African American

[Bagor]

Is Indian technically still considered derogatory?

Reason I'm asking is my 5 year old came home from school (French) and told me he was learning all about the Indians?

I thought the word was a bit no no for a few years now but is it still acceptable in French (Indien)?

[4X4]

I wonder if east indians are annoyed that their word got jacked, thus forcing them to have to be called "east" indians..? And I also wonder why the first people that arrived in NA thought that natives were indians? You can't really get to india without passing through asia. Even they would have know that. So why didn't they think they were encountering chinese or south asian people?

[gottabekd]

I also dislike using the term "African American".

If I trace my roots back far enough, I'm also "African American", despite being a whitey. To me it singles out the group as not being from around here. No matter how many generations a black family has lived in North America, calling them "African American" implies they are some different, irregular type of American.

Not to mention someone may hardly identify themselves as any type of African descendant, yet they have darker skin, so are labeled as such.

[malcolmk14]

Originally Posted by 4X4

I wonder if east indians are annoyed that their word got jacked, thus forcing them to have to be called "east" indians..? And I also wonder why the first people that arrived in NA thought that natives were indians? You can't really get to india without passing through asia. Even they would have know that. So why didn't they think they were encountering chinese or south asian people?

Christopher Columbus called them Indians when he arrived, because he thought he had reached the East Indies on his way to Asia.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by malcolmk14

Christopher Columbus called them Indians when he arrived, because he thought he had reached the East Indies on his way to Asia.

Ah. Makes perfect sense.

[ok, ok,....I get it]

i hate when people call themsleves Irish, Itialian, or (insert country) and they have never been there, they don't speak the language.

you are canadian.

[malcolmk14]

Originally Posted by ok, ok,....I get it

i hate when people call themsleves Irish, Itialian, or (insert country) and they have never been there, they don't speak the language.

you are canadian.

This is one thing that really bothers me, actually. I have a friend that goes on and on about how he is Irish. I always come back with something like "Oh yeah? What city in Ireland do you live in?" or "Oh, who's the head of state in Ireland right now?".

We went to Mexico a few years ago and he pulled out a Canadian passport. I pretended to act surprised and asked him where his Irish passport was. It's now turned into an onrunning joke amongst my friends, and we always interrupt him when he's ordering food at a pub and we tell the server he'll just have some Irish Stew and a Guinness.

[Teh_Bandwagoner]

I prefer the term "Blackie McBlackington".

It's rather surprising how non-offensive this term seems to be, despite my repeated use.

[flip]

Originally Posted by ok, ok,....I get it

i hate when people call themsleves Irish, Itialian, or (insert country) and they have never been there, they don't speak the language.

you are canadian.

Originally Posted by malcolmk14

This is one thing that really bothers me, actually. I have a friend that goes on and on about how he is Irish. I always come back with something like "Oh yeah? What city in Ireland do you live in?" or "Oh, who's the head of state in Ireland right now?".

We went to Mexico a few years ago and he pulled out a Canadian passport. I pretended to act surprised and asked him where his Irish passport was. It's now turned into an onrunning joke amongst my friends, and we always interrupt him when he's ordering food at a pub and we tell the server he'll just have some Irish Stew and a Guinness.

I am rather proud of my Italian and Irish heritage.

We do eat a lot of Italian food, no I don't speak it, but I do know where my mom's family still lives in Italy, so in that respect I am Italian. Furthermore, as a 2nd generation Italian I am entitled to Italian citizenship, I haven't applied yet and would like to, but either way I could.

As for the Irish in me, my last name is Irish and I am proud of it very much even though I know little about my actual Irish heritage. That being said your friend sounds kind of lame, if he gets his Irish culture in the form of food and drink from a pub, which is a crappy representation of actual Irish culture, then yes you should make fun of him a lot.

I consider myself a Canadian who is of Irish-Italian heritage. Since most of my family speaks Italian, visits frequently etc I tend to identify more with my Italian side. I cheer for Italy in soccer, and Ireland when applicable.

For my Irish heritage it comes in handy a lot when I'm drinking (people attribute my drinking abilities, and being a loud boisterous drunk to being Irish/Italian), that and St Patty's Day.

[malcolmk14]

Originally Posted by flip

I consider myself a Canadian who is of Irish-Italian heritage.

This is where you differ from my friend who considers himself Irish.

[flip]

Originally Posted by malcolmk14

This is where you differ from my friend who considers himself Irish.

I should say though, on St Patty's Day, I'm Irish. When Italy is in Euro, or the World Cup, I'm Italian, when Canada is at the Olympics or World Championships, I'm Canadian.

[ok, ok,....I get it]

Originally Posted by flip

I am rather proud of my Italian and Irish heritage.

We do eat a lot of Italian food, no I don't speak it, but I do know where my mom's family still lives in Italy, so in that respect I am Italian. Furthermore, as a 2nd generation Italian I am entitled to Italian citizenship, I haven't applied yet and would like to, but either way I could.

As for the Irish in me, my last name is Irish and I am proud of it very much even though I know little about my actual Irish heritage. That being said your friend sounds kind of lame, if he gets his Irish culture in the form of food and drink from a pub, which is a crappy representation of actual Irish culture, then yes you should make fun of him a lot.

I consider myself a Canadian who is of Irish-Italian heritage. Since most of my family speaks Italian, visits frequently etc I tend to identify more with my Italian side. I cheer for Italy in soccer, and Ireland when applicable.

For my Irish heritage it comes in handy a lot when I'm drinking (people attribute my drinking abilities, and being a loud boisterous drunk to being Irish/Italian), that and St Patty's Day.

I see you points, but as someone that was born in England or Welsh decent, but has Canadian Citizenship, and served in our army, it still drives me nuts that people make attempts at linking themselves to countries that are IMO inferior to ours.....and just so I am clear you only cheer for Ireland when they are in a drinking contest? With all do respect knowing you Italian geography does not make you italian.

This desire to be attached to another country is a weakness of our nation and one I wish would stop.

Slàinte & Alla Salute

[4X4]

Good post, flip. I'm kinda the same when it comes to identifying myself.

[ok, ok,....I get it]

Originally Posted by flip

I should say though, on St Patty's Day, I'm Irish. When Italy is in Euro, or the World Cup, I'm Italian, when Canada is at the Olympics or World Championships, I'm Canadian.

so you are a drunk lumber jack that drives a tank with only reverse for gears?

[corporatejay]

I'm pretty sure the census calls them "blacks". I recall in my Race and Ethnicity Soci 4xx class that academics (in canada anyway) refer to them as "black" or "the blacks".

[flip]

Originally Posted by ok, ok,....I get it

I see you points, but as someone that was born in England or Welsh decent, but has Canadian Citizenship, and served in our army, it still drives me nuts that people make attempts at linking themselves to countries that are IMO inferior to ours.....and just so I am clear you only cheer for Ireland when they are in a drinking contest? With all do respect knowing you Italian geography does not make you italian.

This desire to be attached to another country is a weakness of our nation and one I wish would stop.

Slàinte & Alla Salute

No I'm Italian because I have an Italian mother, eat Italian food (just finished some homemade Calzone), have Italian aunts and uncles who live in Chieti, Italy, call all of my aunts, uncles, and grandparents, Zia, Zio and Nonna and Nonno.

I don't eat Italian food at restaurants because I don't need to. I eat at real Italian places sometimes like Lina's because they are all Italian and know how to cater to Italians. I don't say I'm Italian by eating at Chianti's.

Like I said I have less Irish heritage. I know a little about my Irish family, but most of all I have an Irish last name, that makes me Irish. Most other people hear Irish and think drinking/drunk ahole so that is how most people identify me with when they hear I'm of Irish descent.

I consider myself a Canadian who is of Irish/Italian descent, and find it extremely offensive, actually more hilarious that you'd say either of those two countries are inferior to Canada. Don't get me wrong, it is great here, but we don't hold a flame to their art, culture, food, drink etc. We are more tolerant and have higher standards of living (barely) which I appreciate but not "better".

[cKy]

Aslong as Spike Lee and Kanye West keep their mouth shut, they can call themselves whatever they want.

Does this forum have any "those people" from the Southern USA? I would imagine their view of this and the "Canadian" view is completely different. The few black friends I have all prefered to be called "Steve, John, Fred" .. you know, there F'n names.

I'm not a racist, but I am not polictally correct either, but seriously, why must we label everything.

My brother has a 4 Leaf Clover mixed with a Canadian Flag tattoo on his forearm - He has never been to Ireland, and he is only %30 Irish - I dont see no Swedish Flag on his F'n Arm.

...... dammit, I knew I shouldnt of read this thread.

[ok, ok,....I get it]

Originally Posted by flip

I consider myself a Canadian who is of Irish/Italian descent, and find it extremely offensive, actually more hilarious that you'd say either of those two countries are inferior to Canada. Don't get me wrong, it is great here, but we don't hold a flame to their art, culture, food, drink etc. We are more tolerant and have higher standards of living (barely) which I appreciate but not "better".

opinions...........everyone has them.....I have been to both Ireland and Italy......that is what I am basing my opinion on.

I think you sell Canada short on it's accomplishments.

[Daradon]

I think it's wrong to say one country is inferior to any other. Maybe even bordering on racist.

You may prefer it one place or another, but how can you actually make a judgment like that? A country is made up of it's people, you're saying certain nations and certain people are below or worse than others?

[Boblobla]

This may or may not be crossing a line...



the answer is 'nagger'

racist.