Reply #1: I think the difference is that has really been no need to differentiate by culture [View All]

The Irish are the only example that I can think of of white Americans being treated even closely to what Americans of color have endured here.

The only fierce nationalism you'll see America is "American patriotism." There really doesn't seem to be very much need for Americans to mark themselves by their respective nationalities because the history of this country has always been steadied by a rock-solid foundation of the belief of white (European) superiority regardless of which white European it was, though there has always been the perceived EXTRA special superiority of the English. To be of French, German, Russian, English, Polish etc. heritage was always important to the individual and maybe even individual families, but really had no bearing upon their place in American society. At the days' end, they were still white.

Your post about the cultural hierarchy in Haiti is so interesting and it reminds me of the experiences I've had with Indians, who are also fiercely nationalistic. I have met and befriended so many Indians and no matter where they live, they usually tend to have such pride in their heritage and culture and the vast majority of them also marry other Indians. My youngest aunt married an Indian guy. Her first marriage of three (and counting.) I love her but :eyes:

He was the most lovely person. My grandparents ADORED him and so did I. His family was lovely and they would have given their lives for their son but they told my aunt under no uncertain terms that they did not support their marriage. When they got married anyway, it was so bittersweet. His parents more or less disowned him and they did not come to the wedding. I was about 15 at the time and even then, as hurt as I was for my then-uncle and for my aunt and as angry as I was at his family, in some way I understood exactly where they were coming from. It must be frustrating and a bit frightening to feel that your children may be turning their backs on the culture that you feel will protect them. I think that's why sooo many people and cultures put up these roadblocks, as a way of protection. But we all know that as the world keeps getting smaller these obstacles will just keep getting torn down.