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In the past Theodore Roosevelt had some pretty strong words for people who considered themselves a hyphenated-American. He referred specifically to Irish-, German-, and Native-, but you can easily expand that to African-, Muslim-, Asian- or any other special-interest group. Recently Raven Symone has gotten backlash for refusing to identify herself as "African-American."
It seems that many people have resorted to identifying as this or that group member, and forgotten that we are, first and foremost, Americans. In fact, there are certain groups of immigrants and -ism adherants who flatly refuse to assimilate into American society. They revel in their distinction, they use it as a crutch, an excuse, or a weapon against anyone with whom they differ.
What do you think? Are you American, or X-American? What do you think about those who do identify as X-Americans? Sound off!
*edited for spelling
It seems that many people have resorted to identifying as this or that group member, and forgotten that we are, first and foremost, Americans. In fact, there are certain groups of immigrants and -ism adherants who flatly refuse to assimilate into American society. They revel in their distinction, they use it as a crutch, an excuse, or a weapon against anyone with whom they differ.
What do you think? Are you American, or X-American? What do you think about those who do identify as X-Americans? Sound off!
*edited for spelling
Posted in these groups: 
Racism
Patriotism
Racism Patriotism
Edited 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 12
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In this thread, white men who have never had to think about what that means for a moment complain that other people have. Identity is important. Here's the thing, for decades upon decades, we never had to think about it. White male of European decent was the DEFINITION of American. We could vote, own land, bear arms, etc etc. There are things most of us have just never really had to think about.
Hell, in my experience, asking someone what they think it means to be White or male is a good way to start a fight.
Yes, "X-American" can be divisive, but largely, that seems limited mostly to people who think you should just abandon everything about your heritage and conform already.
I just think it's funny when a media personality gets so used to saying "African-American" instead of black that they use it to describe a black man in Nigeria. Yes, it's happened.
Hell, in my experience, asking someone what they think it means to be White or male is a good way to start a fight.
Yes, "X-American" can be divisive, but largely, that seems limited mostly to people who think you should just abandon everything about your heritage and conform already.
I just think it's funny when a media personality gets so used to saying "African-American" instead of black that they use it to describe a black man in Nigeria. Yes, it's happened.
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SGT Jeremiah B.
I understand that, SFC Jeff L.. However, most of your X-American identifiers are racially based or represent a distinct ethnic group. Your comment illustrates my point though. It is extraordinarily negative and derogatory. It assumes the worst motivations while demanding (or at least expecting) that others conform to your cultural expectations.
Nothing is being said about allegiances with those hyphens. Most people are not grasping for victim status.
Nothing is being said about allegiances with those hyphens. Most people are not grasping for victim status.
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SFC Jeff L.
How do you explain away the animosity toward people like Raven Symone, Ben Carson, Condoleeza Rice, for example, who don't buy in to the X-American mindset? By the way, I've made no demands, nor do I hold any expectations of conformity. I'm a realist, but I'm a realist with an opinion. I do think there are allegiances being made and demonstrated every day to one subset or another where people are putting their diversity group's interests ahead of everything else.
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SGT Jeremiah B.
Fair question - I don't think that's necessarily related to "X-American." There are fair criticisms against all three examples while it's also true that there's a certain amount of "race traitor" thinking is going on as well. I would hazard there's far less of the latter than the former, even if the internet gives idiots a bullhorn and 24 hour news will make an enormous story out of a couple of tweets.
Finally, I used "demand" loosely for lack of a better word. However, it seems clear that you view conformity as the ideal while not recognizing that you belong to the group that set the standard on what that should look like. This sort of thinking isn't just limited to White Americans though. There are expectations that all women will vote for pro-choice or all Latinos will vote pro-Amnesty or that all "producers" will vote Republican. All of those are patently false, but it doesn't stop us.
Sure, in an ideal world, we'd all be "American" but we're not there yet.
Finally, I used "demand" loosely for lack of a better word. However, it seems clear that you view conformity as the ideal while not recognizing that you belong to the group that set the standard on what that should look like. This sort of thinking isn't just limited to White Americans though. There are expectations that all women will vote for pro-choice or all Latinos will vote pro-Amnesty or that all "producers" will vote Republican. All of those are patently false, but it doesn't stop us.
Sure, in an ideal world, we'd all be "American" but we're not there yet.
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SFC Jeff L.
SGT Jeremiah B. And THAT, my friend is the crux of the matter. "Sure, in an ideal world, we'd all be "American" but we're not there yet." It is incumbent upon us all to act in accordance with our beliefs. If you say that is the ideal, then be the first kid on the block to embody that characteristic and eshew divisive behavior. Excusing it because you understand it only encourages it to broaden and deepen.
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