Why do you say African American but not Irish American?

Answer 1

For a long time in American society, it was perfectly fine to view anyone that wasn't Caucasian (white) as not being a "real" American and that was including Native Americans. As it goes, the titles were/are Native American, African American, Asian American, Hispanic American while whites are normally just Americans.

Now, as we move along in today's society, more are coming to terms that an American is an American it does not always need to be known what color that American may be or who their ancestors are. Many are choosing to go with simply American as they are, and sometimes will only make their background known when necessary.

Historically, society did use terms such as "Irish Americans", "Italian Americans", "Polish Americans" etc., as well as newspaper editors referring to ALL immigrants as "foreigners" (rather than by name). The history of this is important: Immigrants in the late 1800s and early 1900s often were recruited by coal mining companies and steel and glass factories through advertisements the companies placed in overseas newspapers. Immigrants responded, eager to come to this country knowing they had jobs waiting. Most were skilled or experienced in these industries in their home countries. But, English-speaking 4th, 5th, and 6th generation Americans resented that these workers were brought in at lower pay. These Americans "forgot" that their ancestors were also "immigrants" in the past. Immigrant workers from Ireland, Scotland, Germany, Italy, Prussia / Russia, and many other countries were treated as "second class citizens", especially if they did not speak English, continued with a strong accent, or had very "foreign" sounding last names.

Eventually, though, all the "foreigner" workers proved their abilities and became more "assimilated" in American Society. But, there were still tensions and dislike between "foreigners" and "Americans" through the 1960s in many cities and towns across the United States. Many immigrants chose to change or "Americanize" their names to fit in better; some took a completely different last name to remove themselves from obvious "foreign" surnames.

At the same time, from the time of slavery through the 1960s, black skinned persons were called various titles, often based on the darkness-lightness of their skin. "Negroe" and "Mullatto" (and slang names) were most prevalent through all of the 1800s. In the 1900s, more derogatory names were used in many towns/cities. In the 1960s, Civil Rights movements helped to establish the name "Blacks" as the new 'title' to be used for all persons of color. This title ignored many persons of mixed race (which includes the term "Mullatto" of previous times). "Blacks" desired a more inclusive term and one that included all persons of mixed or non-Caucasian races, and a term that especially recognized the unique situation of African peoples who were brought over from Africa as slaves. (Note: Not all black-skinned persons descend from African-American slaves. And with Immigration in the last 50 to 60 years of black-skinned individuals and families from Cuba and other countries, the term African American also does not accurately describe large populations of persons residing in or who are citizens of the United States.

In addition, Native Americans resented being called, collectively, as "Indians", feeling that term did not / does not accurately describe their ancestry. But, the term "Native American" became used to describe all persons who descend from all the different tribes.

So, the titles have evolved over time to include: Native American, African American, Asian American, Hispanic American, and Mexican American, while whites are normally just Caucasians (despite whether their white skin has any black DNA mixed in). Persons who "passed" as "White" in the 1800s and 1900s were also termed Caucasian and Americans, unless the person revealed he or she had mixed family heritage of a black and a white parent.

Uproar

Once again, however, various populations have begun to protest the "titles" that were either assigned by government or semi-agreed to in the past.

Some "Native American" tribes resent this label and would prefer that society recognizes the Tribe's original formal name. BUT, other Tribes prefer to keep the umbrella term that recognizes all Tribes as "Native Americans". However, ALL still dislike the term "Indians" that was widely used in movies to describe their people.

As well, some people recognized under the title "African Americans" question why they are seemingly being separated from other "Americans" by the use of "African" before "American". Some African Americans do not have the same reaction to this title, while others would like to see it be changed.

Now, in today's society, more are coming to terms that an American is diverse. Americans do not always need to be known by what color that American may be or what ancestral-DNA they carry. Many are choosing to go with simply American, which is what they are if they were born in this country or have taken the citizenship test, and sometimes will only make their background known when necessary.

HOWEVER, in most cultures, ancestry remains an important part of family heritage. All of the countries represented by people born in or accepted into being "Americans" will never be fully forgotten by the individual or their family. Many families will continue to use and to celebrate the traditions, values, beliefs, and even social holidays of their ancestral country.

America has always been, and will continue to be, one of the world's largest "melting pot" societies. Yet, our seemingly "separateness" and "uniqueness" of cultures can never diminish the pride of also being an "American". Peoples from more countries will continue to come, and will be "assimilated" as much on their own initiative as "assimilated" through acceptance of all the cultures that make up America.