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PaperclipPerfector  6mo ago (text post)   3858 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for May 19, 2024

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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Do you participate in any organizations or activities based around your identity, ancestry, or heritage?

Examples of the kinds of things I'm thinking of are:

  • A German-American helping put on the local Oktoberfest
  • Someone whose father was a coal miner, contributing to the local miners' museum
  • A Welsh person teaching a Welsh-language class

I've volunteered at my local small town's annual founding festival, which has small events and games like a pie eating contest and an auction, if that counts

No, the day job is American enough.

My family has been in the Carolinas since the 1700s. We’re pretty firmly integrated.

On the Fourth of July, I run in American flag shorts while listening to Rick Derringer's Real American.

But seriously, I just lack any meaningful ties to an ancestry or heritage other than American. I have British ancestors that got here 400 years ago and German ancestors that started coming in the 1800s, but pretty much none of them in the 20th century seemed to have done much to maintain any ties to the old countries. We're just a very American family and I'm good with that.

Yes, I am actively involved in one ethnic heritage organization and occasionally help out with a couple of others. Each one is having trouble gaining new, younger members (if they’re even trying), so I’m not hugely optimistic about their futures. I sometimes wonder if I’m wasting my time by getting involved at all.

No, for better or for worse.

I'm part of a heritage/ancestry organization. Descendants of some people that came to the US in the 1620's. I'm mainly a member cuz my mother and grandfather cared about it a bunch and bought lifetime memberships for their kids. I have helped them with some website stuff a few times.

Yeah, same here. Mayflower Society?

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