On Tue, 01 Jan 2008 17:08:57 +0000, Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:


Why is it we have to identify and quantify ourselves as Polish American,
Irish American or African American?

Do we? I mean, we are a nation of immigrants, but most people I know
call themselves plain American in conversation.



Even better - why would a person of 50% mixed heritage - say Obama -
choose to identify himself as black as opposed to white?

Plessy v. Ferguson comes to mind.

On Tue, 01 Jan 2008 17:39:36 -0000, wrote:

On Tue, 01 Jan 2008 17:08:57 +0000, Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:


Why is it we have to identify and quantify ourselves as Polish American,
Irish American or African American?

Do we? I mean, we are a nation of immigrants, but most people I know
call themselves plain American in conversation.

If we don't, then why do hospital admitting forms include a question
about what your ethnic heritage is?

Around here we have Polish/Irish/Armenian/Greek/Italian American clubs
which restrict membership to those of that heritage.

Even better - why would a person of 50% mixed heritage - say Obama -
choose to identify himself as black as opposed to white?

Plessy v. Ferguson comes to mind.

I understand your comment as it stands, but it's still not relevant.

Why, in this day and age, would a person of 50/50% race composition
call themselves one or the other?

Say it wasn't Obama - say it was Jane Doe who was 50% Asian/50%
African.

Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
On Tue, 01 Jan 2008 17:39:36 -0000, wrote:

On Tue, 01 Jan 2008 17:08:57 +0000, Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:


Why is it we have to identify and quantify ourselves as Polish American,
Irish American or African American?
Do we? I mean, we are a nation of immigrants, but most people I know
call themselves plain American in conversation.

If we don't, then why do hospital admitting forms include a question
about what your ethnic heritage is?

Around here we have Polish/Irish/Armenian/Greek/Italian American clubs
which restrict membership to those of that heritage.

Even better - why would a person of 50% mixed heritage - say Obama -
choose to identify himself as black as opposed to white?
Plessy v. Ferguson comes to mind.

I understand your comment as it stands, but it's still not relevant.

Why, in this day and age, would a person of 50/50% race composition
call themselves one or the other?

Say it wasn't Obama - say it was Jane Doe who was 50% Asian/50%
African.


Some Japanese refer to such combos as "kokujin," or something like that.
I think it has negative racial overtones, something like the "n" word.

I thought you were a Plutonian-American, whereas your fishing buddy is a
Uranus-American


--
George W. Bush - the 43rd Best President Ever!

On Tue, 01 Jan 2008 19:23:32 +0000, Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:



Why, in this day and age, would a person of 50/50% race composition call
themselves one or the other?

Say it wasn't Obama - say it was Jane Doe who was 50% Asian/50% African.

Beats me, but perhaps, it's the difference between nationality and
ethnicity. I'm American with an Irish bloodline, but in my case, I've
never referred to myself as Irish-American. Others may choose
differently.