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England Quote by Christopher Hitchens

“[T]he hyphenation question is, and always has been and will be, different for English immigrants. One can be an Italian-American, a Greek-American, an Irish-American and so forth. (Jews for some reason prefer the words the other way around, as in 'American Jewish Congress' or 'American Jewish…” quote by Christopher Hitchens
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““[T]he hyphenation question is, and always has been and will be, different for English immigrants. One can be an Italian-American, a Greek-American, an Irish-American and so forth. (Jews for some reason prefer the words the other way around, as in 'American Jewish Congress' or 'American Jewish Committee.') And any of those groups can and does have a 'national day' parade on Fifth Avenue in New York. But there is no such thing as an 'English-American' let alone a 'British-American,' and one can only boggle at the idea of what, if we did exist, our national day parade on Fifth Avenue might look like. One can, though, be an Englishman in America. There is a culture, even a literature, possibly a language, and certainly a diplomatic and military relationship, that can accurately be termed 'Anglo-American.' But something in the very landscape and mapping of America, with seven eastern seaboard states named for English monarchs or aristocrats and countless hamlets and cities replicated from counties and shires across the Atlantic, that makes hyphenation redundant. Hyphenation—if one may be blunt—is for latecomers.””

Christopher Hitchens

About This Quote

Source Speech: Interview on cultural identity, 1990s

Hyphenating national identities is unnecessary for English-derived groups because the cultural and historical ties are already embedded in America’s landscape.

In simple terms: English-American identity is redundant due to shared history and culture.

Key Takeaway

Recognize overlapping cultural identities without forced labels.

Themes

identity culture language nationalism

Mood

reflective analytical

Type

observational critical

When to use this quote

  • immigration discussions
  • education curricula
  • media representation
  • public policy debates

Key Concepts

anglo-americanism hyphenation cultural assimilation

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do labels affect our perception of belonging?
  • Can we celebrate shared heritage without hyphenation?
A Different Perspective

Overemphasis on labels can obscure shared heritage and unity.

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