What does Americana mean to you?

spectratg

spectratg

Senior Member
Location
Adamstown, MD
Would you agree that the term Americana encompasses material objects, music, people, places, concepts and historical eras which are popularly identified with American culture? Or has the idea become tacky and outdated?
 

To me Americana used to mean freedom and in my head it still does. My ancestors fought and died for it. My relatives fought for it but did not die, luckily. It's Norman Rockwell holidays with family around the table. It's raking leaves in autumn having a conversation with neighbors doing the same. It's playing frisbee with the dog while the cat watches. It's Woodtstock, it's folk music, it's cowboys, it's prairies and sea shores. It's getting along for what we have believed in all our lives that our forefathers bled for. It's everything that makes life worth living. It's good.
 
First is freedom thanks to our service men and women! I slowly see that slipping away. We are told what we can and cannot say,what to teach in public schools, who to like and not like and if we don't comply to this new"normal" we are cancelled." I guess I am "cancelled" then because as long as our service people are protecting this country I will live my life as a free person.

Baseball and apple pie among other things means Americana to me!
 
I'd like a slice of Americana please and yes ...

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I think the things you mentioned, as well as other iconic things, could be encompassed in the term Americana. I've always heard the term "As American as apple pie", for instance. Unfortunately, some ethnic cultural things that have enriched America aren't readily associated with the term.
 
Packerjohn said:
As I am a born and raised Canadian I will not answer this question but I will make 1 point.

I am glad to have them for our neighbours. Look at it from my view point; would you rather have the Chinese or Putin as your neighbour? I hope not. God Bless America.
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I, for one, am very glad to have Canada as a neighbor as well!
 
One of my fave bits of Americana is the 1980 US Olympic hockey team win at Lake Placid...

1980_USA_Hockey_large.jpg

I'm not a hockey fan but boy, we all turned into very devoted fans for those games... even today, seeing clips or pics of this event brings all the emotions and pride back.

BTW, if you remember this fondly and haven't seen the 2004 movie, "Miracle," with Kurt Russell, you need to see it. It was amazing.. seeing the back-story of these guys, Herb Brooks, and reliving that golden moment... priceless.

Here's a link to the making of the movie that gives you an idea of how committed they were to getting it right. It's one of my all-time favorites.
Happy viewing!
 
What is considered Americana?

Americana is any collection of materials and things concerning or characteristic of the United States or of the American people, and is representative or even stereotypical of American culture as a whole.
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Americans fought / died for the freedom of everyone in the world in WWII. That's pretty special, that makes me proud, and a little weepy.
 
OneEyedDiva said:
I think the things you mentioned, as well as other iconic things, could be encompassed in the term Americana. I've always heard the term "As American as apple pie", for instance. Unfortunately, some ethnic cultural things that have enriched America aren't readily associated with the term.
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Yes, cultures have been raped and kidnapped, pillaged and slaughtered. This has happened time and again worldwide, and it's happening now. What have we learned? Nothing. We've got a big stupid fight going on with the past. We must work toward understanding it, accepting it, internalizing it, and moving forward, but we won't do that, so we're doomed to repeat in an endless loop.
,
 
gruntlabor said:
Yes, cultures have been raped and kidnapped, pillaged and slaughtered. This has happened time and again worldwide, and it's happening now. What have we learned? Nothing. We've got a big stupid fight going on with the past. We must work toward understanding it, accepting it, internalizing it, and moving forward, but we won't do that, so we're doomed to repeat in an endless loop.
,
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Well put Gruntlabor and sadly, it's true! :cry:
 
I always thought that the word referred to objects
that were not available anywhere else, they only are
from America, Like native blankets, tomahawks and
totem poles, you might have to add the Colt revolver,
that is American, any small thing made as souvenirs,
of America.

I wouldn't include pop music, or people, only mementos.

Mike.
 
Mike said:
I always thought that the word referred to objects
that were not available anywhere else, they only are
from America, Like native blankets, tomahawks and
totem poles, you might have to add the Colt revolver,
that is American, any small thing made as souvenirs,
of America.

I wouldn't include pop music, or people, only mementos.

Mike.
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Americana: anything re America
 

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