This is a post about a political topic, and I don't think
the changes I'm suggesting will happen. Also, my opinion likely wont be changed
by your angry comment.
I’m just publishing this cause I think it’s an interesting
idea.

Thank you.
Here we go!
Here's something that bugs me about the United States. Every
American has 'titles' that go along with their identity.
African American.
Asian American.
Latin American.
Native American.
And so on.
I want to start by saying that I don’t think these labels
are bad. I think an amazing part of America is the different cultures that make
up the States. I think labels allows us to embrace our heritage and helps us
remember where we came from.
Here’s where I do have a problem, though, and would like to
see a change that will never happen:
White people.
I’ve never been called ‘white American’ or ‘Caucasian
American.’
I have, however, been called ‘American.’
And it’s true. I’m absolutely an American, and my identity
certainly lays heavily on being American. I was born here, as were my parents,
grandparents and great grandparents.
And before that? They came from Europe.
But I’m not a Caucasian, white or European American. I’m
just American.
And that bugs me.
Why?
One reason is because it makes us forget where we came from!
I think it's dope that I’m descendants of (mostly) Belgian
and British immigrants (I’m still very much a European mutt)! I’ve had the
opportunity to go to those countries, and I loved it! I love being able to say
that my ancestors came from those countries! They survived the plague!
And they were all super poor peasant folk, so I’m pretty sure
they didn’t participate in the colonization of Africa! . . . right? Right?

It also gives us more of a sense of identity. I cannot tell
you how at-home I felt when I went to Utah's Scottish Festival (despite my
little-to-no Scottish blood). I was around others who came from the same place,
struggled with the same pale-skin issues, and shared so much of the same
culture!


That’s just how our culture is. We’re American’s. They’re
African American, Asian American, [ethnicity] American. But we’re Americans.
Why is that?
I don’t know. I don’t know how this started, or why it is
the way that it is. I just think it’d be cool if it was different.

What I’d love to see happen is for white Americans to start
referring themselves as/being referred to as European American. (Or Caucasian
American. Did you know Caucasian literally means ‘of European descent’? I had
no idea until today!)
I believe doing this would help us be more accepting of
others, welcoming of different cultures, and – in an ideal world – maybe even
cut back racism.
Now because I have overly-sensitive white friends who
probably have their panties up in a wad over this post, I want to make this
clear:
There is nothing wrong with being white.
There is nothing wrong with embracing your
Irish/British/Scottish/German/French/Belgian/Russian Heritage.
There is something wrong when you forget you’re a descendant
of immigrants.
There is something wrong when you judge someone else for
being an immigrant/descendant of an immigrant, when you yourself are one.
We can't get rid of these labels. And to be honest, I think
it would be sad if we got rid of these labels. I think these labels are a good
way to embrace, honor and remember our ancestors. They help us uphold
traditions and remember where we came from.
I guess, the point I’m trying to get across here . . . or my
thesis statement . . . is this: White Americans are European Mutts and should
be referred to as European Americans. (Or Caucasian Americans. I don’t know,
for some reason, I just like the word European more than the word
Caucasian.)
Also!
I do think there's one ethnic label we should get rid of,
and that's Native American.
They are the only ones deserving of the title of just
"American." Because they're Americans! Like, they’re the Americans.
And they’re wayyy more American than us European mutts are ever gonna be!
And as for those saying, “Hey but what about the fact that
I’m 3% African/Cherokee! That makes me ethnic!”

Oh, shut up. I'm 7 percent Irish and don't even claim to be
Irish.

You’re white, and you probably only have that percentage
cause one of your ancestors slept with a slave who didn't even want to be slept
with.

And that's what I'd love to see happen in the world, and am
sure it wont.

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