You’re not American, are you?
Salah M. Abed, Moses Lake, WA. I grew up in small towns in the Pacific Northwest; I quickly got used to being the only Arab-American....
Race is irrelevant: I’m just HUMAN
Rabab Ahmed, Stamford, CT. “Where are you from?” is a question I used to proudly answer to when I was younger. Although I always had...
But where are YOUR PEOPLE from?
Reed Atlanta, GA “Where is your family from? No, but where are YOUR PEOPLE from? I mean, what is your HERITAGE? Like, your ancestors. I...
You’re not from here, are you?
Hanne Nielsen New Zealand Wherever I go, I’m always from elsewhere. Born in Canada, with Danish heritage, and living in New Zealand, every place assumes...
No. Where are you REALLY from?
Barry M Toronto, Canada This six word combination together with two other six word combos (Are you from Jamaica or Africa? — No. Where were...
I’m Mexican-American, heritage comes first
Bessie King Boston, MA I don’t think I have been offended by being asked “Where are you from?” before. I was raised to know that...
Where in Africa are you from?
Tony Moody Germany I am a retired Military Officer and Civil Service Employee. I live in Germany. A few times people assumed I am African...
I’m Indian-American, I’m from America
Abhishek Mehta Seattle, WA Why is it always assumed that non-whites or non-blacks are from another country first? I’m always asked where in India I’m...
But Where Are You From, Originally?
Christian La Mont Los Angeles, CA It’s just another way of saying, “Well, you don’t look like you’re from Colorado, what nationality are your parents?...
Forever an immigrant in my country
(Ms.) Kamakshi P. Murti Fairfax, VA I have been a citizen of the US for several decades, yet whenever I am in a public space,...
We are all curious. So what?
Keith Gatling Syracuse, NY I’m black and from New Jersey. At least one of those makes me nosy. Or is “curious” the better word to...
Can’t forget; brownness makes me different.
Ananya Kepper Santa Monica, CA I walk around feeling like myself, not like an Indian woman in a sea of white people. It still catches...
Are you sure you’re not mixed?
Jennifer Lindsay Los Angeles, CA I get asked some variation of this on a fairly regular basis, about once or twice a week. The conversation...
No, where are you REALLY from?
Mike Chen Chicago, IL My wife and I were both born and raised in New York. Our parents immigrated from Asia in the 70s, and...
But where are you actually from?
Joel Rodrigues United Kingdom I am ethnically Indian (from Goa), a Portuguese citizen, was born and grew up in Kuwait & Goa, and have a...
