Term for Scottish emigrant descendants?

[xena]

I hear what your trying to get at MacMillan, but I think we may be trying to say the same thing two different ways. You may like Chinese food, and that won't make you Chinese, but neither will having medium dark skin, black hair and the "asiatic fold" in your eyes.

Where I live, there are many people of Asian ancestry (that is their ancestors came from Asia, and they have the characteristic genetic features that we associate with that region) who aren't ethnically Asian. They are ethnic "North Americans", and more WASPy than I am. They are colloquially known as "bananas", as in yellow on the outside, white on the inside.

I know a man who grew up in Taiwan (his parents were diplomats) who, for all intents and purposes is more Chinese than most Chinese around here, and he's a ginger! He's what they would call an egg - the exact opposite of a banana - white on the outside, and yellow on the inside. I've seen Sikhs with red-hair and freckles, and Ebony skinned Jews. There are (East) Indians who are card carrying Tory's (read as: "Republican" if you're in the USA) and the number of Caucasian's that are into Chakra therapy is astounding.

But, on the other hand, what we also have to consider is that ethnicity and culture are not whimsical. One can't just wake up one morning and decide that they're "whatever". Ethnicity and culture involve one's entire lifestyle, and that can't just be changed instantaneously. So, for those that take it seriously enough to live it in the long-term, one may call them Scotophiles, or adopted Scots, or just Scots (or maybe just plain crazy! lol!), but it does them a disservice if we dismiss them with a "we like you, but you'll never be one of us" attitude.

So, FWIW, I don't think we disagree! I'm just trying to be a bit more open about people being who they want to be.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I hear what your trying to get at MacMillan, but I think we may be trying to say the same thing two different ways. You may like Chinese food, and that won't make you Chinese, but neither will having medium dark skin, black hair and the "asiatic fold" in your eyes.

Actually, having the racial characteristics you've described would make me Chinese if my ancestors came from Shanghai. If they came from Seoul, I'd be Korean, and if they hailed from Yoda (a suburb of Tokyo) I'd be Japanese.

Where I live, there are many people of Asian ancestry (that is their ancestors came from Asia, and they have the characteristic genetic features that we associate with that region) who aren't ethnically Asian.

They aren't? What are they?

They are ethnic "North Americans"

Hold it right there. I know that Canada strives mightily to become a multi-ethnic/multi-cultural society, but the last time I looked there was no such a thing as an ethnic "Norte Americano".

I've seen Sikhs with red-hair and freckles, and Ebony skinned Jews. There are (East) Indians who are card carrying Tory's (read as: "Republican" if you're in the USA)...

So? People look different, they don't all fall into stereotypes; that's not the point.

...and the number of Caucasian's that are into Chakra therapy is astounding.

Being "into" something doesn't alter the fact that they are Caucasians... despite practicing yoga, they are not turning into Aryans, Dravidians, or any other sort of Indio-Persian person. They may be limber, they may be in touch with the seven centers of the body, but they are still Caucasians.

But, on the other hand, what we also have to consider is that ethnicity and culture are not whimsical. One can't just wake up one morning and decide that they're "whatever". Ethnicity and culture involve one's entire lifestyle,

You've jumped over the part about ancestry-- it is ancestry that determines ethnicity, and environment that shapes an individual's reaction and acceptance (or rejection) of his Culture. One can "share" someone else's Culture without being an ethnic part of the Culture.

So, for those that take it seriously enough to live it in the long-term, one may call them Scotophiles,

Which I do, because they love my Culture as much, or more, than their own ethnic Culture.

or adopted Scots, or just Scots (or maybe just plain crazy! lol!), but it does them a disservice if we dismiss them with a "we like you, but you'll never be one of us" attitude.

It isn't about "dismissiveness", as much as it it about facing the fact that "all inclusiveness" is an awkward, politically correct, social fiction. No one "dismisses" someone who pays them the compliment of immersing himself in their Culture. Far from it. We laud their interest and efforts. But those interests and efforts, as noble as they may be, will not transform a Hottentot into a Scot, any more that it would turn a Scot into an Eskimo.

I think that people are more receptive to, and more respectful of, those people who are not trying to be something they aren't. It is better to be who you are, rather than trying to be something you are not.

I'm just trying to be a bit more open about people being who they want to be.

I'm all in favour of an open society. As long as it's an honest society.

And on that, I think we can both agree.

[slohairt]

I believe what Xena is referring to is the Aboriginal/First Nations people whose ancestors came here some 15 000 years ago or so. In Canada, at least, we consider them to be ethnic Canadians or ethnic North Americans. So, yes, their ancestors hail from the continent of Asia but not any Asian country in particular. (Obviously.)

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I believe what Xena is referring to is the Aboriginal/First Nations people whose ancestors came here some 15 000 years ago or so. In Canada, at least, we consider them to be ethnic Canadians or ethnic North Americans.

So that means that the Second People (who ever they were, the Danes, the French, the English...) and all subsequent arrivistes in Canada aren't ethnic Canadians. Thanks for clearing that up.

[slohairt]

So that means that the Second People (who ever they were, the Danes, the French, the English...) and all subsequent arrivistes in Canada aren't ethnic Canadians. Thanks for clearing that up.

Indeedily-do, neighbourino.