My take?
I think most that have responded missed Pale's point, are at the least, what he said.
Example, African American, Mexican American, Asian American, ALL terms, that would cause one to think, me anyway, that someone was African first, then an American next. FUCK that, pure and simple. If you walk around with a "chip" on your shoulder, and you want to be identified with some ethnic group FIRST, then don't look to me for support, or ANY interest in defending you.
I'm NATIVE American, just to "jump on the band wagon", but really, I'm an American FIRST. I'm good with my background, I'm NOT embarrassed to talk about my heritage, but I WOULDN'T be an AMERICAN if I thought I came first, and America second.
Don't want to presume to talk for Pale, but until folks start to understand the difference between HISTORY, and the "here, and now", this nation is going to have problems moving on.
My two cents...........