“Fabricated Identities: A Closer Look at the Creation of Two Pseudo-Ethnicities”

In recent years, there has been a growing trend of individuals identifying with and claiming to represent pseudo-ethnicities, often resulting in misinterpretations and misunderstandings within the community and beyond. This phenomenon is not unique to any particular group or region, and a more in-depth examination of two such fabricated ethnicities has revealed intriguing insights into the motivations and circumstances surrounding their creation.

The first of these fabricated ethnicities is that of the ‘Nordicist’ community. Although often associated with individuals of European descent, a more accurate description would be that of ‘ethnically unaffiliated individuals of European ancestry.’ The ‘Nordicist’ label stems from 1920s-30s racial science ideas, specifically those of Hans F. K. Gunther from Germany that attempted to categorize people based on their ancestry in a manner that often resulted in an exaggerated distinction between supposed ‘Nordic,’ ‘Alpine,’ or ‘Mediterranean’ groups.

However, in today’s contemporary discussion the ‘Nordicist’ label seems primarily to symbolize an adherence to some European cultures as opposed to being an actual ethnically defined group. The supposed distinctiveness this label confers is often used to convey an affinity for ‘Aryan’ or ‘Caucasian’ cultures, which have been associated with these terms historically. These labels have no actual, universally accepted definitions and thus should not form the groundwork of an identity that an individual claims to subscribe to.

Another fabricated ethnicity is that of the ‘Afromestizo’ community. The term ‘Afromestizo’ is used in some Latin American countries such as Panama and Ecuador to signify a mixed black or indigenous and white population. However, the modern use of ‘Afromestizo’ primarily seems to refer to ‘those who claim an African descent within the U.S. or other non-hispanic regions’ regardless of whether this descent is known to them personally or not. The identity associated with this label emphasizes a ‘black’ cultural identity, which can be at odds with the original Latin American cultural associations.

While the motivations for claiming pseudo-ethnic identities can be diverse, ranging from personal interest to social belonging purposes, their legitimacy and implications have significant consequences for both individuals and communities. Understanding the constructed nature of these fabricated ethnic groups is crucial in promoting cross-cultural understanding and minimizing misconceptions.