American Pilgrims on the Camino/Gatherings

[GC Fraser]

        As I understand it, the use of the word "American" to refer only
to people from the USA is a (very) common error.  From the first use of
the word, it meant anyone from the Americas, North and South.  Clearly,
most US residents arrogate the term to themselves.  Others, Canadians
and Europeans mostly, sometimes use it in its wider, original meaning.
        There isn't another convenient term to mean citizens or
residents of the United States, I suppose that's why so many use
"American" as an easy out.  For myself, If I'm asked whether I'm an
American, I just answer "yes".  If the question is put differently, I
usually say, "I'm from the US" or some equivalent.
        I suppose this is a wasted effort on my part, but as far as I'm
concerned any Canadian, Mexican, Costa Rican or Ecuadorian should be
able to answer "yes" when asked if they are American.  Maybe the
international community of the compañeros del Camino is a good place to
start this more historically accurate and inclusive practise.
        Are there any takers?

Fr. Gerry Fraser

> -----Original Message-----
> From: dandekay [mailto:dandekayaSBCGLOBAL.NET]
> Sent: Wednesday, December 24, 2003 3:20 AM
> Subject: Re: American Pilgrims on the Camino/Gatherings
>
>
> The discussion of "American" -or should it be- "North
> American" etc., puts me in mind of an amusing experience on
> the Camino this past fall.... I had mentioned to a fellow
> pilgrim from Canada that I was often asked, "are you
> Canadian?" (I'm from Northern California). "Oh", she replied,
> "that's because they think you might actually be Canadian and
> don't want to offend you by asking, "Are you an American!".
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Robert Ward" <robertwardaGOSYMPATICO.CA>
> To: <GOCAMINOaPETE.URI.EDU>
> Sent: Tuesday, December 23, 2003 9:54 AM
> Subject: Re: American Pilgrims on the Camino/Gatherings
>
>
> > Ah, but note that the Little Company of Friends has a maple leaf on
> > its
> logo!
> >
> > I assume you are being facetious (irony being our national
> forte), but
> just in case you aren't I'll point out that the "American
> Pilgrims on the Camino" is, as its name suggests, a group of
> Americans who decided it would be fun to have a big annual
> get-together of Camino lovers. It probably never occurred to
> them that anyone from outside the States would want to join
> (and indeed, at last year's gathering, I was the only
> Canadian, and non-US citizen, in the crowd of 80 or so.) My
> guess is, though, that if droves of Canadians and Mexicans
> suddenly started applying for membership, the first thing
> these good people would do would be to add "North" before
> "American." Until that happens, it's a little presumptuous to
> ask them to change their name -- like telling the Camino
> Association of Burgos that I might join them, but only if
> they drop the "Burgos."
> >
> > I think the best indicator of the inclusivity of the
> American Pilgrims
> > is
> their intention to hold their 2005 gathering in Toronto, an
> idea that derives largely from a desire to hook up with
> Canadian "Caministas" and existing groups in Toronto, London,
> Ont., Quebec and (are there more Canadian groups out there!
> BC? Alberta? Ottawa? Nova Scotia? Raise your
> hands!)
> >
> > So let your hackles down and quit dissin' the APC! (Or was that the
> > NAPC?)
> We're all on the same Camino, and we can all be proud of
> where we come from.
> > >
> > > From: Karen Mallory <mallkaMTS.NET>
> > > Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2003 09:14:33 -0600
> > > To: GOCAMINOapete.uri.edu
> > > Subject: Re: American Pilgrims on the Camino/Gatherings
> > >
> > > Ah, but note it doesn't say Little "Canadian" Company of Friends
> > > thereby including whomever wishes to belong.
> > >
> > > K
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "Robert Ward" <robertwardaGOSYMPATICO.CA>
> > > To: <GOCAMINOaPETE.URI.EDU>
> > > Sent: Monday, December 22, 2003 11:36 PM
> > > Subject: Re: American Pilgrims on the Camino/Gatherings
> > >
> > >
> > > > Dear Karen. There's no need for the American pilgrims
> to "broaden
> their
> > > name" to include Canadians, when a Canadian group (with
> > > pilgrim-credential-granting rights) already exists; namely, "The
> > > Little Company of Friends." Drop by www.santiago.ca
> sometime and say
> > > hi.
> > > > >
> > > > > From: Karen Mallory <mallkaMTS.NET>
> > > > > Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2003 20:06:36 -0600
> > > > > To: GOCAMINOapete.uri.edu
> > > > > Subject: Re: American Pilgrims on the Camino/Gatherings
> > > > >
> > > > > Perhaps the group should consider broadening their
> name to North
> > > American
> > > > > Pilgrims to include the Canadians who do not consider
> themselves
> > > Americans
> > >
>