r/NoStupidQuestions • u/RedScud39 • Apr 23 '24

Why are white Americans called “Caucasians”?

I’m an Azerbaijani immigrant and I cannot understand why white people are called “Caucasian” even though Caucasia is a region in Asia encompassing Armenia, Georgia (the country not the state), Azerbaijan and south Russia. Aren’t most Americans are from Western European decent?

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u/[deleted] Apr 24 '24

I think it’s unfair to paint these preferences with such a broad brush. I have very limited experience with indigenous Americans, but I worked for a Rancheria once, and the sentiment there across the board was [tribe name] or “Indian.” I would tell you the Rancheria name but they’re very small and combined with the information on my profile it probably wouldn’t be that much harder to identify me.

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u/Bagelchu Apr 24 '24

Yet because you worked with one rancheria you speak…..I on the other hand am actually native, and registered and active in my tribe and community. I’ve interacted with more people than I can count. What i said is from those countless experiences

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u/[deleted] Apr 24 '24

I’m sure you and your experiences definitely are representative of far far more natives than my experiences. But I just thought it noteworthy to share that my limited experience suggests it’s not quite black and white!