be racist, but...?

Question

several friends have told me that no matter how much we (i.e. colored skin people) contribute to American society, or if we become citizens or our kids grow up here, we will never be considered as first-class citizens.

And when someone asks me where I am from & if I tell them I'm an American - then people will think I'm stupid, because apparently I'm supposed to say I'm an Asian American or an Indian American.

Is that true or false?

Answer 1

those people are idiots. say whatevr u think is true

Answer 2

living an excellent life, even with very very dark skin. In the business world, your effort and production determine what kind of "class" citizen you'll be (unless born wealthy...I'm thinking Ted Kennedy, upper class in income only).

Answer 3

I believe it is False. On the aspect of being a first class citizen, I feel it is what you contribute to society, which dictates your involvement. You contribute, by doing good works, helping the community, etc.. or your job. It wouldn't matter the color of your skin, just your brain power. You could say you are American, however, maybe people are more interested in your nationality, which makes it interesting when meeting people.

Answer 4

That all comes about because of the way people want to except people. It can become racist when people of other countries find it hard to live here and say they are _____-American to be able to grain what their looking for. We also have people from all over the world that are living here in the United States, but are unable to make the transformation from their country ways to the United States that cause alot of problems that could very well be where the first-class citizens starts. Be proud of the country you and your family came from, that you are now here in American to support this country. People that have no other means of expressing themselves are going to find ways to distress other people, do what you feel is right.
We all were born to immigrants that many years ago came to this country, it has just been in the last few years that people want to be address as Asian-American or whatever

Answer 5

I am sorry that your ahem "friends" have remarked this way towards you. What a shame.

You aren't racist, in my opinion. Your friends, however, may be, based upon their narrow-minded attitudes.

You obviously aren't stupid, because you can type and articulate yourself quite well. If someone thinks that you are stupid merely based on the premise that you tell them that you are American, then it is they who have the problem with stupidity.

You seem sophisticated and intelligent. A lot of very beautiful and talented people come from Asia (and everywhere else, for that matter). Hold your head up high!

You ARE an American citizen. If you are polite, kind, and respectful towards yourself and others, then you qualify as a first-class citizen in my book. To blazes with what your friends think.

Answer 6

Dont believe that junk. I am a white American woman and I live in the mid-west. I can tell you that the old white way of thinking is being phased out.
It is generational. The new generations don't seem to have those hard core racist beliefs.
You are just as much an American as I am.
As with anything, you must focus on the positives, not the negatives.
There is still racism in this country, that is unfortunately true... but it is getting much better. We just have to be patient and wait it out.

I am not racist, but do have a problem with illegal immigrants coming here with no regard for our American system of government.


Theodore Roosevelt, 'Federal Textbook on Citizenship Training', published in 1931...
In the first place we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the man's becoming in very fact an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag, and this excludes the red flag, which symbolizes all wars against liberty and civilization, just as much as it excludes any foreign flag of a nation to which we are hostile...We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language...and we have room for but one soul [sic] loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.

Answer 7

That is not true always. Yes some people act that way but not all and its getting more and more. I am against the sub title American thing be it African or Asian Mexican,,,, whatever. If you where born here or have become a citizen that's as American as it gets. If you subscribe to the thought that if you or you forefathers immigrated to this continent you are not truly American then there can be no native people on the planet except in Africa. if you look back in time far enough, we all started out there

Answer 8

I can't speak for everyone... no one can...
but in my opinion, you're not only an American (no prefix) but you're a great American for speaking up and exercising your right to free speech.
What makes America great is the contributions of peoples from every ethnicity and culture...
what I decry right now is the destruction of that culture by those too self-centered to realize that we're not:
African Americans
Asian Americans
Irish Americans

... we're just Americans.
I'm of Italian descent on my mother's side but I'm not an Italian American, I'm an American.
There's a reason my family moved here.
Do you ever hear the term "European Americans"?

When we get past adding these prefix titles to what we really are, maybe we can finally come together as a country.
When we realize that one's skin isn't important but one's heart is critically so... maybe we can put the past behind us.
In my book, you're an American.
Thanks for being a part!

Answer 9

Stick to American if that is what you feel. You should be the one to define yourself, not others. Look, this is, at least, a country that has laws that are supposed to protect minorities from discrimination. Unfortunately, laws against ignorance and stupidity are not practical to enforce, too many dopes, and therefore fruitless to institute. The laws that we have are enforced inconsistently in various parts of the country depending on local sensibilities or lack thereof. All I can tell you is that, in my 50+ years I have seen the treatment and acceptance of minorities improve dramatically. I hope to see continued improvement over the rest of my life. Some people are tolerant and accepting and some are just miserable. There is no black and white answer to your question. My suggestion is, ignore the miserable ones. They do not contribute in a positive way to yours or your children's life. If you are happy, loving, accepting and positive you will be surrounded with many like minded people and it will not matter what race any of you are.

Answer 10

Never forget that the "original" American citizens were immigrants from Europe. Only the native Americans can argue about whom is a first class American.

Answer 11

You're an AMERICAN, no matter what some people might say.

There's no such thing as "Asian American", "Indian American".. or "African American".

People who are citizens of this country are all Americans. It's as simple as that.

Also, there's no such thing as 'first class' or 'second class' citizens. That's all on the minds of certain people.

I could name a few 'white' people who could be considered 'second class' citizens, based on the filthy way they live. So, it's not a matter of skin color.
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