I Don't Know my Nationality

[Today]

Link to original post: [drupal=3541]I Don't Know my Nationality[/drupal]





Heyo, guys! So I was answering a question on another forum and one of the mini questions were, "What is your nationality?"

I'm black and I pondered this for a moment. I thought African America, however that doesn't make any sense. I'm not from Africa. I was born here in America.
So I thought it over and researched a bit. It makes sense if I just put American. But at the same time I'm afraid that if I do that people will assume I'm white, but other than that I don't know what else to put.

 

[Mizu Moonchild]

I have the same problem x.x

 

[Эикельманн [РУС]]

What's your last name?

You can trace your roots from that. Your nationality would mean where you were born/your heritage.

You're an American with ________ roots.

Link to original post: [drupal=3541]I Don't Know my Nationality[/drupal]





people will assume I'm white,

I hope you're kidding.

 

[Today]

No. Of course not.

I'm American. However, I posted American people thought I'm white. Which is why I'm in this predicament. I should freely be able to post American without having to explain myself.

I'm pretty sure nationality is just where you were born in and not just heritage. At least, this is the first time I've heard of that.

So I can't say American, but I have to say American with root x?

 

[Glöwworm]

So I can't say American, but I have to say American with root x?

Unfortunately

But there's nothing wrong if people think you're white. Let people think what they want to think. If somebody asks, then feel free to explain your situation.

 

[GunmasterLombardi]

If you were born in America then you are an American, but if your ancestry is from Africa, that counts too.

African American. Simple...

 

[DtJ Hilt]

If you were born in America then you are an American, but if your ancestry is from Africa, that counts too.

African American. Simple...

No, Nationality and Racial Ethnicity are two completely different things.

 

[Today]

^ This. African American makes no sense.

 

[Jam Stunna]

It's funny, I'm writing a short story right now about this very topic. Well, not exactly: the story deals more with ancestry than nationality.

I'm black, I just say I'm an American. Since that's usually not an option, I check off African American.

 

[GunmasterLombardi]

...what choice do you have?

People who assume you're white just by hearing "American" are dumb.

 

[Jim Morrison]

What does your passport/ID say?

 

[Super_Sonic8677]

YOU ARE A TOOOYYY American

If others think of you as white for putting American, that's their own ignorance. You're as much an American as anyone else.

I'd put whatever makes most sense to you.

 

[-_skinny_-]

^^^
Im an Italian, 100% (or extremely close to 100%) born in Italy. That is my heritage. My nationality is German/Swedish because that is what i feel comfortable calling myself. I visited Germany once when i was young and i was struck by its beauty. I am not sure why but i don't feel comfortable being in America (maybe because it is corrupt :0) or even saying i am American/Italian... Does that make any sense at all?

 

[The Cunning Weasel]

Say black American.

 

[Ganonsburg]

Unless you, your parents, or your grandparents were born in Africa, you're just straight up American (as far as heritage goes). If not, but you know your family came from Africa (may sound stupid because most people think that all black people come from Africa or have origins there, but there are other groups such as the Aborigines), then you can say American with African roots.

But if you're simply talking nationality, you're just American. I wish they had a more specific term for the US, because American could easily refer to anyone in North or South America.

 

[Jim Morrison]

United Statian.

Enough said.

 

[Sucumbio]

I'm black and I pondered this for a moment. I thought African America, however that doesn't make any sense. I'm not from Africa. I was born here in America.

Very interesting you should mention that it made no sense. Normally one would research the meaning of the thing that's confusing (and I mean no offense in this, but its impossible to say that without sounding snarky ). As is implied the term "African American" would of course sound as if it means an American from Africa. However, this term is synonymous with Black American, and formally American Negro. -source

Your confusion is not unique among younger generations of blacks. Most Americans who are black, though still being descendant from slaves, rarely if ever identify themselves as such. The last real generation to do so would be those in the 60's and 70's. Since the emergence of newer generations, this identification has shifted, mainly due to the fact that equal rights are far more prevalent, almost taken for granted.

All this said, you are African American, by default, but you may not identify yourself as that. I would expect as your generation, and subsequent generations emerge, you will more than likely move away from this identification, and may even opt to have none other than American, which would be ideal.

Ever see Dragon, the Bruce Lee Story? Great line from this movie: "Well you may be an American Citizen, but you're not an American." This was said by his soon to be mother-in-law to him when he tried to argue on his behalf that he was just as American as she. It is unfortunate that "American" and "white" are also basically synonymous. It's so inaccurate yet totally acceptable in ways of thinking amongst so many people. But again, your very attitude, your questioning of this motif of "African American" is at the heart of why that prejudice will eventually be broken.

 

[El Nino]

I think your nationality is American. African-American, I think, is an ethnicity? Negroid is a race.

It's an interesting point to bring up because there are immigrants from countries in Africa living in the US, and they and their descendants would probably be more appropriately identified as African-American than people whose families have been in the country for generations. It would also be a misrepresentation to lump all of those parties together.

Culturally, Black Americans are probably more like Americans than they would be like African immigrants. At least, a coworker of mine swears she can't date African guys because their way of thinking is too different from hers.

 

[-_skinny_-]

^^^
................ ???

I don't get that last part, how can she say that if she didn't meet every African person alive?

 

[El Nino]

^^^
................ ???

I don't get that last part, how can she say that if she didn't meet every African person alive?

Haha, I know. It's a generalization. I think she's dated a few guys, but they were too traditional for her. Like, they wanted her to stay home and have kids.

I'm sure not every guy off the continent of Africa is like that, but I guess she has an easier time with Americans. (Though judging by some of the phone conversations we get to overhear, even that's not smooth sailing.)