Why do we call the US America?

UofMfan · 02-18-2010, 05:53 PM

Since the arrogance and ignorance started way before our time:

"The former British colonies first used the country's modern name in the Declaration of Independence, the "unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America" " ~ Wikepedia

You can call yourselves anything you want. Most of us who have traveled and have been exposed to other cultures will call you "Estadunidenses", or Gringos when you piss us off.

Toughy · 02-18-2010, 06:08 PM

it is Olympic Games time..............and the chant that is always heard at the Olympics and any other international sporting event is U S A .

I try to never ever never say American(s) when referring to citizens of the United States of America. I'm sure somewhere on the net I will have said Americans. My default language is the 'US' or 'folks from the US'.

When I was an expat, I always said I was from the 'US' or 'the States'. For those that don't know, I lived in New Zealand for a year back in 2002-2003.

Random · 02-18-2010, 07:19 PM

I say..

American from the US...

For me.. American doesn't belong just to the USA..

But lingustily.. USAian.. just doesn't flow off the tongue..

HeartBreak Kid · 02-18-2010, 08:03 PM

So here is *MY answer.................... the "logical" reason to *me is.......

The United States is refered to as "America" becuase it is a singular country....It is my experience when talking to those from South America, Or Central America "they" have Identified themselves by their Country of Origin...then as a point of Geographical reference will say Central, or South....

However, if I am asked where Im from in an international forum I say the US....but I have also been known to refer to MYSELF* as an American......on a side note I Identify as a NEW YORKER.....and thats a WHOLE 'nother thread......

Enchantress · 02-18-2010, 08:21 PM

Our fore fathers coined the term "Americans" in our Declaration of Independence. Hence, we (Northern Americans) identify with this term. Obviously, we are not the only Americans. There is South American and Central American as well.

To say that citizens of the United States are egotistical or entitled because they call themselves Americans, is, I believe, incorrect. Instead we are proud, we are compassionate and we are (I like to think) welcoming.

I am North American. Let's say you're Columbian (or Brazilian just for fun), then, obviously, you (used universally of course) would be South American. ; )

I don't believe that there is going to be any sort of major movement any time soon to change the use of this term, and really, why should there be? What is really important is that everyone realize that there are others who are of the Americas as well and have the right to identify as such (obviously sans the US Citizen part).

UofMfan · 02-18-2010, 08:40 PM

Ms. Enchantress, I personally don't know any Columbians....but I have heard they are easily mistaken for Brazilians : )

I don't believe there is going to be a movement or any kind. I mean, we are dealing with the same arrogance and entitlement of those who ran American Indians from their own land, so why expect any changes?

Edited to say that I do know some Colombians though.

Enchantress · 02-18-2010, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UofMfan

Ms. Enchantress, I personally don't know any Columbians....but I have heard they are easily mistaken for Brazilians : )

I don't believe there is going to be a movement or any kind. I mean, we are dealing with the same arrogance and entitlement of those who ran American Indians from their own land, so why expect any changes?

Edited to say that I do know some Colombians though.

Aye dios mio. Here we go.. : )

Enchantress · 02-18-2010, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UofMfan

Ms. Enchantress, I personally don't know any Columbians....but I have heard they are easily mistaken for Brazilians : )

I don't believe there is going to be a movement or any kind. I mean, we are dealing with the same arrogance and entitlement of those who ran American Indians from their own land, so why expect any changes?

Edited to say that I do know some Colombians though.

Why should we, generations later, be held responsible for this act? What makes us (Northern Americans of the now) so arrogant and entitled? Let's face it, there are people of all different backgrounds, countries and such that feel they are entitled and treat others with arrogance. So, I believe that you're simply generalizing at this point. No?

Selenay · 02-18-2010, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UofMfan

Ms. Enchantress, I personally don't know any Columbians....but I have heard they are easily mistaken for Brazilians : )

Omg i heard jews have horns like the devil

Enchantress · 02-18-2010, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UofMfan

Most of us who have traveled and have been exposed to other cultures will call you "Estadunidenses", or Gringos when you piss us off.

Tsk, tsk, tsk. ; )

UofMfan · 02-18-2010, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enchantress

Tsk, tsk, tsk. ; )

¿Qué? : )

02-18-2010, 06:08 PM	#2
Toughy Senior Member How Do You Identify?: pervert butch feminist woman Preferred Pronoun?: see above Relationship Status: independent entity Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Oakland Posts: 1,826 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,068 Thanked 7,653 Times in 1,522 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	it is Olympic Games time..............and the chant that is always heard at the Olympics and any other international sporting event is U S A . I try to never ever never say American(s) when referring to citizens of the United States of America. I'm sure somewhere on the net I will have said Americans. My default language is the 'US' or 'folks from the US'. When I was an expat, I always said I was from the 'US' or 'the States'. For those that don't know, I lived in New Zealand for a year back in 2002-2003. __________________ We are everywhere We are different I do not care if resistance is futile I will not assimilate www.butchfemmesocials.com/

02-18-2010, 07:19 PM	#3
Random Senior Member How Do You Identify?: femme Relationship Status: Married Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: back in the land of trees and snow Posts: 2,072 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 8,017 Thanked 5,327 Times in 1,378 Posts Rep Power: 21474854	I say.. American from the US... For me.. American doesn't belong just to the USA.. But lingustily.. USAian.. just doesn't flow off the tongue.. __________________ ~Volunteer~ "It gets in your blood"

02-18-2010, 08:03 PM	#4
HeartBreak Kid Member How Do You Identify?: self Preferred Pronoun?: User formally Known as Tygerlily Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: my skin Posts: 372 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 260 Thanked 446 Times in 166 Posts Rep Power: 28	So here is MY answer.................... the "logical" reason to me is....... The United States is refered to as "America" becuase it is a singular country....It is my experience when talking to those from South America, Or Central America "they" have Identified themselves by their Country of Origin...then as a point of Geographical reference will say Central, or South.... However, if I am asked where Im from in an international forum I say the US....but I have also been known to refer to MYSELF* as an American......on a side note I Identify as a NEW YORKER.....and thats a WHOLE 'nother thread...... __________________ ~Beautiful, sobbing, high-geared fucking and then to lie silently like deer tracks in the freshly-fallen snow beside the one you love . That's All~ ~Richard Brautigan, "Deer Tracks"~ Peace and Love http://images5.cafepress.com/product...x480_Front.jpg "Pssssst.......your STEREOTYPES are showing".... ~StabbyK~

02-18-2010, 08:21 PM	#5
Enchantress Senior Member How Do You Identify?: A complex confection. Preferred Pronoun?: Miss Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: The land of milk and honey. Posts: 2,169 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 741 Thanked 3,420 Times in 1,200 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	The Americas Our fore fathers coined the term "Americans" in our Declaration of Independence. Hence, we (Northern Americans) identify with this term. Obviously, we are not the only Americans. There is South American and Central American as well. To say that citizens of the United States are egotistical or entitled because they call themselves Americans, is, I believe, incorrect. Instead we are proud, we are compassionate and we are (I like to think) welcoming. I am North American. Let's say you're Columbian (or Brazilian just for fun), then, obviously, you (used universally of course) would be South American. ; ) I don't believe that there is going to be any sort of major movement any time soon to change the use of this term, and really, why should there be? What is really important is that everyone realize that there are others who are of the Americas as well and have the right to identify as such (obviously sans the US Citizen part).

02-18-2010, 05:53 PM	#1
UofMfan Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Butch Relationship Status: A very happy Mr. Grumpy Cat Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Neither here or there Posts: 7,987 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 27,733 Thanked 18,937 Times in 4,705 Posts Rep Power: 21474859	Since the arrogance and ignorance started way before our time: "The former British colonies first used the country's modern name in the Declaration of Independence, the "unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America" " ~ Wikepedia You can call yourselves anything you want. Most of us who have traveled and have been exposed to other cultures will call you "Estadunidenses", or Gringos when you piss us off.

02-18-2010, 08:40 PM	#6
UofMfan Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Butch Relationship Status: A very happy Mr. Grumpy Cat Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Neither here or there Posts: 7,987 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 27,733 Thanked 18,937 Times in 4,705 Posts Rep Power: 21474859	Ms. Enchantress, I personally don't know any Columbians....but I have heard they are easily mistaken for Brazilians : ) I don't believe there is going to be a movement or any kind. I mean, we are dealing with the same arrogance and entitlement of those who ran American Indians from their own land, so why expect any changes? Edited to say that I do know some Colombians though.