Can we all be called Americans now?
By Page W. H. Brousseau IV
TIMES STAFF WRITER
For the past year we have seen a resurgence of American pride and spirit. Even a year after the attacks, Old Glory still waves proudly. All Americans, with the exception of those whom fail to realize the South lost in 1865, and the nut jobs that feel the stars and stripes represent oppression and divisiveness, gladly call themselves Americans under one flag.
However, there still seem to be some that continue to view themselves as hyphenated Americans. Whether they be Latino-Americans, African-Americans, or Albanian-Americans they are all proud of their ancient heritage, to paraphrase President John F. Kennedy; but is a hyphen before America really what it takes to be an American? It would be an invaluable learning experience if people taught their children the customs and languages of their heritage, but are we bound to be segregated by our heritage? Am I alone in seeing the dangers and stupidity in this?
I myself, find it hard to classify my race. I am German-Irish-French-Canadian, you do not get much whiter than that, but I refuse to call myself Caucasian, that word itself makes little sense. The Caucuses Mountains run through the southern countries of the former USSR. The people of that region are much darker than Western European citizens, and I despise the term European-American because I detest Europe.
To call someone, or be called, African-American is equally confusing. All human life is a derivative from what is now the African continent. Are we not all African-Americans? Just as surely as we are all Americans? All those who have descendents from Africa may be classified by our government as African-Americans, but Egyptians are a bit different ethnologically than say someone with black skin in Burundi. A first generation white man whose parents emigrated from South Africa may be classified as African-American, just the same as a black man whose parents emigrated from South Africa. What is the social significance of this?
Latino-Americans and Hispanics-Americans may include all those from South and Latin America. Not only those from south of the border fall into these categories, but those of Filipino decent may be called Hispanic-Americans because of Spain's centuries long rule of the Philippines.
How would someone of slave decent from Brazil (yes, President Bush, there are black people in Brazil) be classified? In this case, African-American could apply, but not directly. Hispanic-American may apply for those who are public school educated, but Brazil owes its start to Portugal, not Spain. Perhaps Latino-American may apply here but I doubt it would be sufficient. This is just an example of the racial-quagmire that may arise from marking people with cute little hyphenated labels.
Native-American is what I used to classify myself as until I found out it does not mean "being of America." Since the word "Indian" is now equal to a racial slur, (by more whites than Native-Americans I am willing to bet) the phrase Native-American is most often used when talking about, Indians... I mean Native-Americans... not those from India. Here again the racial classification is, well, racist. Inuit, Navajo, Chippewa and Inca can all fall under this classification, but they hardly are of all a related people, and could not Inca fall under Hispanic or would that be Latino?
Just equating surnames or skin color is misleading as well. Former Energy Secretary Bill Richardson looks every bit Latino as Mexican President Vicente Fox (El Presidente Zorro?) or Paul Rodriquez. Current Energy Secretary Spence Abraham's parents were from Lebanon, and Halle Berry's mother is white as snow. So, as in Berry's case, when the parents are from distinctly different races, how does one classify oneself? More importantly, why must one classify oneself? Is it just me, or does the whole idea of racial classification reek of Nazism?
Political Correctness is the biggest culprit of racial classification. Vonetta Flowers was the first black woman to win gold at the winter Olympics this year in Salt Lake City. NBC broadcasters, in an effort not to offend the sensibilities of their viewers stated Flowers was "the first African-American, from any county, to win gold." For some reason, Liberals never learn that tyrants and racists throughout history are the biggest racial classifiers. I can only wonder why the left is so hell bent on fighting drives to take racial questions out of governmental forms.
Shortly after Denzel Washington won a well deserved Oscar ® (I can't forget that trade mark, I literally fear the MPAA) he was asked when he thought an actor's race would not be mentioned, and in an act of shear respectability and class he replied, "How about now?" Indeed.
Just be warned in putting "American" in the race box. I once put "American" in the race box on an application. When the secretary saw it she said, "You're Native-American? I'm going to have to get you another form to fill out." At which point I told her not to bother and confessed my race to her like a school boy caught with his hands in his pants.
I do not think I have ever felt as ashamed as she was walking away, looking suspiciously over her shoulder at me, needless to say I did not get the job. I once put "Other" but I do not feel like an "Other", particularly after the movie "The Others" came out. Recently I have grown accustom to putting "Jedi" in the race box, it seems to work for me because I have not been counseled to correct it. In the end, will we never be one country until we can call ourselves by one name.
© The Michigan Times 2002
