Hi @Berserkerant! Thank you for reading and for your question. The '*' has a few different intentions here that can all be summarized as the desire to acknowledge this phrase was intentionally a bit tongue in cheek, and an enormous generalization on all sides.
Specifically, I wanted to provide a point of reference that would be accessible for readers ('just like Americans,') but also wanted to acknowledge that by describing Afghans in comparison to Americans, it reinforces the idea there is a specific definition of Americans, of Afghans, that it's okay to make Americans the 'default.' I think most importantly, I was trying to convey the intonation when no one can actually hear my voice 😂.
What does the asterisk mean/refer to?
Afghans, They’re Just Like* Americans!
Hi @Berserkerant! Thank you for reading and for your question. The '*' has a few different intentions here that can all be summarized as the desire to acknowledge this phrase was intentionally a bit tongue in cheek, and an enormous generalization on all sides.
Specifically, I wanted to provide a point of reference that would be accessible for readers ('just like Americans,') but also wanted to acknowledge that by describing Afghans in comparison to Americans, it reinforces the idea there is a specific definition of Americans, of Afghans, that it's okay to make Americans the 'default.' I think most importantly, I was trying to convey the intonation when no one can actually hear my voice 😂.
Hope this is helpful!