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I am more talking about those who still consider themselves things like irish or German but weren't born there. Indigo it is perfectly fine for you to consider yourself American!
If you were born in America and dress in American clothes, speak English with an American accent and act "American", everybody will look at you so, even if ur parents came from a foreign country. However, I can't say everybody will view a foreigner with a green card as truly American, no matter how much they have integrated into American society. It's sad, but true.
Ehe, I didn't mean for my post to sound defensive, my bad. It's almost an art to be able to convey emotion over the internet imo. xP Anyway, if we're talking about hyphenated Americans, I'd think it's pretty short term when it comes to self-identity, at least from what I've seen. I can't, for example, think of any third generation Italian-American who'd actually call themselves that. But when it comes to the whole "I'm a fifth German, one sixty-forth Greek, etc," I dunno. As long as people know their heritage, I think it's something most people here will be proud of.
On the other hand, like Banx said, as long as somebody's ethnically American (I'm not sure this is the right term, but for all intents and purposes), people will view you as American. There's no such thing as an American last name, after all.
I noticed that the demographic in the U.S that is most likely answer American if you ask them what ethnicity they are, is White Southerners. That has been my personal experience. Most other demographics identify themselves as hyphenated Americans.
^ Yes, southerners call themselves, hick, hillbilly, redneck, white-American. The exception I've noticed is ones who know their heritage when part of it is American Indian of some sort.
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Descendants from the Mayflower consider the rest of us immigrants.
... Most other demographics identify themselves as hyphenated Americans.
Jeff,
Don't be afraid to say African-Americans. The vast majority have been here far longer than most of the europeans, most of whom immigrated in the early and mid 1900's.
Why do they insist on remaining "African"-Americans? Because they can still check the box and get preferential treatment. I've yet to see a "European"-American box.
Remember this: It's not about equal opportunity, it's about equal outcome. It's wanting the reward without the effort.
If you were born here by foreign parents you are an American of first generation.
I would consider them just as american as those that landed from the Mayflower
I think it's a matter of how you define yourself. If you go around calling yourself Latino or Italian American or Asian American, then you are choosing your own identity. After all, my grandparents got off the boat from Baden-Baden, but I don't call myself German American.
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