Hyphen-Canadians

You know what I hate? It's hyphen-Canadians, though I suppose you could make a pitch for whatever nationality you wish.
What is a hyphen-Canadian? It's someone who says they are: Italian-Canadian; Indian-Canadian; German-Canadian even French-Canadian... or again, pick your country and add a hyphen before Canadian.
It's someone who is afraid to be simply a Canadian.
To me, that's just wrong.
I love Canada. As a visible minority, people often look at me and see everything except that I am Canadian. It's why when I am asked what I am, I always say I am a Canadian.
I was born in England to Indian (dot not the feather) parents, but moved to Canada when I was still three-years-old. As such, I have little in common with England - except I love Monty Python, British humour in general and have a respect for the monarchy. I also love football (soccer) and cheer for them in the World Cup.
India? While I may look like I'm from India, I've never been there. I don't speak any of the dialects or languages. I don't really hate or love the cuisine.
I am not Indian or English, no matter how hard I try or am told I am.
I am Canadian.
And perhaps because of that, I hate people who say they are Canadian but add the hyphen.
I know many people who have, when asked, state they are "Italian-Canadian", as an example. Really? Were you born there? No, they tell me. Where were you born? Canada.
Okay... but what is always the most damning thing is when I ask if they have ever been to their supposed country of origin, and they tell me "No." So how the fargging hell are you Italian or Hungarian or Dutch or Japanese?
It's like people are afraid to admit they are Canadian! It pisses me off!
The United States of America - love it or hate it - may have a lot of countries around the world hate it - but I'll tell you one thing... they are Americans first and foremost. And for that, they have my utmost respect.
Okay... the U.S. does try and differentiate itself with the African-American moniker, just like Canada has French-Canadians... but I hate the African-American term. It presupposes that all Blacks in the U.S. are African.
Don't give me that crap that Blacks are at one point in time from Africa, because by that same token, everyone on the planet is originally from Africa... unless you are a Creationist - and I'm sure you have an explanation - please share... I'd like to learn.
But really, no Black American when asked what nationality they are is going to say they are African-American - they will answer with pride that they are American!
The Japanese are proud of their country. The Germans and French are too.
Why not Canadians? Why do we have to be stupid hyphen-Canadians?
Canada has long been called a melting pot, where people from other countries are welcome. And Canada is like that, but it sure isn't a melting pot! This melting pot doesn't actually have a lot of melting going on.
I'm unsure who created the term "Hyphen-Canadian" - it could have been me, I've been using it for 30 years to bitch about people afraid to be Canadian, but it wasn't.
You know what I hate?
Hyphen-Canadians