Quote:
Originally posted by PositivelyAKA:
i've often thought about this topic, it seems all Americans are from somewhere else initially and have settled here thus the term Japanese American/Irish American. BUT they bring over a culture and tradtions with them which is why they still say Irish/Italian then American.
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Not necessarily. Contrary to popular beliefs in this room, A-As are really the hardest nuts to crack. it only takes 2 or 3 generations for Italian, Irish, Chinese, Japanese-Americans to totally assimulate into the larger mainstream society. Italians in the US shy away from the traditional names and give there children American names. In fact, I remember a study of Mexican Americans that saids that by the 3rd generation, many of them have married outside of their ethnic group (mostly to whites) and no longer consider themselves to be Mexican Americans, but just Americans.
I think we don't give A-As enough credit. Even some of the most underprivelged Black youths will prefer to call themselves African over American anyday. ( I know because I work with them) Even the ones who cannot identify a sinlge African country would rather call Africa their "home" than the US.
The above example has far-reaching implications, but my basic point is that A-As are extremely resilient and resistant to change and especially assimilation.
We are the least resilient to marriage across racial lines, also.
But of course, with education, we can teach ALL Blacks to be proud of their heritage and optimistic about the future of the African continent.