Interesting take on Tartan Day

[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.

[Larry124]

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.

Well said.

[Vafuth]

Well said.

indeed!!

[Galician]

I agree.

The reality is, however, that his view is not uncommon in many countries of the "Old" World. This can be seen by many of the comments left on that article.

The one I found most striking was the one that, if we aren't dealing with the daily messiness of life there, we aren't entitled to identify ourselves as one of them....which might have its merits. This, however, gets cultural identity confused with national identity.

[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!

[Charlie Mc.]

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.

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

Texas still has plenty of celebrations of German heritage as well. You can still find polka halls and every year in New Braunfels (just north of San Antonio) they celebrate Wurstfest (the local equivalent of Oktoberfest).

Thanks to all for the nice comments.

[kevinkinney]

I feel awful,

I think I'll put the whole wardrobe on Ebay, and go revel in my Czech heritage.

Alpinism, whitewater, and foods cooked in cream from here on out.

Goodbye rabble,

<sniff> Kevin.