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Sweets13
Bella Bambini
Member since 5/05 9300 total posts
Name:
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Re: Spin off to the Jessica Alba topic on the celeb board
I was born here....my parents were born in Italy
I am 1st generation Itlalian~
When someone says" what are you"? I know they mean nationality so I answer "Italian"
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Posted 6/18/07 4:38 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
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Ophelia
she's baaccckkkk ;)
Member since 5/06 23378 total posts
Name:
remember, when Gulliver traveled....
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Re: Spin off to the Jessica Alba topic on the celeb board
some people even differentiale regionally in other countries...
look at Theresa05..she said Sicilian...which as we all know, is part of the country of Italy...
and people in the Catalan region of Spain call themsevles Catalunian (sp) not "spanish"
people for the most part, identify with culture.
the midwest is HIGHLY influenced by german immigrants (especially the upper midwest) they may say they are American, but their customs and traditions are deeply rooted in Germanys'...what does that say about being "american"
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| Posted 6/18/07 4:41 PM |
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Beth
The Key to your new home....
Member since 2/06 24849 total posts
Name:
Beth
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Re: Spin off to the Jessica Alba topic on the celeb board
...what does that say about being "american"
I thought America was suppose to be a melting pot- so if someone says they are American- I would think they were a mix of things-
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| Posted 6/18/07 4:44 PM |
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chikita315
Love
Member since 8/06 7945 total posts
Name:
M-lo
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Re: Spin off to the Jessica Alba topic on the celeb board
Maybe we should say we are United Statesian??
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| Posted 6/18/07 4:45 PM |
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Ophelia
she's baaccckkkk ;)
Member since 5/06 23378 total posts
Name:
remember, when Gulliver traveled....
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Re: Spin off to the Jessica Alba topic on the celeb board
Posted by Beth1210
...what does that say about being "american"
I thought America was suppose to be a melting pot- so if someone says they are American- I would think they were a mix of things-
but a mix of what? when you make soup, do you know what the ingedients are? do you enjoy each piece as much as the whole dish? do they not complement and add flavor....why should they not be acknowleged?
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| Posted 6/18/07 4:47 PM |
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Nicole728
My Happy Girl
Member since 7/06 8198 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Spin off to the Jessica Alba topic on the celeb board
I'm an Italian American...I was born here. however my Grandparents are from Italy and Sicily
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| Posted 6/18/07 4:48 PM |
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BabyAvocado
Happy New Year
Member since 5/05 17334 total posts
Name:
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Re: Spin off to the Jessica Alba topic on the celeb board
Posted by Beth1210
but what is so wrong with just wanting to be American?
Nothing at all. I just don't think it's really possible yet. Like Ophelia said on the celeb board, this country is just too young. Everything here is borrowed and adapted from another culture. I'm sure in time we will create our own customs and traditions but right now, besides one, they are all adapted from elsewhere.
I also don't understand how we can think that because our ancestors marched into a country, wiped out most of the natives, then declared it their own - that we earned the right to call ourselves Americans. Basically, our ancestors killed most of the real Americans. It's actually kind of obnoxious of us to call ourselves Americans in light of that.
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| Posted 6/18/07 4:48 PM |
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Ophelia
she's baaccckkkk ;)
Member since 5/06 23378 total posts
Name:
remember, when Gulliver traveled....
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Re: Spin off to the Jessica Alba topic on the celeb board
Posted by BabyAvocado
Posted by Beth1210
but what is so wrong with just wanting to be American?
Nothing at all. I just don't think it's really possible yet. Like Ophelia said on the celeb board, this country is just too young. Everything here is borrowed and adapted from another culture. I'm sure in time we will create our own customs and traditions but right now, besides one, they are all adapted from elsewhere.
I also don't understand how we can think that because our ancestors marched into a country, wiped out most of the natives, then declared it their own - that we earned the right to call ourselves Americans. Basically, our ancestors killed most of the real Americans. It's actually kind of obnoxious of us to call ourselves Americans in light of that.
I again, thank you.
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| Posted 6/18/07 4:49 PM |
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alnem
This is gonna be a good year!
Member since 2/06 9562 total posts
Name:
Emily
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Re: Spin off to the Jessica Alba topic on the celeb board
yea, on a side note. i was at an asian market the other day and there was a woman having an argument with one of the employees (asian woman). this lady started screaming and cursing saying "you people dont even speak english, you're not americans, you arent even from this country!!!!"...so when she walked by me i went "well you dont look like an american indian to me, so guess what, you're not from this country either".  that shut her up and the people around started laughing at her.
some people are so dense...
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| Posted 6/18/07 4:49 PM |
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eroxgirl
My Loves
Member since 5/05 15697 total posts
Name:
Rebecca
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Re: Spin off to the Jessica Alba topic on the celeb board
I always heard that when you are third generation, that is considered to be "American." Being 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th all at the same time and even that being spread across 7 different countries, I'm American.
Yes, the Native Americans were here first and I know lots of people believe that you can't say you're american if you're not a native american... but the Armenians were run out of Armenia and scattered across Europe. Some of them landed in Ireland and are my ancesters - when you search back through 500 years in history. Does that mean that my Irish family in Ireland isn't Irish? NO. Or is my family in Australia not really Australian because even though they were part of the original settlers (yeah, they were banished criminals) were originally English/Scottish/Irish?
Throughout history places get invaded, societies disappear and get swallowed up by the victors of the battle. Eventually they meld together. Once upon a time Latin America wasn't Latin at all, but new cultures were formed... Canadians call themselves Canadian and speak French (or English) but weren't they native canadians (or native americans) before the French and English took over?
I have no one culture to look to because I'm a mutt, so I like to say I'm American because that's where I live. That's where I was born. That's where my children will be born and that's the society I'm a part of. I think that makes me an American.
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| Posted 6/18/07 4:50 PM |
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Beth
The Key to your new home....
Member since 2/06 24849 total posts
Name:
Beth
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Re: Spin off to the Jessica Alba topic on the celeb board
Posted by Ophelia
Posted by Beth1210
...what does that say about being "american"
I thought America was suppose to be a melting pot- so if someone says they are American- I would think they were a mix of things-
but a mix of what? when you make soup, do you know what the ingedients are? do you enjoy each piece as much as the whole dish? do they not complement and add flavor....why should they not be acknowleged?
I can be acknowleged if you like- but what's wrong with just saying you are American?
if it's gets to the point where a person is so many different things- what is so bad about just ackowleging where you were born?
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| Posted 6/18/07 4:50 PM |
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Tany
Becoming a different woman
Member since 5/05 24460 total posts
Name:
Tania
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Re: Spin off to the Jessica Alba topic on the celeb board
Posted by alnem
yea, on a side note. i was at an asian market the other day and there was a woman having an argument with one of the employees (asian woman). this lady started screaming and cursing saying "you people dont even speak english, you're not americans, you arent even from this country!!!!"...so when she walked by me i went "well you dont look like an american indian to me, so guess what, you're not from this country either". that shut her up and the people around started laughing at her.
some people are so dense...
you go girl.
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| Posted 6/18/07 4:51 PM |
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eroxgirl
My Loves
Member since 5/05 15697 total posts
Name:
Rebecca
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Re: Spin off to the Jessica Alba topic on the celeb board
Posted by Beth1210
if it's gets to the point where a person is so many different things- what is so bad about just ackowleging where you were born?
My point exactly. And, I am that person!
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| Posted 6/18/07 4:51 PM |
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Ophelia
she's baaccckkkk ;)
Member since 5/06 23378 total posts
Name:
remember, when Gulliver traveled....
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Re: Spin off to the Jessica Alba topic on the celeb board
It should also be noted that just b/c you give your ancestry when asked "where" you are from, it doesn't mean you have any less pride, love, or respect for your country.
the same with saying "i am 100% American. if you don't do sh1t for your country, what difference does it make what you say.
if you ask my brother what he is, he'll say Italian, Puerto Rican and Norwegian (hot mix, right ) BUT he is EXTREMELY proud to have been born in this country. so much so, he joined the Marine Corps and served 2 tours of duty in Iraq. he is amercian by birth, a child of the world by blood and custom.
ain't nothing wrong with it.
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| Posted 6/18/07 4:53 PM |
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MichelleR
my Becks
Member since 5/05 1772 total posts
Name:
tracyg
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Re: Spin off to the Jessica Alba topic on the celeb board
Posted by eroxgirl
Posted by Beth1210
if it's gets to the point where a person is so many different things- what is so bad about just ackowleging where you were born?
My point exactly. And, I am that person!
because usually the person asking what your background is wants to know your heritage. You can tell them American, but they probably want to know more than that.
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| Posted 6/18/07 4:54 PM |
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pmpkn087
Life is good...
Member since 9/05 18504 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
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Re: Spin off to the Jessica Alba topic on the celeb board
Posted by Ophelia
Posted by Beth1210
...what does that say about being "american"
I thought America was suppose to be a melting pot- so if someone says they are American- I would think they were a mix of things-
but a mix of what? when you make soup, do you know what the ingedients are? do you enjoy each piece as much as the whole dish? do they not complement and add flavor....why should they not be acknowleged?
So then what do you propose people whose ancestors have been here for hundreds of years call themselves?
Does this make you happy:
I am a German-Sweedish-Hungarian-Polish-Irish-English-Welsh-Native American-American?
I just don't understand why I people feel that I HAVE to say I am all of those things when I really don't identify with any of them. 
It is not as if I am ashamed, I just think that if I went to Germany right now and said I am German, they would laugh at me. They would be insulted that I am calling myself a German, when in fact, I am not.
To call myself anything but American would be untrue.
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| Posted 6/18/07 4:55 PM |
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Hi-Fi55
12 years...wow....
Member since 2/06 2984 total posts
Name:
Dianne
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Re: Spin off to the Jessica Alba topic on the celeb board
If you can only call yourself "American" if you are Native American than why do you call yourself Italian, German, Irish, Mexican, etc. if you weren't born there? 
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| Posted 6/18/07 4:55 PM |
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july06bride
I'm a mom!
Member since 5/05 3966 total posts
Name:
Nicole
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Re: Spin off to the Jessica Alba topic on the celeb board
I consider myself American-Italian. I was born in the US and my parents were as well, my grandparents were born in Italy...Most of the time when people ask those kinds of questions, they are referring to your nationality- and I would say I am Italian.
My Dh was born and raised in Ecuador- he considers himself Ecuadorian...Although he has been here a long time and is an American Citizen
Message edited 6/18/2007 5:11:20 PM.
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| Posted 6/18/07 4:55 PM |
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eroxgirl
My Loves
Member since 5/05 15697 total posts
Name:
Rebecca
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Re: Spin off to the Jessica Alba topic on the celeb board
Posted by MichelleR
Posted by eroxgirl
Posted by Beth1210
if it's gets to the point where a person is so many different things- what is so bad about just ackowleging where you were born?
My point exactly. And, I am that person!
because usually the person asking what your background is wants to know your heritage. You can tell them American, but they probably want to know more than that.
It will get to the point, at least in my family, where they won't even know the answer to that question anymore. One of my great-grandfather's was born in Montana. Not sure where he came from before that.
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| Posted 6/18/07 4:55 PM |
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alnem
This is gonna be a good year!
Member since 2/06 9562 total posts
Name:
Emily
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Re: Spin off to the Jessica Alba topic on the celeb board
on another side note....when someone asks me where i'm from, my immediate response is always "in the world? or on long island?" you can tell by looking at my face that i'm a foreigner, so i need them to be more specific with the question!
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| Posted 6/18/07 4:56 PM |
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MichelleR
my Becks
Member since 5/05 1772 total posts
Name:
tracyg
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Re: Spin off to the Jessica Alba topic on the celeb board
Posted by pmpkn087
Posted by Ophelia
Posted by Beth1210
...what does that say about being "american"
I thought America was suppose to be a melting pot- so if someone says they are American- I would think they were a mix of things-
but a mix of what? when you make soup, do you know what the ingedients are? do you enjoy each piece as much as the whole dish? do they not complement and add flavor....why should they not be acknowleged?
So then what do you propose people whose ancestors have been here for hundreds of years call themselves?
Does this make you happy:
I am a German-Sweedish-Hungarian-Polish-Irish-English-Welsh-Native American-American?
I just don't understand why I people feel that I HAVE to say I am all of those things when I really don't identify with any of them.
It is not as if I am ashamed, I just think that if I went to Germany right now and said I am German, they would laugh at me. They would be insulted that I am calling myself a German, when in fact, I am not.
To call myself anything but American would be untrue.
But someone asking you the question if you were in Germany is different from someone HERE asking you what your background is.
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| Posted 6/18/07 4:56 PM |
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Ophelia
she's baaccckkkk ;)
Member since 5/06 23378 total posts
Name:
remember, when Gulliver traveled....
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Re: Spin off to the Jessica Alba topic on the celeb board
Posted by Beth1210
I can be acknowleged if you like- but what's wrong with just saying you are American?
if it's gets to the point where a person is so many different things- what is so bad about just ackowleging where you were born?
there is nothing wrong with anything.
and people can say whatever they want.
what people do and what reality is are not always one and the same.
this country and it's ethnic make up cannot be compared to any other country in the world. no other country was build on immigrants from more nations that this one. it's a simple fact. the USA does not have it's own distinct culture YET. will it in the future, I don't know.
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| Posted 6/18/07 4:58 PM |
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lilacwine
only love...
Member since 5/05 2034 total posts
Name:
<3
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Re: Spin off to the Jessica Alba topic on the celeb board
I always described myself as Irish...until I went to Ireland and saw, first-hand, just how American I am.
My face, my name, my pale skin all scream Irish, but it's just a shell for my American being.
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| Posted 6/18/07 4:58 PM |
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MichelleR
my Becks
Member since 5/05 1772 total posts
Name:
tracyg
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Re: Spin off to the Jessica Alba topic on the celeb board
Posted by eroxgirl
Posted by MichelleR
Posted by eroxgirl
Posted by Beth1210
if it's gets to the point where a person is so many different things- what is so bad about just ackowleging where you were born?
My point exactly. And, I am that person!
because usually the person asking what your background is wants to know your heritage. You can tell them American, but they probably want to know more than that.
It will get to the point, at least in my family, where they won't even know the answer to that question anymore. One of my great-grandfather's was born in Montana. Not sure where he came from before that.
Thats why I think genealogy is very important. I asked my grandfather where we were from he said Tennessee. So I did some research and found out we have been in TN for hundreds of years, but I was able to find out where we were from before that. And it kind of helped me see where my family came from. It helped me feel closer to my roots. But that's just how I feel.
Message edited 6/18/2007 4:59:17 PM.
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| Posted 6/18/07 4:58 PM |
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pmpkn087
Life is good...
Member since 9/05 18504 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
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Re: Spin off to the Jessica Alba topic on the celeb board
Posted by MichelleR
Posted by pmpkn087
Posted by Ophelia
Posted by Beth1210
...what does that say about being "american"
I thought America was suppose to be a melting pot- so if someone says they are American- I would think they were a mix of things-
but a mix of what? when you make soup, do you know what the ingedients are? do you enjoy each piece as much as the whole dish? do they not complement and add flavor....why should they not be acknowleged?
So then what do you propose people whose ancestors have been here for hundreds of years call themselves?
Does this make you happy:
I am a German-Sweedish-Hungarian-Polish-Irish-English-Welsh-Native American-American?
I just don't understand why I people feel that I HAVE to say I am all of those things when I really don't identify with any of them.
It is not as if I am ashamed, I just think that if I went to Germany right now and said I am German, they would laugh at me. They would be insulted that I am calling myself a German, when in fact, I am not.
To call myself anything but American would be untrue.
But someone asking you the question if you were in Germany is different from someone HERE asking you what your background is.
But people don't ask for your background. They ask for your nationality. They can't accept American as a nationality. And, furthermore, if they ask for my ethnicity, what am I to say? Go through the whole spiel?
Why do people always feel the need to know? why can't people just be. Whey do they need an ethnicity attached to them?
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| Posted 6/18/07 5:00 PM |
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