Re: Spin off to the Jessica Alba topic on the celeb board

I'm Irish my parents came here with my 3 siblings in 1965. I have said that I'm American born but Irish raised. I have more family in Ireland then I do here.

Re: Spin off to the Jessica Alba topic on the celeb board

Posted by pmpkn087


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.

Message edited 6/19/2007 9:40:49 AM.

Re: Spin off to the Jessica Alba topic on the celeb board

Posted by Beth1210




my sister said she was Sicilian when she spent the summer in florence- and got called the N word

QUOTE]

Yes, I have heard this as well ....so ignorant

Re: Spin off to the Jessica Alba topic on the celeb board

I think of it this way.. If I was abroad and someone asked me what I was, I would say "American". I'm not a Native American but I am American. I think that when people hear "American", they know there's more to it since it is the world's melting pot.

I have Scandinavian, French and German blood in me. I'm not going to say that I'm Scandinavian, French and German because I don't represent those cultures. I don't speak the languages and I don't celebrate the holidays or events specific to that culture (well, maybe Oktoberfest! ). I haven't even been to those countries.

Re: Spin off to the Jessica Alba topic on the celeb board

My temper is certainly Spanish! My mother came from Cuba; my grandpa worked for the government under Batista...so when Castro came, their lives were in danger and they had to leave. My dad is Italian, but grew up here on the streets in the Bronx. I don't know. My identity is American...but I live and breathe so much of the traditions and customs my parents tought me.

Re: Spin off to the Jessica Alba topic on the celeb board

Posted by Tilde

Posted by Beth1210

Posted by curliegirl

Posted by Nicole728

I'm an Italian American...I was born here. however my Grandparents are from Italy and Sicily

THen actually you would be American-Italian.

I always wondered why some Sicilians say they are Italian and Sicilian, is Sicliy not part of Italy?

I am Sicilian and Napoletan and I say I am Italian........well American Italian.

I am not sure why- but the sicilians and the Neapoletans do not get along- so much so people looked at me like I was nuts when I was there- and gave that answer ( I am technically 25% of each- meet in brooklyn)

my sister said she was Sicilian when she spent the summer in florence- and got called the N word

so I think that might have something to do with why people from Sicily don't call themselves italians???????

The history of "mainland" Italy and Sicily is very diverse - Sicily is a much more Arab influenced region where "Italy" was more influenced by other European nations. Remember Italy only became "Italy" in the 40s! Before then each region spoke its own dialect and there was almost no sense of a nationallanguage

Sicilian ( what I speak) is NOTHING like Italian. . . I learned this the hard way in 7th grade italian class

Sicilians have always been ( and still are ) treated as second class citizens. . .we are the peasants, the farm workers, the day laborers. . . which obviously is just a stereotype today - but if you ask someone from the North what they would do if their child married a Sicilian. . . .most would be horrified ( I mean no disrespect by this. . .my grandmother was from Naples and had to run away to marry my Sicilian grandfather lol and she was from the South!)

So, I think that Sicilians today and especially Sicilian - Americans make an effort to "reclaim" their nationality and identity. . . instead of being ashamed of speaking Sicilian - I am trying to learn how to read and write it etc.

And as for the original question - If I am in America I say I am Sicilian ( first generation American ) if I am in Italy I say I am American ( although they usually guess that I am Sicilian first )

Message edited 6/19/2007 11:05:37 AM.

Re: Spin off to the Jessica Alba topic on the celeb board

On Staten Island, it seemed like you were either Italian or Irish. So my family is Irish. But I consider myself American. I have never been to Ireland.

I don't care what nationality people claim, what I do care about is when parents want their kids to marry inside that nationality. "Like can't you find an Italian or Irish guy."
"Why a white girl? What's wrong with Puerto Rican girls?"

I can't stand this. you live in a melting pot, time to melt. If you wanted him to marry Puerto Rican, you should have never moved from puerto rico..your chances slim down over here.

So, to me, claim whatever you want, but its the perserving pure blood lines that make me crazy. Irish are marrying Irish in Ireland. Italians are doing the same. I am sure by marrying another race, all of the race will still go on and populate.

Re: Spin off to the Jessica Alba topic on the celeb board

I identify myself as Irish...both my parents were born there and I have loads of family there

Re: Spin off to the Jessica Alba topic on the celeb board

I am 100% American.
My ancestors came from several villages throughout Italy