Of Twinkies and Oreos: What it means to be “Ethnic” in “White” America

Flopping Aces ^ | 10-29-14 | Wordsmith

[SatinDoll]

That, my dear GeronL, is a very good question.

I suspect my great-grandmother is a Melungeon, which would mean she is not descended from African slaves.

Don’t know what a Melungeon is? Go look it up on Wikipedia.

Note: According to the Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture, a 1950 dissertation by Edward Price, a cultural geographer, proposed that Melungeons were families descended from free people of color, and mixed-race unions in colonial Virginia with Native Americans.

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Here’s a question: what does it mean to be ethnically white in white America?

[GeronL]

That is also interesting.

And another thing that makes “reparations” impossible. I suspect that most black ancestors came to America after slavery ended.

[xrmusn]

Please tell me I’m not the only one who clicked on this thinking it would be about snack foods
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I am surprised that ANYONE who follows this forum and participates and pays attention to Politics would be surprised that it is anything BUT about the subject it is about.

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I actually object to the term “ethnic,” as it’s used in such a way that it makes white people out to be non-ethnic. The hell I say! I’m proud of my mixed German and Anglo ancestry. I can drink beer and Scotch whisky and wear plaid with the best of them.

[Trillian]

I’ve heard of the term oreo before, but not twinkie for people.
That’s what I get for skipping a couple of meals today ;)

[xrmusn]

I’ve heard of the term oreo before, but not twinkie for people.
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Oreo ‘common’ however ‘twinkie’ kind of new BUT don’t forget the “Twinkie Defense” when that guy shot Harvey Milk in SF a few years back....seems his defense was he was loading up on twinkies etc etc...

Also, now that Milk is ‘mentioned’ I think ‘twink or twinkie’ is a term ‘Milk’s’ kind use for newbies....

Not that there is anything wrong with that...(Thanks JS)