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”?
I’m English born, grew up in Australia, and I am now a naturalized Canadian. If someone said they were British I wouldn’t think they were referring to ethnicity. The US has a unique and unhealthy perspective on ethnicity and race. I hope that a naturalized immigrant to the UK would consider themselves British.
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.
From a french perspective, What you said about French being a naitonality and a ethnicity sounds pretty racist, like the kind of things that Le Pen thinks but doesn’t dare to say too loud. France bragg a lot about every french citizen is equal and fully french (well we do have racist cunt so it’s not fully true, but it’s not the thing people would claim in public)
Your concern seems strange to me.
Looking at “British” for example, you’re taking about four culturally diverse groups (English, Welsh, Scottish, and Irish). “Ethnically British” doesn’t really make sense.
That doesn’t even consider the multitude of people from everywhere around the world who are British and perfectly comfortable identifying as such.
Bro you ask a lot of question about your national versus ethnic identity. You’re the guy who hates China but are Chinese, likes America but is afraid to protest right? You can be whatever you want! There are plenty of Chinese-insert other country around the world, the 华侨 is holding strong ;)
Grammatically you’re _____ -American for one generation. After that you’re just American. Which makes African American super confusing and weird.
I naturalized to Canada and call myself Canadian.
TLDR: [Country] Citizen
Australian citizen for sure, but to say I am Australian would mean identification and full comprehension of its culture, which I don’t. I’ve been here for about 15 years and although my understanding of its culture has improved a lot, I don’t think I’ll ever come close to “getting” it like I get the culture of my country of birth.
In The Netherlands I’ve heard opinions ranging from “Every citizen is Dutch” to “You’re Dutch if you embrace our values” to “You’re Dutch if you speak Dutch at home”.
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
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.
Also you need to love licorice and sauna, that’s a rule
TIL I’m Finnish.
I toast a shot of Salmiakki to that.
Torilla tavataan
What about the Finnish genetic mission to destroy all alcohol in the world? By drinking it? /s
I love Finnish people and Finland.
Me too. Hard to hate on a people whose country has one of the most humane societies in the world.
On the /s, I somewhat unironically agree woth that more than the case of just obtaining citizenship
What about Nightwish, hockey, and hydraulic presses?
Those like Canada and clubbing baby seals. It’s fine if you do, fine if you don’t
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.
