Racist Song?

[kuhio98]

I need your opinion. Does anyone remember "Kawliga"? The Country hit by Charlie Pride in the 60's or 70's?
First the lyrics and then the story.....

KAWLIGA WAS A WOODEN INDIAN, STANDING BY THE DOOR.
HE FELL IN LOVE WITH AN INDIAN MAID,
OVER IN THE ANTIQUE STORE.
KAWLIGA,
JUST STOOD THERE AND HE NEVER LET IT SHOW,
SO SHE COULD NEVER ANSWER "YES" OR "NO."

(CHORUS) POOR OLE KAWLIGA, HE NEVER GOT A KISS.
POOR OLE KAWLIGA, HE DON'T KNOW WHAT HE MISSED.
IS IT ANY WONDER THAT HIS FACE WAS RED,
KAWLIGA THAT POOR OLD WOODEN HEAD.

HE ALWAYS WORE HIS SUNDAY FEATHERS AND HELD A TOMAHAWK.
THE MAIDEN WORE HER BEADS AND BRAIDS,
AND HOPED SOMEDAY HE'D TALK.
KAWLIGA
JUST STOOD THERE AND HE NEVER SHOWED A SIGN,
BECAUSE HIS HEART WAS MADE OF KNOTTY PINE.

(CHORUS)

AND THEN ONE DAY A WEALTHY CUSTOMER
BOUGHT THE INDIAN MAID.
AND HE TOOK HER OH SO FAR AWAY,
BUT OLD KAWLIGA STAYED.
KAWLIGA
JUST STOOD THERE, HE NEVER LET IT SHOW.
SO SHE COULD NEVER ANSWER "YES" OR "NO.".

(CHORUS)

My sister has downloaded a bunch of songs onto an iPOD that they are giving to a co-worker who is soon retiring. He is a big country music fan. She took the iPOD to work and was listening to it (earphones) to make sure everything sounded okay. She was standing at the copier for about an hour or so and was evidentally singing out loud.

When she returned to her desk, she was summoned to the supervisor's office and was told that there was a complaint made against her singing "racist" songs and that she was to stop immediately.

Your opinion?

[Corinna]

Oh good greif have we gotten so petty in this world. I love that song never thought of it any thing but a love song.

[Cataholic]

Racist? I just don't see it. But, man, she must have REALLY been singing outloud.

[Lady's Human]

Racist? Not even close.

Maybe they were just miffed by the singing.... :eek: :D

[moosmom]

Perhaps they mistook what she was singing? I don't see anywhere that is racist.

[lizbud]

Oh good greif have we gotten so petty in this world. I love that song never thought of it any thing but a love song.


Thats what I thought too. Someone must have misunderstood the song
or some thing.It's not at all racist.It's about two wooden Indian statues
for heavens sake. :D

[jackie]

Haha, People are sooo careful of being politically correct these days.

It has turned into such a joke.

[Muddy4paws]

Just want to say before I post the following im not racist and it offends anyone I'll delete my post..


KAWLIGA- Maybe they missheard her singing that word, I haven't heard the song but saying that word aloud can also sound like a certain "N" word, as I've said I haven't actually heard the song so it could be prounced differently.

[Catty1]

The only thing racist I can think of here is that the words talk about the stereotype wooden Indian holding cigars outside a store.

Makes me think of the little black-faced lawn people. Haven't seen them for awhile.

If there was a song about a little black-faced male statue falling in love with a little black-faced female statue, well, it sure would rankle some people.

Not because the SONG is racist - but the statues are.

JMO

Candace

[IRescue452]

Whether its racist or not, its not a song I would personally want to hear. It does offend me with some of the terms they use, but seeing a statue like that would offend me too, whether or not there was a song about it. It just another way to spread stereotypes.

[RICHARD]

does anyone remember the Frito Bandito?


All the 'hispanic' groups had a SF over him...

what a crock....

I took the lawn gnome off my porch because I was worried that
short people would be upset.

[caseysmom]

Soooo Richard...you got something against short folks :D

[Nomilynn]

People need to consider *context*.. if someone wrote and produced that song NOW then I could see how it would cause controversy. But it was released years ago. Attitudes have changed a lot since then, and I don't really think that the song was written with malice, but with terms that were used commonly at the time it was released.

[RICHARD]

Soooo Richard...you got something against short folks :D
LOL,
I went with my GF to test drive a Toyota Corrola...

If I was in an accident, I'd have to call an eye doctor to get my knees outta my skull. ;)

I am living in a five foot eight world. :D

[smokey the elder]

At an Abraham Lincoln festival my group sang some Stephen Foster songs, which we decided to "edit". I was reluctant to do this, but since the piece was to be aired on local cable, we decided it was for the best.

[Corinna]

I rescue Not wanting to start fight but what exactly upsets you about the song? you can pm me if you want. I am trying to figure out what is objectinable in the song.

[DrKym]

UM does this company allow Rap? Hip Hop? how about Easy Listening? any song you want to pick can be sonsidered PC uncorrect. i.e. Super Freak? or Donna Summers song She works hard for the money? How about ANYTHING that is gangsta rap? or most country music? one that comes to mind is queen of the double wide trailer, oh and the Hit by Cher Gypsy? let's see who havent we offended yet? Jasper is Shawnee and for the record he loves the song in question, doesn't even take offense to the songs in Disneys Peter Pan not even the one on how the "redman" became red. So I think she should crank up the songs play it and enjoy the music. :rolleyes:

[sparks19]

People are so sensitive these days. Times were different when that song was written. Being PC is such a load of crap. I mean everyone should be respectful but being PC doesn't rid the world of racism. I sometimes think people just want SOMETHING to complain about no matter how petty it is.

[Lady's Human]

Everything is open to PC editing, unfortunately. Louis Armstrong, Hymns in church, you name it, the PC police have hit it.

[RICHARD]

So I guess on disco day "Play that Funky Music White Boy" is out of the question??


-----------------------------
Out in the West Texas town of El Paso
I fell in love with a Mexican girl.
Night-time would find me in Rosa's cantina;
Music would play and Felina would whirl.

Blacker than night were the eyes of Felina,
Wicked and evil while casting a spell.
My love was deep for this Mexican maiden;
I was in love but in vain, I could tell.

One night a wild young cowboy came in,
Wild as the West Texas wind.
Dashing and daring,
A drink he was sharing
With wicked Felina,
The girl that I loved.

So in anger I

Challenged his right for the love of this maiden.
Down went his hand for the gun that he wore.
My challenge was answered in less than a heart-beat;
The handsome young stranger lay dead on the floor.

Just for a moment I stood there in silence,
Shocked by the FOUL EVIL deed I had done.
Many thoughts raced through my mind as I stood there;
I had but one chance and that was to run.

Out through the back door of Rosa's I ran,
Out where the horses were tied.
I caught a good one.
It looked like it could run.
Up on its back
And away I did ride,

Just as fast as I

Could from the West Texas town of El Paso
Out to the bad-lands of New Mexico.

Back in El Paso my life would be worthless.
Everything's gone in life; nothing is left.
It's been so long since I've seen the young maiden
My love is stronger than my fear of death.

I saddled up and away I did go,
Riding alone in the dark.
Maybe tomorrow
A bullet may find me.
Tonight nothing's worse than this
Pain in my heart.

And at last here I

Am on the hill overlooking El Paso;
I can see Rosa's cantina below.
My love is strong and it pushes me onward.
Down off the hill to Felina I go.

Off to my right I see five mounted cowboys;
Off to my left ride a dozen or more.
Shouting and shooting I can't let them catch me.
I have to make it to Rosa's back door.

Something is dreadfully wrong for I feel
A deep burning pain in my side.
Though I am trying
To stay in the saddle,
I'm getting weary,
Unable to ride.

But my love for

Felina is strong and I rise where I've fallen,
Though I am weary I can't stop to rest.
I see the white puff of smoke from the rifle.
I feel the bullet go deep in my chest.

From out of nowhere Felina has found me,
Kissing my cheek as she kneels by my side.
Cradled by two loving arms that I'll die for,
One little kiss and Felina, good-bye.

This song is full of hatred and Un PC ideals. :rolleyes: :eek: ;)

Murder, a floozy, mayhem, police brutality and it all happens because this guy wanted a little interracial something something with a VIRGIN dancer!!

LIke if she really like the dude, why was she sharing a cup with someone else?

Cheating? :eek:
-------------------------------

I was standing in line at Magic Mountain during LAPD night years ago (The park was closed to the public=just cops.

The had just installed TV screens that showed cartoon to the people in line.

They started a Speedy Gonzalez cartoon and the numbskull in front of me began with the racist comments.....Mexicans this, Mexicans that..I was more offended by the fact that this AH worked for my city, as opposed to what he was saying about the "mexican mouse" running around on the screen.

=========================

MOst likely it was someone who had it out for your friend and used that as a reason.

[Edwina's Secretary]

Oh thanks RICHARD....now I will have that song in my head all day! I never understood all the words.... so she was a wicked and evil girl with whom he was in love.... and almost 20 guys looking for one shooter....hmmmm...or...as Willie Nelson might sing...it was for stealing a horse?

[K9soul]

Oh thanks RICHARD....now I will have that song in my head all day!

I had to go grab it off itunes and listen to it.. I haven't heard that song for years. You owe me 99 cents Richard :p

[kuhio98]

I had to go grab it off itunes and listen to it.. I haven't heard that song for years. You owe me 99 cents Richard :pWhatever you do, don't sing it at the office. The PC Police will come and take you away! :rolleyes:

[kuhio98]

I found out more to the story -- not that it makes any difference.
The person who complained is an Alaska Native. I'm not sure which Indian tribe or Eskimo (That's probably a non-PC term now) :rolleyes: group she belongs to. She evidently introduces herself as: "An Authentic Alaskan".

She and my sister have a history. Sis is an ice skating addict who had a screen saver on her work computer of Michelle Kwan doing the "Charlotte" ice skating move (whatever that is). This Authentic Alaskan filed a complaint that it was pornographic and my sister was asked to remove it.

In addition, she is a "holier than thou" Christian who replies "I'm saved and blessed" if you ask her how she is. She also has a huge nailed and bloody Jesus statue in her workplace and reads her Bible through every staff meeting. The statue grosses my sister out -- not because of any religious conviction (or lack thereof) but because of the gore factor. But, since she is an "Authentic Alaskan" and won a discrimination lawsuit a few years back, she is bullet proof.

I told my sister that she works in a hostile work environment. I wouldn't last a week in a place like that.

Really people! Are we that overly sensitive that we are so easily offended?

[K9soul]

Authentic Alaskan? Dang I want to be authentic too. :( What are the rest of the Alaskans, cheap imitations? :p

It seems ridiculous to me.

Anyway thankfully since my office is at home, I'm free to sing what I want if I get the urge :D

[Vela]

I frankly am quite tired of all the PC crap. There is always someone who will take offence to almost anything. Some people think their rights are more important than anyone else's and that everyone should make allowances for them, yet at the same time it is forcing others not to have their own freedoms so as not to offend someone else. Unless someone is specifically trying to offend or harm someone maliciously, I think everyone should take a chill pill and stop all this crybabying about political correctness. Let everyone live their own lives as they see fit, if it's not actually physically harming someone else. Yeah I could take offence at comments made about short redheads, but really what's the point, more people need to get a thicker skin and get over themselves. Nobody is more important than anyone else or should have more rights than everyone else because of skin color or religion, etc. I say to each their own, I won't try to force my rights on others but I don't appreciate others trying to force their rights on me. In trying to be more "tolerant" of everyone, it's gotten to the point where people are intolerant to almost everyone that isn't what they beleive in. Common courtesy has become uncommon and it's just rediculous. It's like one person gets up and says they only like vanilla ice cream, and they should stop serving any other flavor but vanilla and that their right to only have to see vanilla is more important than what anyone else might want. Then there is a court battle and they actually uphold that vanilla should be the only flavor sold anymore. I won't force someone to buy chocolate if they only like vanilla, but I want choclate to be available if that's what I want.

[K9soul]

I want ice cream now...

[DrKym]

Richard are we sure the dancer was a virgin? :eek: and I must agree the whole PC thing is way out of hand. Although flipping thru my music library to find Richards song (it was buzzing in my head too) I have just realized that angels are spanish 7 of them I am told....................................so there went my hopes of an afterlife :(

[Edwina's Secretary]

I want ice cream now...


Bake Alaska perhaps????? :eek: :eek: :D

[BOBS DAD]

Just want to say before I post the following im not racist and it offends anyone I'll delete my post..


KAWLIGA- Maybe they missheard her singing that word, I haven't heard the song but saying that word aloud can also sound like a certain "N" word, as I've said I haven't actually heard the song so it could be prounced differently.

I loved that sound as a kid. Doesn't sound like the "N" word at all. It is pronounced Caw-Lie-Jah! With an emphasis on LIE.

[Vela]

LOL Baked Alaska... but it has to be authentic, none of this knockoff stuff!

[Corinna]

Thanks Richard that was also one of my favorites too and now I have to be careful when I play it. Geessssh !!! I never claim to be PC either in fact I have a button that says" I'm not PC deal with it."

[DrKym]

applauds corrina! boy good thing I own our school with as little PC as I have...........................I don't think tenure would save me LOL

[RICHARD]

Richard are we sure the dancer was a virgin?


My love was deep for this Mexican maiden;


How many maidens do you know? ;) :confused: :eek:

[jesse_3]

Well, I guess I am going to speak up a little bit here. I don't know if some of you really understand. No, personally, that would not effect me, but think of some of the things that are said about Native Americans.
Yes, there is a lot of racism, and one term used in there "red" would be very offensive. I can sort of understand why that would be a problem.

I went through a long journey this year learning about Native Americans, Jewish, and African Americans, and well, I now understand things a little better. I don't want to get in an argument, but give Native Americans a little slack. Their elders have been to Hell and back..Besides, you don't know what could be said to a certain person. Maybe the song triggered a memory. I have a Native American friend who could back me up with that statement too. So please, don't be so harsh. If a Native American were to come on and read this, what would they think?

Stephanie

[RICHARD]

Who remembers Little Black Sambo?

Is he back in vogue now?


A wonderful kid's story about a young black kid that melts some tigers into butter for his pancakes.


I think that it's still Un PC.....PETA will argue about killing Tigers for a short stack.

------------------------------

I find that most stereotypes are based in some truth.


Look at Senor Speedy Gonzalez..
His hat, clothes and and huaraches are the style of long ago.

(Hey, wasn't it the Beach Boys that used the term huaraches in a surfing song? what does rhyme with huaraches?)

Being an American Mexican I have eated beans, rice and tortillas...

Beaner? Darn Right! Taco Bender? Yep!

I can't play the 'sorrow' game today. What ever injustices that happened long ago do not hurt me now. That was a cross for the people who came before me to bear.

I have to make the most of their pain and sacrifices to make my own history.

-------------------------------------

Authentic Alaskans are nothing more than Russians who crossed the Bering when it was frozen over. Check it out!

[IRescue452]

Its not the song that really gets to me. Its the classic "indian" figure. The fact that they are made to be mascots and figures selling cigars with a big hat of feathers and an axe. It gives people the idea that they aren't real humans, like they are novelties. It also bothers me that indians and eskimos are the only human beings used in childrens' alphabet books, while the rest of the items are objects and animals. I probably wouldn't make her stop singing it, I'd probably have gone back to my desk an sat there all depressed thinking about it.

[Lady's Human]

So I should be upset with the NFL (Minnesota Vikings), Capitol One (using vikings as adverts), Hagar the Horrible, ad infinitum?

Damn, I've got a lot of talking to do with a lawyer.

[K9soul]

I really feel just about every race and nationality has been through times of oppression and persecution at some point in history. I just personally can't see getting upset about the lyrics of a song written over 30 to 40 years ago, or sitting and being depressed over things that people did over 100 years ago. At one time women were considered a a man's property and fully within his rights to beat her or treat her however he wanted to. I would not get all offended and upset over a song written in another era about a woman being a good wife to her man etc. People have oppressed each other and done unspeakable things to each other since the beginning of time.

I could go on and on I guess, the "PC movement" really aggravates me on all levels. Did you know there has even been a movement to change the spelling of "women" to "womyn" so that it doesn't have the word "men" in it? :rolleyes: I have more important things to worry about in life. I'd be more concerned about the intent and deeds of true racists (of ANY nationality) than the words being sung by someone to a song.

[Vela]

Well said Jessica, I also agree with Richard.

I'm be a whole lot more concernd about what harm true racists and haters are doing compared to old songs and books. Every race have gone through persecutions and trials since the beginning of whatever, so I have a hard time feeling sorry for one race more than any other, at least nowdays. There is just as much "reverse racism" going on as anything else. I just think people ought to be judged on their deeds alone, not on color or religion and getting up in arms over old songs and books and things from a diffrent time period. There is just enough really bad crap going on in the world now without needing to try to find things from the past to get upset about.

[Corinna]

Oh Richard do I now have to give up my signed oringanl copy of Little Black Sambo too?
I get so tired of changing history to suit some group. Hey as said before we all have had some kind of crap hapen to us , I'm scottish/prussian , my ansestors finaly found a place in the New world that became America. We had to leave England or be killed ( long family history story) .
I say live your life not the past of your family or culture.
Sorry but this stuff really pisses me off.
By the way are we now going to wreck the song John Henry for me too?

[finn's mom]

I am not PC at all...I can see how some people would be offended by some things, but, some things...like this...I just don't see the point in getting that sad. I don't get bent out of shape when I see a big white chef sculpture outside of a cafe, holding a sign with a daily special. I think people perpetuate a lot of the problems they experience in life. All colors experience racism, and, there are many that make it worse for themselves. Not to say that there aren't true racists, because there most certainly are. I know a few. That song is so pathetically not important.

As other examples, in Disney movies...they won't even sell one of my favorites The Song of the South, because Uncle Remus is black and they make a little decoy out of tar and put eyes and a hat on it and refer to it as a tar baby. It's a little kid made out of tar. Tar's black. And, I grew up in places where white was minority, and, I don't remember that term being used even then, it's not something that even gets used much anymore to refer to black people. And, Dumbo. A lot of people want that film taken off the market because the circus workers are all black. And, taking classic books out of circulation, like Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer.

Good and bad, it's all part of history. Part of knowing mistakes people have made in the past is learning from them and hopefully not repeating them. People need to know that racism like that existed...that it still does. In twenty years or less, they're going to ban films like American History X.

Anyway, my brain is all over the place. Sorry if I'm rambling.

[DrKym]

And the price of all those bans and all of this will be forced ignorance on childrens part, once again starting the cycle of hatred fear and awfulness, Man is doomed to repeat the past until he learns from it,only then will things change. As posted earlier my husband is Indian and if he and his family feel it is a minor issue then I refuse to allow it to be an issue for our kids or our grands. He has more of an issue with actual stereotypes that are harmful, i.e. that all irishmen are drunks, that all blacks are criminalistic, that all indians are theives, that all whites are bad. those thought processes hurt people and their lives. A song or a wooden indian isnt, and shouldnt be used as a weapon they are both art forms and in truth nobody likes all forms of art all the time. Somedays I wonder if we don't have too much time on our hands to worry over petty things and forget to worry about the big things just an opinion

[sparks19]

I find it humourous. I mean it seems the very people that are screaming out for equality are in fact the ones pointing out that they are "different". They say we shouldn't notice colour, religion, sex etc etc. Yet they are forcing others to see them that way by demanding they be called by a certain name. For example, I am Caucasion (sp? lol) You can call me white, you can call me pale, heck you can call me cracker if you really want to. I DON"T CARE. I don't force people to look at what my colour or creed is. I don't force people to tip toe around me because God forbid they say something that might be misconstrued as racism. No one calls me an English American or what have you. Why must people label themselves as native american, Authentic Alaskan (whatever the h*ll that is), African American. If you think about it, aren't those terms Un-PC. Just because someone is black (yes I said it) does not mean they are from Africa etc, etc.

If we are forced to acknowledge them by such names how are we supposed to see past their colour. they are forcing us to recognize it.


A little humour though .... While at our cottage up in Northern Canada, we frequently pass a restaurant called.... The Wop and Frog restaurant. LOL It's owned by an Italian and a French guy LOL I thought it was kinda cute. And the little logo guy is a frog with a big black mustache and a chefs hat lol

[Sus]

I agree on all the above! :) I think it is rather far-fetched to name the lyrics racist, and I'm sure that it was never intended that way by the authors/songwriters! I conceive it is as a love story - along the lines of the story by H.C. Andersen: "The Shepherdess and the Chimney-Sweep"/"The Steadfast Tin Soldier".

I think it is more offensive that the ... hm... "lady" in question would flaunt her bible during staffmeetings! :rolleyes:

Lots of love,
Sus and Bella

[lizbud]

[QUOTE=Sus

I think it is more offensive that the ... hm... "lady" in question would flaunt her bible during staffmeetings! :rolleyes:

Lots of love,
Sus and Bella[/QUOTE]


Definately. I would just consider the source.

[RICHARD]

Its not the song that really gets to me. Its the classic "indian" figure. The fact that they are made to be mascots and figures selling cigars with a big hat of feathers and an axe. It gives people the idea that they aren't real humans, like they are novelties. It also bothers me that indians and eskimos are the only human beings used in childrens' alphabet books, while the rest of the items are objects and animals. I probably wouldn't make her stop singing it, I'd probably have gone back to my desk an sat there all depressed thinking about it.


Let's change the "I" to idiot and the "E" to entomologist

and let's toss all the indians performing ceremonial dances, dressed up a Chief
Big Feather Polically Incorrect, into jail.

(Damn it will be good to strip the AMerinds of all their dignity,,,,You'd think that the firewater and reservations would have calmed everyone down.) :eek:

----------------------------------

when I read the story about LBS the only thing I could thinkabout is how good those pancakes with that tiger butter must have tasted..

And what a talent and smarts....he had to get them to melt,

Now I have to settle for Tiger Milk Bars......THERE AIN"T NO TIGER IN THEM!

Get rid of the Exxon Tiger, the Luck Charms leprachaun, the Froot Loops Toucan!

[RICHARD]

What about Frank Zappa?


Dreamed I was an eskimo
Frozen wind began to blow
Under my boots and around my toes
The frost that bit the ground below
It was a hundred degrees below zero...

And my mama cried
And my mama cried
Nanook, a-no-no
Nanook, a-no-no
Dont be a naughty eskimo
Save your money, dont go to the show

Well I turned around and I said oh, oh oh
Well I turned around and I said oh, oh oh
Well I turned around and I said ho, ho
And the northern lights commenced to glow
And she said, with a tear in her eye
Watch out where the huskies go, and dont you eat that yellow snow
Watch out where the huskies go, and dont you eat that yellow snow

[finn's mom]

If we are forced to acknowledge them by such names how are we supposed to see past their colour. they are forcing us to recognize it.


A little humour though .... While at our cottage up in Northern Canada, we frequently pass a restaurant called.... The Wop and Frog restaurant. LOL It's owned by an Italian and a French guy LOL I thought it was kinda cute. And the little logo guy is a frog with a big black mustache and a chefs hat lol


I totally agree with you. I read something that talked about how America is becoming, and, one thing that stuck with me is that America used to be called "the melting pot", but, now, it's more of a tossed salad. It's becoming more about pointing out everyone's differences than concentrating on the similarities. I think it's important to keep your individuality, but, first and foremost, we are all human.

I think that's awesome! The restaurant! That's funny! And, I don't care what people call me, either. You could even call me a honky if you wanted. ;) I have never been able to refer to anyone as **** American. Maybe except Native American, just to differentiate between "indians" from North America and Indians from India. But, I have never had any of my black friends (and where I grew up, that's all I had) say they minded if I called them black instead of African American. My friend Lovette actually laughed and said, "heck, none of my family is from africa." ;)

[kuhio98]

...But, I have never had any of my black friends (and where I grew up, that's all I had) say they minded if I called them black instead of African American. My friend Lovette actually laughed and said, "heck, none of my family is from africa." ;)I saw Whoopie Goldberg on a show once. I loved what she said. I won't be able to quote her exactly, but she said something liked ~ Don't call me African American. I don't want anything to come between me and being an American.
I few years ago there was something on the news about Tiger Woods asking him how he wanted to be referred to. Was he African American? A Thailand American? An African-Thailand American? He responded something that was full of hyphens because his Mom's genetic background was mixed of several ethnic groups and so was his father's. I found myself wishing that he had just said, "I am an American".

[IRescue452]

I'm rarely pc, everybody is an American, so I don't have to worry about terms of correctness, if only the rest of the country would get that through their skull. I wanted to be an entomologist for a long time. I never drink and neither does my family, but you know if I had the money I'd move back on the reservation in a heartbeat. There just aren't any jobs to be had there. We stick out like sore thumbs here in Dutchland. Whenever I hear people trying to come up with pc terms I am so amused. People are so scared to offend others. I just wish they'd wise up about certain things, like black people not coming from Africa, they are Americans. I always imagine the white man coming to America years ago, thinking they were in India and calling the natives "Indians". Now, centuries later, they still haven't figured out we aren't Indians. You hicks are so stupid. How's that for pc.

[BOBS DAD]

I saw Whoopie Goldberg on a show once. I loved what she said. I won't be able to quote her exactly, but she said something liked ~ Don't call me African American. I don't want anything to come between me and being an American.
I few years ago there was something on the news about Tiger Woods asking him how he wanted to be referred to. Was he African American? A Thailand American? An African-Thailand American? He responded something that was full of hyphens because his Mom's genetic background was mixed of several ethnic groups and so was his father's. I found myself wishing that he had just said, "I am an American".

My parent's liked to say that we were "Croatian Americans) and I guess that makes sense since they grew up speaking Croatian first and foremost and only English in Public and School. BUT that was then and This is NOW. My kids are told they are AMERICAN, just like all of their friends. Just like Whoopie, Tiger, JFK, George Bush, Michael Jordan or George Lopez! People of my Ethnic background around my parts are sometimes referred to as "MillHunkies". Not so much anymore since most of the Steel Mills have shut down. Although some found it offensive, I always thought it kind of funny and never really bothered by it!!!

[finn's mom]

He responded something that was full of hyphens because his Mom's genetic background was mixed of several ethnic groups and so was his father's. I found myself wishing that he had just said, "I am an American".


I kinda like that he did that way, but, I didn't hear his tone. If **I'd** said it, it would have been with a bit of a sarcastic tone, like you'd have to call me Cherokee-Irish-German-French American. ;) But, yeah, I see your point. I still would like to have actually heard him say that. ;)