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Politics : Sharks in the Septic Tank -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: one_less who wrote (41619)	12/25/2001 9:51:28 AM
From: Lane3	Respond to of 82486

When some one out side either group uses either of these terms it is demeaning, insulting, meant to inflict pain, and discriminatory. We were having a discussion about the confusing terminology for designating US citizens. In the course of that discussion, I offered an anecdote about when I first realized that the confusion is inherent to the names of our our country and continent. For some reason you want to turn that anecdote into a morality play. Am I missing something? Yes. What you're missing is that there is not a perfect label for US citizens. Because of the circumstances of the naming of our country and continent, we are forced to choose among imperfect terms to identify our citizens. "American" can be misinterpreted. "North American" can be misinterpreted. "Gringo" is not considered polite. I'd suggest "Yank" but some with historical roots in the Confederacy might take exception. Do you know of an alternative? My sense is that American is the most practical and accepted, albeit flawed, choice. For a North American to endorse such usage, seems like self recrimination and an open door to discrimination. Good grief! I didn't and don't "endorse such usage." I merely don't get all indignant or hysterical at the sound of the word. I may even use the word in abstract discussions about labels. If I hear it applied to me, I consider intent and context before reacting. And if I conclude that it was intended as an insult, I still may consider turning the other cheek, ignoring it, or laughing it off, if that best serves my overall interests. By golly, I must be one of those self-hating, pacifist traitors destined for the hall of shame. LOL. Karen