I was born in Mainland China, and I feel comfortable using the term “American” to describe myself after I obtained US Citizenship. However if I were to become a citizen of the UK, or Germany, or France, I would not feel comfortable using the term British, German, or French to describe myself. Because those words are not just nationalities, but also ethnicities. Whereas there is no “American” ethnicity, so that’s why I don’t feel weird using the term. Same with “Canadian”, if I were to become a citizen of Canada.

So for people to naturalizes in countries whose demonym is also an ethnicity, do they calle themselves “British”, “German”, French", etc…? Or just “UK Citizen”, “German Citizen”, “French Citizen”?

  • hemko@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    0·
    9 days ago

    From my Finnish perspective, doesn’t matter. If you’re Finnish citizen, you’re a Finn.

    If you’re born abroad to Finnish parent(s), you’re a Finn. If you come from Zimbabwe and obtain Finnish citizenship, you’re a Finn.

    I think what matters the most is how you identify yourself. Maybe you want to identify yourself via your country of birth or where your ethnic roots are? You decide

    Also you need to love licorice and sauna, that’s a rule /s

    • Bassman1805@lemmy.world
      0·
      9 days ago

      I’ve only met two Finns in my life, but they both assured me that licorice and sauna were on the citizenship application so I don’t think the /s is necessary.

    • porter70000@lemm.eeEnglish
      0·
      9 days ago

      What about the Finnish genetic mission to destroy all alcohol in the world? By drinking it? /s

      I love Finnish people and Finland.

      • Pudutr0n@feddit.cl
        0·
        9 days ago

        Me too. Hard to hate on a people whose country has one of the most humane societies in the world.

    • Pudutr0n@feddit.cl
      0·
      9 days ago

      While what hue the people in your family tree are or where they banged shouldn’t affect how you define yourself and definitely doesn’t define who you are, it may convey information regarding cultural heritage.

      Race may not be a valid means to form any kind of opinion about anyone regarding value judgements, but it also doesn’t convey 0 information about their context either.

      For example if someone says they have 100% inuit ascendance does that mean nothing vs them saying their heritage is 100% british? Certain ways to see the world become more or less likely imo. Not because of their actual Race but because of the culture that tends to come with it. Just my opinion.