Interesting take on Tartan Day

[beloitpiper]

Haha, complaining that we are "stealing" Scottish culture is stupid. Where did rock 'n' roll come from? Blue jeans? Hamburgers? Cultures will flow with the demand. Just like British Rock vs. American Rock, so too is Scottish and Scottish-American culture different.

If he doesn't like us "stealing" Scottish culture, then I'm sure he'd be more than happy to give up that which he "steals" from us.

[ronstew]

The article is a crock, and bordering on insulting.

The basis of his argument is rot: I have never known a Canadian who claimed to be English. Lots will say that their great-grandparents came from England, but none lay claim to being English. Who did the author meet here that did that?

Likewise, I do not claim to be Scottish, but I do claim the ancestry and heritage. And on occassion, I choose to flaunt it.

Ah well, he got a rise out of me, so I suppose he was successful in whatever he was trying to do.

[Vafuth]

Haha, complaining that we are "stealing" Scottish culture is stupid. Where did rock 'n' roll come from? Blue jeans? Hamburgers? Cultures will flow with the demand. Just like British Rock vs. American Rock, so too is Scottish and Scottish-American culture different.

If he doesn't like us "stealing" Scottish culture, then I'm sure he'd be more than happy to give up that which he "steals" from us.

I agree...almost completely....I do make one distinction...

that is I am an American of Scottish descent...no matter my heritage and bloodline I am an American first and it is to this country I hold my loyalty (in spite of my personal opinions about our leaders abilities).

And if I choose to honor my ancestry from Scotland by wearing a kilt or my Nordic heritage by my choice in faith, who is a Scotsman or Nordic man to say I'm wrong to do so.

[sharpdressedscot]

You know, why does it matter to them? Why do they care so much? This is a petty thing. I for one am proud of my heritage and I don't need anyone else to tell me if I should celebrate it or not.

[Nick the DSM]

I can celebrate any of my heritages whenever and where i want. the people in the isles can join in as well but most choose not to, i'm guessing from the article.

[Charlie Mc.]

I find Scottish and Irish history to be very interesting. As a rule I have like most Scots and Irish that I have met. I enjoy their whisky, their beer, and their music. The fact that i have ancestors from both countries provides a neat link to the past. That being said, I am an American, the culture i was raised in is south Texas. I also have an interest in Japanese culture, history and language. I study a Japanese martial art. I even lived in Japan for a year when I was in the Marine Corps. Most Japanese that I have talked to like the fact that i am taking such an interest in their culture. In fact a couple have told me they think its funny that I know more about their history then they do. None of this takes away from my identity as an American nor is it insulting to the countries that i am interested in. This guy takes himself way too seriously.

[beloitpiper]

As an anthropologist, this upsets me.

He's complaining that we're not celebrating our own culture and using theirs instead. Well guess what; if we celebrate it, then it's our culture too. Using Charlie Mc as an example, he studies Japanese martial arts and lived in Japan. He was immersed in and embraced that culture. That means that "Japanese culture" is now part of his culture. I play bagpipes, wear kilts, enjoy whisky, and speak Gaelic. It's my culture. I was raised in an American Celtic community and no Scot, Irishman, or Englishman will ever tell me that they have a monopoly on that culture.

[Draelore]

I guess that the point of the article was that people shouldn't celebrate their heritage. While I will admit that the 20th century pretty well ended many of the celebrations of German heritage, maybe in 40 or so more years I can go to a bar wearing Lederhosen. In the mean time I will enjoy celebrating my wife's ancestry and wearing a kilt.

[Vafuth]

either way, kilts are still just damn comfy...heritage or not!

[beloitpiper]

While I will admit that the 20th century pretty well ended many of the celebrations of German heritage, maybe in 40 or so more years I can go to a bar wearing Lederhosen.

Haha, not in Wisconsin! What weekend are you free? I'll take you to a German festival somewhere!