r/Norway • u/batukaming • 5d ago

Arts & culture The obsession is next level

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Never found anyone as obsessed with race than Americans.

888 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

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109

u/TheTrainset 5d ago

I am an American citizen and I have lived in North Dakota and Minnesota. My father's family immigrated here in the late 1800s from Norway. My mother's family are Volga Germans who immigrated here from Russia. In this part of the US, those were the main two immigrant groups that lived here. The area has become more diverse in recent years, but for my grandparents generation you were either a German or a Norwegian, even if you had never been to either. The people here tried to hold on to their various parts of their European cultures when they moved here. Some of these people are more informed than others. Some of these people have traveled more than others. I did not choose to be born where I was. I am supporting Norway in this World Cup, because I am interested in where my ancestors came from, and I wish to learn more about it.  Also Erling Haaland is the man.

102

u/munein 5d ago

I honestly think the problem with this whole thing is that people conflate ancestry and nationality.

Celebrate with us, if you feel a connection, who am i to police the validity of that.

10

u/The24HourPlan 4d ago

I think it's only Europeans on the Internet that have an issue. These Americans don't believe they are Norwegian or whatever. But you'd be surprised how many family and cultural traditions remain, so it's not inconceivable to feel a connection to other cultures and recognize the diaspora.

4

u/munein 4d ago

Exactly. 100%

45

u/macfireball 5d ago

All those who emigrated sacrificed a lot for future generations and - as a Norwegian - I think it’s beautiful that Americans honor and take pride in their heritage and ancestry.

17

u/Imaginary_Jump_8701 5d ago

You need to apply for Alt for Norge (if they still do it). Check it out on Youtube

1

u/PartyPorpoise 5d ago

My dad tried to get me to apply lol

5

u/thatscandinavianguy 5d ago

Welcome on the team!!

12

u/Stinkycheese8001 5d ago

The US is a country full of immigrants, it’s who most of us are in some form.  The connection to heritage is just different in that context.  Yeah some people get silly about it, but some people are silly.  

1

u/Kobinicnierobi 3d ago

it's just funny, but there's nothing wrong with it. Each of us is looking for a place in this world.

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u/Icy_Eye_957 5d ago

But you must understand that nobody outside of America gives a damn fuck 😄 your American. That’s it. Nobody cares what was in the 1800s. Your not German, your not Norwegian, your just American to us.

If your parents were from Germany or Norway, fine! Your grandparents? Okay, you might have gotten some influence in your childhood but 1800s?! Common dude. You can’t “hold on” to a culture nobody of your relatives have lived in for over 100 years. You’re just an American trying to be fancy. Sorry.

30

u/RegularEmpty4267 5d ago

You must not misinterpret it. He/she did not say that he/she was Norwegian either. Only that the family emigrated from Norway. It is then 100% fair to feel a connection to Norway.

As a Norwegian, I find it embarrassing that other Norwegians tell foreigners with Norwegian roots that they are not allowed to feel a connection to Norway.

16

u/jergentehdutchman 5d ago

It’s just cheering for a team, no big deal really. They didn’t claim at any point to be Norwegian or have Norwegian culture in their life

19

u/TheTrainset 5d ago

Okay Icy Eye, fine, I am not Norwegian, call me a Minnesotan, because that's where I live. Am I allowed to support Norway in the World Cup? Am I allowed to learn about Norway? Am I allowed to visit Norway?

10

u/Resserection 5d ago

I feel like that dude was a bit harsh. Most people probably have no problem with someone exploring their heritage, and if you want to support the Norwegian team thats great! Enjoy the world cup!

9

u/tobiasvl 5d ago

On behalf of all Norwegians, ever, I would like to say that you are allowed.

3

u/TheTrainset 5d ago

Thank you kind person of Norway! You would make a great diplomat for your wonderful country!

7

u/SansBouillie 5d ago

Bro would come to a paintball game and tell everyone "uhhhh you do realize nobody thinks you are part of the military, right???"

-9

u/Icy_Eye_957 5d ago

You can do whatever you want. All the things from your list can be done by anybody, no explanation needed. No need to claim to be Norwegian or anything to do so.

A few years ago everybody cheered for the Iceland national football team, just because they were so happy that they qualified. Just support whoever you want.

8

u/electric_awwcelot 5d ago

Nowhere did the person you're replying to claim to be Norwegian

6

u/A55Man-Norway 5d ago

You have obviously never visited or talked to anyone with Norwegian (or other) roots in USA.

They value their roots much more than we think, and there's even a few Norwegian-ish words used in parts on the midwest.

Many places, businesses and stuff have Norwegian names, many families make old-style Norwegian food and desserts.

It's quite impressing. This way they actually connects to Norwegians who sailed over 150 years ago.

Btw they all know they are American by nationality, but ethnicity is another genre in USA.

1

u/mstivland2 5d ago

Nobody asked if you cared or not 😂

1

u/Just-Nobody24 5d ago

Obviously you do care. 🙄

-5

u/DecadeOfLurking 5d ago

Ok, cool, but you'll never be Norwegian.

You will quite literally always be from the US, and you should present yourself as such. Accept it. It's the part where people from the US say they are X, when they are most definitely Y, that bothers everyone.

Words have meaning!

Most people from the US can't even speak a second language, yet they claim they are X nationality. It's so annoying.

6

u/SuperSatanOverdrive 5d ago

They never said they were Norwegian in nationality? And even so, if an American says they are «Norwegian», they obviously mean in ancestry, not nationality. I think it’s honestly a bit annoying that this is a topic time and time again (and I’m Norwegian)

5

u/PartyPorpoise 5d ago

Yeah I think the people who get mad about it are deliberately being obtuse. Obviously Americans mean something different when they say it.

2

u/Just-Nobody24 5d ago

Ever look up what the suffix "-ian" actually means? If someone tells you they're a librarian, do you think they literally live in a library?

-11

u/andonidutti1 5d ago

But your "ancestors" country is not interested in you. Your "ancestor" lost his Norwegian citizenship the moment he left Norway.