Text 32717, 63 rader
Skriven 2016-04-19 23:37:44 av Lee Lofaso (2:203/2)
  Kommentar till text 32681 av Jeff Smith (1:14/5)
Ärende: Australia vs. Oceania
=============================
Hello Jeff,

 JK>>>> There is no "correct".

 DD>>> Especially when it comes to the name used for the United States
 DD>>> of America.

 BF>> I think that we'll just have to agree that the hardcore USAians
 BF>> will never accept that America is anything but the USA no matter how
 BF>> hard we try to explain to them how arrogant and illogical that is.

 JS> It isn't arrogant to having grown up hearing the US being refered to as
 JS> America and it's citizens as Americans. Just as you claim the opposite
 JS> I have heard many, many people from other countries refer to us here as
 JS> Americans. Isn't it more a matter of you feeling the need to look for
 JS> things that you can be critical of regarding America?

Cajuns are referred to as Cajuns.  Not Cajun Americans or
Cajun-Americans.  Cajuns are an ethnic group, as designated
by the Bureau of the Census.  Not only that, but Cajuns were
here first, before there was a United States of America.

One can say the same thing about Sicilians or any other ethnic
group.  People identify themselves by their own ethnicity.  Not
so much geographic location.

Language defines a culture, not a geography.  Hispanics identify
themselves not by race, but by language.  Cajuns do the same.
Sure, there are other similarities within a group, but what is
dominant is language.

The southwestern part of the United States has a large percentage
of people who speak Spanish.  A majority of the population of New
Mexico fits into this category.  Within a generation, other states
might also be included.  Given the experience of Louisiana, I hope
the people of those states choose to retain their heritage by
continuing to speak their native tongue.

 JS> I respect your opinion Bjorn but that opinion doesn't represent the
opinion
 JS> of the masses.

Native Americans were given no say as to what to call themselves,
being forced to accept whatever others chose to call them.  I doubt
any of them were truly happy about that ...

 JS> Just as mine doesn't. Doesn't that tire you out trying to
 JS> speak for everyone else?

Cajuns were forced to speak a language that was not their own.
Cajuns were forced to do things that were contrary to their
culture and way of life.  Cajuns were forced to accept the
Americanization of everything they knew and loved, and told
by those who had come here from far away to sing "America the
Beautiful" as if it was the only song in the world.

I'd rather sing "Jolie Blonde" and other Cajun songs, and
have a nice fais do-do while at it.

--Lee

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