Why do you call yourself an American?

Question

People from France are French, people from Germany are Germans, but they are both European. People from Japan are Japanese and China are Chinese, but both are Asian. Why are people from Mexico not considered American. Isn't Mexico part of North America? Aren't Mexicans also Americans?

Ista, so what you are saying is that a country has to have the name of the continent in its country's name for its citizens to be considered part of that continent. I guess the French are not Europeans because it isn't called the French States of Europe.

Answer 1

Totally understand what you're saying.

I do it sometimes out of habit and, I guess you could say, societal programming. But I do think we should refer to people from the United States as some other name (Perhaps United Statesians?).

Again, I totally understand your point. It's disrespectful towards all the other American nationalities for those of us here in the U.S. to refer to U.S. citizens as Americans (unless referring to EVERYONE in America).

If I remember correctly, Spanish speakers say "Estadounidense" (meaning "from the United States"). I think they have it right.



To Add: Ok, if we're going to refer to people according to continents, it's inaccurate to call people Central Americans and Latin Americans. Central America is a region in southern North America (southern border of Mexico to the northern border of Colombia). And Latin America includes all of the countries of the Western Hemisphere which are south of the United States. If we refer to everyone on this land mass according to the continents they reside on then people can only be divided into two groups: North Americans and South Americans. [By the way, the name of this land mass is America. Therefore, everyone residing on this land mass is an American.]

I truly don't care how people choose to identify/label themselves. But I do think it would be a great deal more respectful if we were to stop speaking as though U.S. citizens are the only Americans.

Answer 2

Well Canada is part of North America but they are not considered American either. Besides North America is a continent. The reason why mexicans and canadians are not considered "Americans" is because they are not citizens of the United States of America. I call myself an American because I was conceived born & raised in the United States of America as were my ancestors.

Answer 3

All the countries of europe have been inhabited through exceptional peoples over the a long time. No French guy is thoroughly french, to any extent further than any german is completely german- most effective the generations born below the union of the german or french individuals as a country. Before that the germans have been tribal peoples from as some distance away as russia. Every country got here from a few situation else, and individuals congregated there from everywhere, united and shaped governments and international locations. Same with the US. We're american irrespective of wherein we got here from. Germany and france dont have that many NATIVE individuals both- within the experience that the long-established peoples who migrated from africa settled and remained for eons. The populations are continually in flux. Think approximately it, the french who at present are consuming baggettes and smoking fags and announcing weewee, aren't the equal peoples who had problematic civlizations at the shorelines and left cave drawings at the gentle limestone caves. You have got to return and perform a little old historical past of europe and western asia. You'll see what we are announcing.

Answer 4

Because the proper name for the others are North Americans, Latin Americans, Central Americans, or South Americans. America by itself is not the name of a continent. We are one of a few nations which has a continent or part of a continent's name in its own. What term specific to US Americans would you rather US Americans call themselves?

Answer 5

We are from The United States of America. The US is the only country that actually has America in it's full name. It isn't Mexico of America or Canada of America, they are simply Mexico and Canada. That is why US Citizens are Americans, and the others are Mexicans and Canadians.

If you are from here, you should have learned this in 8th grade history.

Answer 6

"Isn't Mexico part of North America?"

Yes, it is.

"Aren't Mexicans also Americans?"

Yes, they are. Along with the rest of the people who live in or are from what is called North America, South Amera & Central America.

"Why are people from Mexico not considered American."

Because so many people are ignorant to this fact. It's sadly a very common misconception. But even many people who AREN'T from the U.S. only consider people from their 'American.' As I said, it's a very common misconception.

Answer 7

I was born in one of the 50 states.

Answer 8

In my experience, a lot of Mexicans (and a lot of South Americans) do call themselves American.

Answer 9

It's just a word, it don't mean anything. Just something we can give ourselves a reason to drink a beer to.

Answer 10

because i was born and raised here and my family has been here for over 300 years. what else would i call myself?