Last name Smith? But you’re Asian.

Trish Broome
Baltimore, MD

My father is white and my mother is Korean, so I grew up with my father’s last name, Smith. On the first day of teaching orientation they called my full name, Patricia Smith, so I raised my hand. I clearly remember the woman sitting next to me say, “You’re Patricia Smith? But you’re Asian.” I politely smiled and continued with my day. I thought it was funny, and loved that I wasn’t what people expected. I’ve always valued being different and unique, and now that I’m married and my new last name is Broome, I can continue to confuse people (and be amused by their reactions)!