What makes us "American"?

[hedgehog]

Yesterday's thread asked if it was more correct to use the term "black" or "African -American". What no one mentioned is that we were
all talking about the descendants of slaves. This is a distinct cultural group with many sub-cultures. As far as race goes, many of these people have as many or more European or Indian ancestors as African. Slavery was comfortable for the slave holders only if the slave was viewed as the ultimate "other", so great emphasis was placed on any characteristic that could be identified as African rather than European. Skin color and hair texture became the outstanding markers. The fact that identification with this group was long used to denigrate people is one reason we who are not of this group all struggle today for the "polite" term. One of the great successes to come out of the 60's was the assertion that to be a descendant of a slave was not something to be shameful of. It was no longer necessary to suppress any physical or cultural aspect that wasn't "white" or northern European. "Say it loud, I'm black and I'm proud!" liberated not only blacks but everyone who didn't match the supposed mainstream.

Americans who are the descendants of slaves have a different experience than Americans who came here and are coming here from Brazil, Africa or the Caribbean regardless of skin color. One group is dealing with the slavery experience. The other groups are dealing with the immigrant experience. What does unify people from these different groups is that the white majority tends to treat them the same. None of them can get a taxi easily even today.

The first member of my family to come from Ireland came here during the Civil War. He married an Irish immigrant and their children always married other Irish immigrants. I am in the first generation in my line to out-marry; my husband is mostly German with one English ancestor. I don't identify as white although I enjoy the benefits of having white skin; I identify as Irish.

Whether we are talking race, ethnicity, region (Yankee, Westerner, Mid Westerner, Hillbilly, Southerner) or religion, every American identifies with a sub-culture. It is a mistake to assume that one sub-culture is more "American" than any other. It is when we look outside our borders that we see ourselves as Americans. On top of or embedded in all our sub-cultures are certain attitudes that set us apart from the rest of the world. I would be tempted to say that we have a certain openness, interest and acceptance of other cultures, but then where does that leave Republicans?