Hyphenated Americans really piss me off

[FamilyZoo]

When someone calls himself or herself a Hyphenated American (doesn’t matter what brand) I find it offensive. I have no issues with maintaining ones culture but to divide oneself from other Americans in my mind is BS.

In my eyes there is only one legitimate Hyphenated American and that is the F#cking American. Who is a F#ckin American you ask? They are the young men and woman of our military.

When they go into war, it’s the enemy that that uses their name, example, “Sh!t, the F#ckin Americans are coming”

When I see one, I always think with reverence and pride, “Now that’s a F#ckin American”

Rant done. Thanks for reading.

 

[Dennis1]

Dont get me started...lmao

 

[Lucille]

I disagree. I think the essence of being American is the freedom to choose what political ideas, culture, etc. one wishes to espouse. If one identifies enough to include the group as a hyphenation, as long as the group includes 'American' I do not see that it presents any issues.

Some groups are organized by culture, some by profession, others by religion; all are American.

Many hyphenated groups serve in the military and serve honorably.
I have never thought that America should be some bland, American cheese homogenized group. If that were so, we, the Fauna-Americans, would be left out in the cold.

Tolerance, friendship, and the moral strength to unite when necessary, THAT is what makes America strong.

 

[Wilomn]

I think it merely serves to keep the divisions that are already too large.

I also think it is abused by certain groups for attention and money.

I don't know how people refer to themselves in other countries so maybe I'm off on this one. I just don't see folks saying, for example in Germany, "I'm african-german" or in Spain "I'm mexica-spanish" and on and on.

Eh, no time for a proper rant from me but I don't like it much either.

Of course, if you look at WHO is most VOCAL in these hyphenated usages you will see some of what I mean by abuse.

 

[Jim O]

Not to necessarily disagree withyou Wes, but when you refer to Germany or Spain you are referring to countries with little history of immigration. Until recently, Turks who had lived in Germany for many years could not become naturalized Germans for instance. Our country consists mostly of immigrants and their descendants. I am all for being American first and for English being our language (as opposed to Spanish, Ebonics or whatever else), but the plain fact is that a large part of our population takes great pride in their heritage. Yet despite that many "German-Americans" and "Italian-Americans" fought in WWII against the forces of Germany and Italy. "Japanese-Americans", many of whom were native born American citizens, did not necessarily fare as well, as no doubt you know.

 

[Wilomn]

I was referring to my not knowing how folks whose family lines originated in countries that they are not at present living in address themselves.

Here we have mexican-americans, african-americans, etc etc and while I am all for national pride, or more correctly genetically territorily accurate pride, I figure once you're here, once you're a citizen, you're an American.

It's not about color or origin. It's about a way of life and a choice to participate in it that way that makes us Americans.

It's not really a big deal, more of a minor irritant.

What REALLY pisses me off is that my ex-wife will NOT stop using MY last name, hyphenated onto the end of her maiden name.

THAT pisses me off.

 

[Jim O]

What REALLY pisses me off is that my ex-wife will NOT stop using MY last name, hyphenated onto the end of her maiden name.

Not in the least because you have to write it on her checks no doubt.

Happily my ex "reverted" to her birth name (she was no "maiden" when we met ).

 

[Xelda]

On paper, it might look like we're all American and should simply call ourselves American. People can accept the fact that more and more minorities are residing in the U.S., but people don't seem to get that those minorities are American too. You would be surprised how many people I meet who ask if I grew up here and then wonder if I get to go home to China often. I've only been to China once and don't consider it home. I've never actually lived there for an extended period of time. I don't even have any relatives who live there.

Is it normal for Americans to get complimented for speaking good English? I get it all the time as if people were surprised to hear me speak with a Midwestern accent. I was born and raised in the U.S. Why would my English be subpar to "normal Americans"?

In a high school world history class, when it came time to learn about China, my classmates actually turned to me expecting me to be the resident Chinese expert. These were the very kids that I'd been going to school with for nearly a decade, but they still thought of me as someone from China who lived there and grew up there and knew what life was like there.

I'm a second generation Chinese-American, and I'm pretty happy using the hyphen. To me, it demonstrates an acceptance of both nationalities. Trust me, I have relatives who absolutely refuse to be Chinese, and likewise, I know others who scoff at anything non-Asian. I'm not white, and I know that has everything to do with why people have a hard time accepting me as one of them. The truth is that no matter how obviously American I am, I will always have people asking about my language and my culture--referring to my Chinese background. It's a dual lifestyle that I've chosen to accept rather than reject.

 

[Dennis1]

On paper, it might look like we're all American and should simply call ourselves American. People can accept the fact that more and more minorities are residing in the U.S., but people don't seem to get that those minorities are American too. You would be surprised how many people I meet who ask if I grew up here and then wonder if I get to go home to China often. I've only been to China once and don't consider it home. I've never actually lived there for an extended period of time. I don't even have any relatives who live there.

Is it normal for Americans to get complimented for speaking good English? I get it all the time as if people were surprised to hear me speak with a Midwestern accent. I was born and raised in the U.S. Why would my English be subpar to "normal Americans"?

In a high school world history class, when it came time to learn about China, my classmates actually turned to me expecting me to be the resident Chinese expert. These were the very kids that I'd been going to school with for nearly a decade, but they still thought of me as someone from China who lived there and grew up there and knew what life was like there.

I'm a second generation Chinese-American, and I'm pretty happy using the hyphen. To me, it demonstrates an acceptance of both nationalities. Trust me, I have relatives who absolutely refuse to be Chinese, and likewise, I know others who scoff at anything non-Asian. I'm not white, and I know that has everything to do with why people have a hard time accepting me as one of them. The truth is that no matter how obviously American I am, I will always have people asking about my language and my culture--referring to my Chinese background. It's a dual lifestyle that I've chosen to accept rather than reject.

Its nice to hear other sides of the story
I am not sure about anyone else but I think this is just about how some people want a crutch
And it would be better if there was no segregation on americans
like we are all americans Regardles of race creed or color and such
And then you have people like me who just want to be recognized as American
Grandmother was indian Grandfather Irish which translates to something like not being able to handle alchohol....lol

 

[Mister Internet]

On paper, it might look like we're all American and should simply call ourselves American. People can accept the fact that more and more minorities are residing in the U.S., but people don't seem to get that those minorities are American too. You would be surprised how many people I meet who ask if I grew up here and then wonder if I get to go home to China often. I've only been to China once and don't consider it home. I've never actually lived there for an extended period of time. I don't even have any relatives who live there.

Is it normal for Americans to get complimented for speaking good English? I get it all the time as if people were surprised to hear me speak with a Midwestern accent. I was born and raised in the U.S. Why would my English be subpar to "normal Americans"?

Olivia,

I think this is because the majority of Americans are only exposed to naturalized, or at most first-gen, immigrants. 99.9% of the time, when an Asian person opens their mouth, they have "the accent" people expect to hear. So, when yours is different, expect them to be shocked... it's not about you, it's merely the numbers game. In another generation or two when there are third and fourth generation Asian kids growing up with everybody, people will be less likely to automatically assume that you grew up with chopsticks in one hand and a samauri sword in the other.

I know personally, I've interacted with persons of around 30 nationalities in my line of work, at last count, and not once have I heard one of them speak with a "normal" American accent. I do have a friend close to home, though, that is totally American in his speech, and he's a third-gen... I think it will just take more time...

 

[Xelda]

Olivia,

I think this is because the majority of Americans are only exposed to naturalized, or at most first-gen, immigrants. 99.9% of the time, when an Asian person opens their mouth, they have "the accent" people expect to hear. So, when yours is different, expect them to be shocked... it's not about you, it's merely the numbers game. In another generation or two when there are third and fourth generation Asian kids growing up with everybody, people will be less likely to automatically assume that you grew up with chopsticks in one hand and a samauri sword in the other.

I think that depends entirely on what part of the country you're in. Chinese have been living in California since before the Civil War. They handle the Chinese-American status with enviable suave. It's a culture shock for me to meet elderly Asians who speak without an Asian accent, but that's because I'm from Kansas. Nonetheless, I think 99.9% is pretty steep estimate. It's probably because we're in different situations, but 99.9% of the Asians I encounter certainly do not speak with an accent. It's more like 70%.

 

[FamilyZoo]

In a high school world history class, when it came time to learn about China, my classmates actually turned to me expecting me to be the resident Chinese expert. These were the very kids that I'd been going to school with for nearly a decade, but they still thought of me as someone from China who lived there and grew up there and knew what life was like there.

I'm a second generation Chinese-American, and I'm pretty happy using the hyphen.

If you didn't call your self a Chinese-American maybe your classmates wouldn't have expected you to be the know it all about China, they may have thought of you as just one of them.

Its kind of screwed up when people call themselves "XXXXX-American" and then get upset when they are treated differently.

Should XXXX-Americans be treated better then someone who refers to themselves as American?

Most of us have ancestors that in some point in time came to this country. When an individual hyphenates they are saying that they are XXXX first, American second.
Just my opinion

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

I figure once you're here, once you're a citizen, you're an American.

I agree with this opinion for the most part, with only one exception. Native Americans.

BTW, why don't we hear much about folks calling themselves "European Americans"? I don't refer to myself as an "Irish American" and my kids aren't referred to as "Heinz 57 Americans". I just like the idea of all of us being "American Americans"!!!

 

[Xelda]

If you didn't call your self a Chinese-American maybe your classmates wouldn't have expected you to be the know it all about China, they may have thought of you as just one of them.

Its kind of screwed up when people call themselves "XXXXX-American" and then get upset when they are treated differently.

Well, let me clarify something. I don't get treated differently because I call myself Chinese-American. I get treated differently because people apparently aren't used to seeing Asians around here. Through my entire K-12 experience, I was the only Chinese girl not just in my class(es) but in the whole school. I kind of stood out, just a little. Of course people were curious. They didn't want to know if I wanted to be considered Chinese-American or American. They wanted to know why I wasn't white.

Should XXXX-Americans be treated better then someone who refers to themselves as American?

I don't even know what point you're trying to make with this. Who ever said anything about anyone being treated better?

Most of us have ancestors that in some point in time came to this country.

Exactly! That's why America will never be one homogenous society. We are a big melting pot and need to learn to appreciate our differences rather than eliminate them.

When an individual hyphenates they are saying that they are XXXX first, American second.

That's a misinterpretation, in my opinion. When I see a person who hyphenates, I see him or her trying to feel at home somewhere between two cultures.

 

[Lucille]

Exactly! That's why America will never be one homogenous society. We are a big melting pot and need to learn to appreciate our differences rather than eliminate them.

This quote rocks, it is very well said, and goes to the heart of what is it to be a citizen in this country.

 

[FamilyZoo]

Well, let me clarify something. I don't get treated differently because I call myself Chinese-American. I get treated differently because people apparently aren't used to seeing Asians around here. Through my entire K-12 experience, I was the only Chinese girl not just in my class(es) but in the whole school. I kind of stood out, just a little. Of course people were curious. They didn't want to know if I wanted to be considered Chinese-American or American. They wanted to know why I wasn't white.

Kids are honest. They ask and make statements that sometimes shock people. America is a large area encompassing many different cultures all over the globe. Anyone can find a place in America where they stick out. Many people consider me white.... but what does that mean, really? Is my blood 100% Eurpoean? When my ancestor were in Europe was there any "unions" with non Eurpean cultures? I dont know.... and honestly I don't care.

I don't even know what point you're trying to make with this. Who ever said anything about anyone being treated better?

People shouldn't ask questions? How else do we learn? When it comes down to it we are all different. We have lived in many places across the country and the world. Every time my kids start in a school they get asked questions and are subject to statements. "Can you speak Italian?", "Your not Hawaiian", "Where did you learn Spanish", "you eat that....ewwww". Even when living overseas, Nationals from that country would ask if I/we had decendents from thier country (looking for a commonality).

Exactly! That's why America will never be one homogenous society. We are a big melting pot and need to learn to appreciate our differences rather than eliminate them.

I disagree! We can be one homogeneous society. America is a huge pot that over hundreds of years different components have been added. Even today a new spice or more of one spice is added. As its stirred the components become part of the stew. They add their own unique flavor to the stew, the stew is ever changing and in my humble opinion its damn good.
I think that appreciating differences in religious is fine. I wont look at appreciate Lumpia, noodles or any other Chiles Rellenos or any other food! I'm digging in and eating!

 

[Jim O]

We can be one homogeneous society.

But whose ideas would prevail and why would we want to be? When immigrants "assimilate" something is lost forever. Is that really better? We are different whether you like it or not. Have you ever been to a Greek wedding? an Irish wake? Chinese New Year? San Gennaro Festival?

If we were "one homogenous society" we may as well be...Germany. That's what they tried to build in the 1930's and 1940's.

 

[FamilyZoo]

I agree with this opinion for the most part, with only one exception. Native Americans.

Native American is not Hyphenated.

 

[Lucille]

San Gennaro Festival?

A wonderful memory from my childhood in New York City. All these years, and you are the first person who has mentioned this festival, which my family attended and enjoyed many times.

Thank you for the memory.....

 

[FamilyZoo]

Greek wedding? an Irish wake? Chinese New Year? San Gennaro Festival?

These are all part of the American culture. What people bring into America becomes something we can all be part of.

I never said become like me or become like us. I am saying come on in, throw your stuff in the pot and lets live as one. American