Please DON’T take this as racist! My husband family is from Italy. 1 day during a discussion w/ African American co workers, I referred 2 him as an Italian American. Some seemed offended but didnt comment as to why. Did I make a mistake? What's ur take?

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• That is true... it is only here in the USA. And the funny thing is all but the Native Americans are from another country.

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  by robinhug on August 22nd, 2009

• Actually, I, offhand, cannot remember a friend of mine calling themselves "Asian American" and very few "Hispanic Americans." I am Rromani Gypsy and, when discussing my ethnicity, I say "Rromani Gypsy." Other than that, I say that I am an American.
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  I think that the hyphenated-American thing is divisive.

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  by Arisztid on August 24th, 2009

• True

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  by robinhug on August 24th, 2009

• Sad part of it, the minority groups didn't ask to be called by hyphenated names, it is a US state department policy. same as race, the US state department identifies race from specific countries, for instance, if you came from Egypt, you are classified by the US state department as "Caucasian" or white. however if you ever travel to Egypt, you will notice that the majority of them are very dark skinned, and if they had been born in the US, they would be called "African Americans"

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  by olan black on April 24th, 2010

• Not all minority groups. I guess we would be hyphenated officially if we had any political presence.

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  by Arisztid on April 24th, 2010

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• I have to agree with you on that one. Yeah, I might have Irish, German, Scottish, etc. relatives, but I was BORN in the USA. Hence I also refer to myself as simply "American". Whether or not that is a good thing is a matter of perspective of course lol

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  by veriria on August 18th, 2009

• I just don't see any wiggle room there. It's just another way to promote difference which is what fuels so many problems. Thanks for the comment.

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  by Thriftymaid on August 18th, 2009

• I do agree with you both! We were talking about cultures when I brought that up but normally I do not call my husband an Italian American lol I do say he is Italian but everyone knows he's American too!

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  by robinhug on August 18th, 2009

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• I hate to admit it but I did feel that was the insult... like taking something special away...But what really makes less sense is why they would even think I am racist when I am married to an Italian? Isnt the really racist people against all of the other cultures? I mean I have heard my husband called a "WOP"....
  
  +5 thank you

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  by robinhug on August 18th, 2009

• You're welcome. Sorry they took it the wrong way, there is just no pleasing people some times :)

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  by Merriment on August 19th, 2009

• i agree the "problem" was probably your using -American for anything but African-American.
  personally, i take offense at being call African-American, to me I'm An American, my skin color has nothing to do with my country. I may be Black, but the closest i have ever been to Africa was listening to Toto on the radio.
  basically the problem was on their end, you did noting wrong.

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  by zwatcher on August 20th, 2009

• Thanks! I do think your right... It was the initial "Italian-American that seemed to stiffen a few backs... but once I continued with my story which was based on Italian culture people seemed to relax... like it was ok then...The only other thing that I could think of was maybe at first they saw my wording as rubbing it in or something then realized I wasnt... I dont know but I just wish people would stop looking for insults where they are not...nobody should have to walk on eggs. Normally when I refer to people I just say person man woman... what ever I dont feel the need to add their race in there...

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  by robinhug on August 20th, 2009

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• lol I think they would have caught me by now! +5

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  by robinhug on August 18th, 2009

• OK robin 3 for being a good sport. I thought you were a closet racist. Maybe there was a miscomunication between you and your co-workers. Maybe they weren't offended at all and you read them wrong. Try to clear it up.

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  by evandad on August 18th, 2009

• Lol no I am far from racist... and it all went well besides the initial hiccup if you want to call it that… they relaxed after they heard me out…Oh and I have to mention a few did not take offence and we were very close…
  
  It was the initial mention of “Italian-American” that seemed to stiffen some backs… I felt like just adding another ethnic race in front of American was an insult to them…. And I cant understand why… I know its less common but even my husband deals with racism… he’s been called a WOP…
  
  If I was prejudice why would I marry someone obviously from another culture at all?

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  by robinhug on August 18th, 2009

• Shit. I hate this. I spologize.

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  by evandad on August 18th, 2009

• Dont worry about it! Actually your answer helped because I do think that the fact that I said "Italian American" Made a few think I was too... it's the only other thing I can think of! Thanks for your answer/comments,

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  by robinhug on August 19th, 2009

• I was put off by the intro - Please don't take this as racist. A lot of times a blatantly racist question will follow an intro like that. So I was ready to read racist into the rest of the content. The Italian-American reference didn't bother me. I'm glad you got it cleared up with your friends.

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  by evandad on August 19th, 2009

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• I have this very keen sense of intuition... unnaturally so…maybe you may want to call it astute… but I read body language VERY well. It was quick stiffening of the backs… indignant body and facial gestures. Fortunately for me, I am use to being astute and hiding or should I say pretending I didn’t notice unless it’s a situation that can not or should not be ignored. I also was able to ignore the quick indignations and continue with what I was planning on saying which was related to the Italian culture. At this point I intuitively knew most that at first took offence, relaxed obviously deciding I was not meaning to offend them…
  
  I just wish I knew why the mention of another ethnic-American was offensive to them to begin with. And thought maybe someone could fill me in…

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  by robinhug on August 18th, 2009

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• LOL now if I tried to serve "Franco-American" from the jar, my husband would be more than offended... oh and so would my mother in law! God forbid! lol +5

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  by robinhug on August 18th, 2009

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• They were fine after they heard me out because what I had to say which was pertaining to the Italian culture… it was when I first said “Italian American” I saw and felt a few backs stiffen.
  
  I didn’t ask and chose to act like I didn’t notice because they relaxed and everything was fine in the end. But I am just curious as to why mentioning another ethnic-American was upsetting to some of them at all...

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  by robinhug on August 18th, 2009

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• Thank you! Another +5 ;)

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  by robinhug on August 18th, 2009

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• Thank you... +5

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  by robinhug on August 18th, 2009