This is an issue that usually gets me pretty heated. My parents did their best to raise two girls who were not bigots. I think they have done a pretty good job, even though I know that I have my own issues to deal with regarding some prejudicial thoughts. However, whenever those 'types' of thoughts come to mind I try to erase them with intelligent thinking. What makes me upset lately is labeling, categorizing. Using the infamous 'N' word will get me ticked off right quick. I am one of the first people to ask another person to refrain from using that word in front of me. It quite frankly bothers me. I know Blacks use this word among themselves, and in a way I can understand, but I even think that is wrong because I do think it confuses people of other races and it is still a derogatory comment.

The main point of this is categorization though. Am I the only person out there sick of the labels 'African-American'; 'Hispanic-American', etc.? That sounds awful upfront that I would say that; however, my point is Aren't we all AMERICANS? Is it really necessary to designate? Please. What first got me to thinking about this was a talk I heard given by Angela Davis when I was in college. She started saying that all Whites should be called European-Americans and that we should separate the races. Oh, she also said that Whites are not a race. I could feel my blood boil. First off, not all White's have a European ancestry! But that is a minor point. The fact of the matter is that American is not a race. It is used in terms of national pride. I am an American. Now, if someone from Africa moved here in their current lifetime, then I understand them saying 'I'm African-American.' because they are. How many people in England, Germany, or France say that they are Hispanic-British, American-German, or African-French??? Does that make any sense?

I get a little riled on this subject partly because of an interview Oprah had with Tiger Woods. She asked him what race he considered himself to be. He responded 'Caublasian-American.' Why did he even need a label? But what upset me most was the responses he got from some Black groups who complained that he was denying his 'African-American heritage". If that is the case then I suppose I am denying my background, but as far as I'm concerned I am American. My ancestors all arrived here between the 1630s and the 1780s which means my family has been here for 200 years or more. Maybe the problem stems from the fact that the USA is such a 'young' country. We are still obsessed by our heritage. I think knowing your family history is fine, as well keeping family traditions in place that are based on your ethnicity/race or otherwise. My problem is us distinguishing by labels what 'type' of American we are. Quite frankly, I'm a proud American. When we stop trying to classify and separate, then maybe we can begin to talk about how to make us come together without losing our differences.