Your accent… Are you from here?
Ivan Vazquez, Sacramento, CA. Although I was born and raised in San Diego, CA ; I grew up in a household that comprised of both...
Not overcooked or underdone. Just right.
Lei-Anna Bertelsen, Bozeman, MT. I’ve grappled with this question all my life. My dad told me a story when I was a second grader after...
Where are you from China? Korea?
Anonymous, Aurora, CO As an Asian-American I am typically asked by my peers where I am from, or automatically assume I am either Chinese or...
“Where are you from?” – “Boston.” -” Liar!”
Lex, Syracuse, NY. I’m originated from Shanghai, China, currently doing a PhD at Syracuse University. Unavoidably, I have been welcomed with the question “where are...
Where are you from? No, really
Michael Kenji Yamasaki, Rio Rancho, NM. OBSERVATIONS – Where are you from? No really … Where are you from? I can relate to Mr. Marc...
No, but where are FROM from?
Tina, Birmingham. AL. Nevermind the fact that I speak with a southern accent, that my attire is noticeably of American influence, or that my last...
You’re from? Hmm your pretty tall.
Aaron, Spring, TX In many occasions I am asked, where I am from. This question could be asked in many ways, either with good intent...
Go back to the country you’re from!
Belsy Montufar, Lake Forest, CA As a Hispanic myself, there have been multiple instances in which I have felt too white to be Hispanic, and...
Yes, I really am North African.
Hannah, St. Louis, MO. My mother is from Africa. She has dark skin. My father is Swedish. My mother used to get asked if she...
Where are you from?
Beth Aguirre, San Francisco, CA People outside San Francisco ask me where I’m from. I am a 4th generation Asian – San Franciscan. When I...
But Your Not Really Black
Damme Getachew, Seattle, WA. My parents are from Ethiopia and so I self-identify as Ethiopian. I’m frequently asked “Where are you from?” as if being...
Microaggressions are not innocent benevolent acts
Paula Mays, Arlington, VA People have to realize microaggressions, such as “Where you from?” are just as painful as overt racism.
You’re foreign. Not American. No way.
Franke Santos, Los Angeles, CA. Despite being born in the U.S., speaking only English, and being given a white-sounding name, I am routinely asked “where...
I’m too light, yet too dark!
Lucia Osei Anim, Manassas, VA I am Lucia, I live at Manassas Virginia. I chose those six words because I come from Ghana, West Africa,...
“Okay, but where are you from?
Skylar Blechner, Mineola, NY When people ask me the question “where are you from”, I usually respond that I am a 5th generation Jewish New...
Where are you from? Guess please.
Lilah De Leon, Bellerose, NY It is so funny to hear when people ask what am I, so I like hearing their guesses because there...
