I guess both ‘identity’ and ‘heritage’ are doing a lot of heavy lifting.
And I know this is mostly pedantry, but there’re terms that actually do fit better. Like immigrants, settlers, etc.
My great grandad was from Sicily. I’m from Minnesota. I don’t have any heritage or identity that has much to do with Sicily. I do have heritage as the progeny of immigrants from Sicily. But not Sicily.
But they’re not Irish or Cuban or Italian.
They’re Americans.
I think there’s a big difference between knowing your family’s history and drawing an identity from it.
deleted by creator
We’re all Ethiopian
As far as white/Caucasian Americans, I’d bet money it’s Germanic ancestry.
I recall reading that at one point in the 19th century, 52% of American newspapers were printed in German. And, you still find towns with German names from coast to coast. Anaheim California, Hamburg Minnesota, Berlin New Hampshire.
If you’re near Eastern Indiana, check out Oldenburg.
Excellent opportunity for sabotage.