America isn't just the U.S.A. So what is an American?

[Spoken Word]

Simple enough.
Well, since everyone asks for "PROOF" on here(which I think is a good thing) I'll speak of what I know.
In the southern half of America, they teach the students that there are 5 continents(maybe 6).

America
Europe
Asia
Africa
Austrailia

If they consider Antartica a continent then, so be it.

But my point is that they don't seperate America into two. And imo, the whole world teaches America as one continent.

----Why does the U.S. school system consider America two different continents?
I can only think of negative reasons. All against hispanic people. LOL

----And the world has also started to call U.S. citizens "Americans" but why is it so normal?

[Compugasm]

Why are Europe, Africa, and Asia separate continents?

[Spoken Word]

...I wasn't expecting arguments with more questions but I guess it's a good point...... Although I think the answer to yours might be a little old considering America was named as the "New World" MANY years ago.

And even if I knew the answer, I'd know the "geographical" answer to mine as well.
I believe there is a "racial" answer. I'd like to know what Canadian and Mexican schools teach but even if they the same as the U.S., I'd want to know the reason for the seperation of America. No offence either just wondering. It isn't really important, I consider it interesting.

[BionicArmofDeth]

Im sorry but i have a hard time following your idea.

[Spoken Word]

What are you confused about?
And I don't see any "ideas" :)

[Jack]

Politics and geography are often at odds. We don't consider people from India Asians, but India is in what we call Asia.
North and South America seem obvious, but the division between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico are more political than geographic. If we were only using geography as a basis, you'd be correct to call Canadians and Mexicans Americans. Since that leads to confusion, we accept the political definitions.

[fushigi]

My girlfriend (Brazilian) takes offense to me describing myself as an "American." She calls me a "stater." So does rmnunez. Me, I still say I'm an American, but only when other "Americans" (Brazilians, Mexicans, Canadians) aren't around. When they are, I just say I'm "from the US."

I would definitely never say "I'm from America" (though even by their standards I am). I say "I'm from the US," and quickly specify California (we are the most tolerated US state).

Yeah, I do know what it's like to be an oppressed minority. It ain't fun.

[Spoken Word]

Quote by: fushigi My girlfriend (Brazilian) takes offense to me describing myself as an "American." She calls me a "stater." So does rmnunez. Me, I still say I'm an American, but only when other "Americans" (Brazilians, Mexicans, Canadians) aren't around. When they are, I just say I'm "from the US." I would definitely never say "I'm from America" (though even by their standards I am). I say "I'm from the US," and quickly specify California (we are the most tolerated US state). Yeah, I do know what it's like to be an oppressed minority. It ain't fun.

I'm sorry, im confused.

Did I imply that I am an oppressed minority?

[Jack]

As individuals, aren't we all in a way?

[Spoken Word]

Oppressed?
I don't think so.
I don't feel oppressed by anyone or anything.

[Technosoul]

Quote by: Isherwood Politics and geography are often at odds. We don't consider people from India Asians, but India is in what we call Asia. North and South America seem obvious, but the division between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico are more political than geographic. If we were only using geography as a basis, you'd be correct to call Canadians and Mexicans Americans. Since that leads to confusion, we accept the political definitions.

We have North Amreica and South America. Mexico for example is part of America, as is Canada, and every country way down to the tippy toes of South America. Now an Island way out in the ocean could become a state as part of the United States. But that island is not part of America.

Why, because some guy drew a map and called the whole new world America and that is it's name. He drew the map and had that right.

In truth we have (also) Mexico of America and Canada of America. So now down to some more realistic answers.

It is easy to call your self Mexican and easy to call your self American, But would you really want to call your self a " United Statescan" ? Does that even sound good or right?

"Hello world, I am a United Statescan". Who wants to use a goofy name like that?

In a factual sense we are the United States IN the Americas. not "of" Amreica. As America was claimed by Spain when they drew the map.

American sounds better then Statescan and so that is why we call our self Americans. Also statecan sounds a bit like trashcan. Which would be cool because in the early days the Republic of America which later became the United States became the trashcan for people who were cast out and rejected by other countries. We are the trashcan of the world.
so... love it, or leave it and come to America ... I mean to the USA. and become a USCAN. Or whatever else you wanna be.

Excuse me for drifting off the topic intended but I am following in the foot prints of the Mayflower.

But hey, I had to sit on my can for a long time to come up with this answer.

but now it is time to log off for me for tonight - so "here's thinkcan about ya, see ya tomorrrow".

[fushigi]

Quote by: Spoken Word I'm sorry, im confused. Did I imply that I am an oppressed minority?

Nope, but come to Beijing and you will be.

Even the Europeans aren't all-too-thrilled to meet Americans. We've got a pretty bad name right now.

Thus the popularity of the view "you're staters, not just Americans."

Sucks to be persecuted for things you don't even believe in. If I had 1 RMB for every time I heard a Chinese say, "Oh, you're from the US huh? I don't like staters. I don't like Bush," I'd have a nice little collection going.

[Kamehameha34]

I'm suprised that it's Americans that get so much flack when it's the rest of the world that seems so intolerant.

[Spoken Word]

Quote by: fushigi Nope, but come to Beijing and you will be. Even the Europeans aren't all-too-thrilled to meet Americans. We've got a pretty bad name right now. Thus the popularity of the view "you're staters, not just Americans." Sucks to be persecuted for things you don't even believe in. If I had 1 RMB for every time I heard a Chinese say, "Oh, you're from the US huh? I don't like staters. I don't like Bush," I'd have a nice little collection going.

I look a lot more Colombian(my background) than I do "American".

People come up to me and speak spanish all the time. Like if we were in Cuba.

I've also had someone come up to me and speak some kind of middle eastern language. I guess cause colombians tend to have thick eyebrows and thick hair as well. When I replied in English(and with an American accent) he apologized and ran off. I could tell he felt akward.

But anyways, I still don't see why the U.S is the only country that considers America two continents.

[Spoken Word]

Quote by: Kamehameha34 I'm suprised that it's Americans that get so much flack when it's the rest of the world that seems so intolerant.

Every country and race is intolerant and every country and race gets flack.

[Kamehameha34]

Quote by: Spoken Word Every country and race is intolerant and country and race gets flack.

Umm..?

:confused:

I don't get it.

[Spoken Word]

Forgive me, that was a typo.

I just meant that it's natural to attack and talk bad about other countries or "give flack" as you put it. Everyone has something to say about every country, and usually it isn't positive.
Basically, we all talk shit.

I'm off to bed. I'm tired. I've been at work since an hour before I started this thread.

[gw120]

I'm suprised that it's Americans that get so much flack when it's the rest of the world that seems so intolerant.

A country is bombing your kids, invading your country, just generally fucking it up, aren't you going to give that country flack?

And I'm not saying anti-americanism is right, just saying you can't really blame 'em.

[Jern_Sandyer]

Quote by: Spoken Word But anyways, I still don't see why the U.S is the only country that considers America two continents.

Canada also considers them two separate continants usually. But Latin and North America are also popular.

[DEEJ85]

I concur with what Jern says.

Here in Vancouver Canada, it is taught that Canada U.S. and Mexico are part of North America. South America is taught as a separate Continent.

Antarctica, Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa are each considered a continent.

I was taught the world had 7 continents including Antarctica. Which I agree with.