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America is a distinct culture. Is that the same as an ethnicity? I don't know, you tell me. Does it really matter?
Yes, it is the same according to the dictionary definition previously posted. People are confusing ethnicity and genetics. In my opinion there is such a thing as an American ethnicity. When I come across a fellow American in a foreign country I generally find that I have more in common with him than with them, even if we would have felt little or nothing in common if we had met in the U. S.
American people mostly share the same culture, language, mentality and values. This makes "American" an ethnicity in my opinion. So, what kind of ethnicity American is? Germanic, Celtic, Slavic, Mediterranean, etc?
That is arguable.
I ,a Jersey girl,do not share much in common with someone who lives in Oklahoma,Alabama,or Oregon.
IMO, The US is too heterogeneous for a true common "ethnicity."
To oversimplify, 50-60 years ago there were three primary "ethnic groups" 1) WASPs- northern European protestants who had been in the country for many generations. Wide variation in social class, but WASP dominated positions of power. Possibly divided between northern "mainline" protestants and southern baptists/evangelicals. 2) (various) Ethnic whites- southern/eastern europe catholics/jews whose ancestors arrived between 1880s-1920s. Generally blue collar and under-represented in positions of power. Concentrated in the northern industrial cities. 3) African-Americans- descents from slaves who were kept sharpy segregated from white Americans.
Today, I would say the main "ethnic groups" are: 1) white Americans- Intermarriage/assimilation/secularization has largely diminished the WASP/white ethnic distinction. Jews may arguably remain a somewhat distinct subgroup. 2) (various) non-European ethnic groups- these various nation of origin based groups are arguably converging into pan-national "Latino", Muslim, Asian, and maybe a South Asian ethnic groups. 3) African-Americans- African-Americans are less segregated than in the past. But, far from integrated. Afro-Caribbeans, African immigrants straddle lines between groups 2 and 3.
Intermarriage/assimilation is chipping away at these distinctions. But, contiguous immigration, inter-ethnic socioeconomic gaps, and bigger differences in culture/religion/physical appearance may prevent a common "American" ethnicity from forming.
The US is too heterogeneous for a common "ethnicity."
To oversimplify, 50-60 years ago there were three main "ethnic groups" 1) WASPs- northern European protestants who had been in the country for many generations. There was wide variation in socioeconomic status, but WASP dominated positions of power. Possibly divided between northern "mainline" protestants and southern baptists/evangelicals. 2) (various) Ethnic whites- generally southern/eastern europe catholics/jews whose ancestors arrived between 1880s-1920s. Generally blue collar and under-represented in positions of power. Heavily concentrated in the northern industrial cities. 3) African-Americans- descents from slaves who were kept sharpy segregated from white Americans.
Today, I would say the main "ethnic groups" are: 1) white Americans- Intermarriage/assimilation/secularization has largely diminished the WASP/white ethnic distinction. Jews may arguably remain a somewhat distinct subgroup. 2) (various) non-European ethnic groups- these various nation of origin based groups are arguably converging into pan-national "Latino", Muslim, Asian, and maybe a South Asian ethnic groups. 3) African-Americans- African-Americans are less segregated than in the past. But, far from integrated. Afro-Caribbeans, African immigrants straddle lines between groups 2 and 3.
Intermarriage/assimilation is chipping away at these distinctions. But, contiguous immigration, inter-ethnic socioeconomic gaps, and bigger differences in culture/religion/physical appearance may prevent a common "American" ethnicity from forming.
What about the people who identify as ethnically American?
I ,a Jersey girl,do not share much in common with someone who lives in Oklahoma,Alabama,or Oregon.
Being on the inside, you can see the subtle differences among us, but those on the outside generalize: "They" all look alike, but "We" all have individual differences.
Stew has a distinctive taste, but the individual components (peas, carrots, potatoes, beef, etc) are all readily identifiable. We're a stew, not a melting pot that has turned us into a single alloy.
If you've ever spent any time in a foreign country dealing with every day life (not as a tourist) our distinctive American culture (attitudes, expectations, way of thinking, work ethic, not to mention traditions) would have become obvious.
Visiting here in Spain, we are often mistaken for British lol. That is a surprise. I thought our trademark cargo pants were a dead giveaway. Not that many American tourists in this part, I guess.
I have often wondered what facial features differentiate Americans from white Europeans. There is something but what?
There is only one "ethnicity", Homo sapiens. We are all more alike genetically than we are different.
You are talking about "race" not "ethnicity" I think. Ethnicity is about cultural identity. Race is more about biological similarities (although both sort of overlap). But even with race indeed you are right. There is really no test on earth that can determine what race a person is.
There is also "nationality", which again people are confusing this concept with.
When it comes down to it, ethnicity is whatever one wants it to be. For "American" ethnicity I agree with another poster that the population of the US is too diverse to label. Plus it enable a person to claim a more individual identity (and individualism is in the nature of Americans) than simply American. Thus one doesn't become simply "American" like 250 million others, but "Polish/Irish-American" to stand out from the crowd.
Visiting here in Spain, we are often mistaken for British lol. That is a surprise. I thought our trademark cargo pants were a dead giveaway. Not that many American tourists in this part, I guess.
I have often wondered what facial features differentiate Americans from white Europeans. There is something but what?
From British? Maybe teeth that are straight?
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Not that many American tourists in this part, I guess.
