When I was growing up in a military family, living on military bases, everyone I met went by American. White, black, brown, yellow.. (not green)
I respected and was curious about their backgrounds and cultures, we were all Americans...
Now I am lost.
Why the hyphens? Isnt it enough to be American anymore?. And keep your customs and culture amongst you , your family and friends?
Just curious as to why race is asked on forms from the government.
2007-10-31 06:18:21 · 12 answers · asked by ? 6 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
F.S.> isnt American enough of a group for the governments concern
2007-10-31 07:00:50 · update #1
You were fortunate to grow up in what is undoubtedly the most thoroughly and successfully integrated segment of American society - the US Military. The rest of the country isn't there yet, unfortunately.
EDIT: How did I get thumbs down on that!!!!
2007-10-31 06:29:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
Bingo.
"American " is the only response I have ever given to the stupid question "what is your nationality ?".
Pisses me off when native born Americans hyphenate or even leave out the American part
Guess getting a demographic profile of the country excites some people.
I always check the "prefer not to answer" box in the dumb
question section.
I like nothing better than when someone, obviously not born here ,says( in english) "I am an American".
Best regards
2007-10-31 16:21:29 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
PNAC-Penelope, have you ever traveled to Sweden? Or did you leave Sweden because you objected to the political system?
I am a first generation American and I have never referred to myself as a hyphenated American. Maybe people who are hyphenated Americans need to identify with a cultural background that provides more than what is currently offered by our music, TV and films at this time in ou history? We are all proud of our backgrounds and there is no sin in preserving that heritage.
2007-10-31 13:34:57 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I completely agree with you! I only tell people I am "asian" because it is what they expect to hear from me, even though I am fourth generation American with Japanese ancenstry. Even my grandparents were born on American soil. I've never set foot in Japan.
I am thankful to be an American. I am extremely patriotic, and I am an American through and through!
There is no need for hyphens. I mean, my husband doesn't say he is Scottish, German, Native Indian, French,English-American. He is just American.
I am not ashamed of having Japanese ancestry at all. It's just that I am proud to be an American and all that it stands for. What heritage!
God bless America!
2007-10-31 15:04:00 · answer #4 · answered by hope03 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Good point. I am Asian-American.
Sementics aside, I don't mind being hyphenated, and proud to declare my cultural identity. Diversity is the spice of life, and America thrives because of it.
Within America, I am Asian-American. Outside America, I am just American.
It is my personal choice to use "Asian-American" as my cultural identity.
2007-10-31 14:17:12 · answer #5 · answered by Think Richly™ 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
We are all americans I agree we don't need to be hyphenated,African, Irish, are the biggest culprits, the rest of us are pretty much content on being just american
2007-10-31 13:28:29 · answer #6 · answered by niddlie diddle 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Having worked for the census, they are trying to find out exactly how many of what we have, so that all the groups can be represented. It would be nice to find out exactly how many people are living here, then we can see how many more have come in illegally in the next 10 years.
American, with German/Dutch upbringing that I don't flaunt, but am proud of it nonetheless.
2007-10-31 13:33:35 · answer #7 · answered by fairly smart 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
There is no hyphen in America. If you are an American, you are American period.
2007-10-31 13:30:32 · answer #8 · answered by mbush40 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's how I was raised. "Irish-American"; my father's family and my mother's family came over two generations ago. As I recall, the notion of being "Irish-American" emphasized pride in the "American" part.
I'm still "Irish-American," and I'm still proud to be American.
2007-10-31 13:33:56 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
HC is just a simple dairy cow and is not really big on hyphens. Hyphens are for terrorists.
2007-10-31 13:28:15 · answer #10 · answered by Holy Cow! 7 · 2⤊ 3⤋