Living the Past in the Present: An Ethnographic Study of Norwegian Americans’ Expression of Identity in Minneapolis

The study of American identity has generally been concerned with the concept of hyphenated identity, a dual identity of sorts. The Norwegian-American identity is a clear example of a hyphenated identity. This thesis will offer some perspectives on the American identity construction in general and the Norwegian-American in particular. A focal point is how the Norwegian-American identity is maintained in contemporary USA. This thesis is based on five and a half months ethnographic fieldwork conducted in Minneapolis, Minnesota, among Norwegian Americans. Moreover, this thesis explores how Norwegian Americans express their heritage in a public setting. This performance is first and foremost observed at public events such as club meetings, luncheons, functions and church coffee, but also other social settings. Norwegians are an old immigrant group to the US, but despite how they are several generations removed from the Norwegian immigrants they still hold on to their Norwegian heritage and traditions today. Minneapolis is home to a plethora of different Norwegian-American clubs and organizations, and this is predominantly where the fieldwork was conducted. The Norwegian-American identity is often conveyed through cultural elements such as food or clothing, which are essential elements in expressing a hyphenated identity. These cultural elements are often perceived to be traditionally Norwegian, although they may in reality not be, as they become affected by the American culture. The main focal point of this thesis is concerned with how preserving and maintaining a Norwegian identity is key in reinforcing their bonds and identities as Americans. The methods that they use to express their Norwegian heritage are inherently American, as is their ways of thinking about a Norwegian-American identity