“Sometimes I do get tired of answering, wondering when, if, I’ll ever be American enough to not invite the question.” So so powerful. Thank you for sharing.
Yesterday, someone asked me where I’m from. And then when I said Louisiana they asked “but why don’t you have an accent?” lol
I could never understand why people get upset with this question..but then, I grew up in the West Indies, the Caribbean, and we loooove to talk. We love to talk about our country, our people, our food. So when a foreigner asks me, I talk, and it doesn’t matter how they try to make a connection, just enjoy it. Ask questions. Share.
I absolutely adore your take on multicultural children's books and the thoughtful way you address the "Where are you from?" question. It's a gentle reminder that we're all continuously learning and unlearning, and that's perfectly okay.
Explore captivating Contemporary, Romance, Thriller & Suspense, Science Fiction, Horror, and more stories on my Substack for FREE at https://jonahtown.substack.com
Thank you, Jonah! Yes, I always think there's so much learning to do (and I'm constantly learning and evolving as well). Glad to hear it resonated with you.
I have been asked many times and it doesn’t bother me. I suppose I am patient that way for this particular topic. I treat is as someone is curious and just trying to learn about me and understand me. If I chose to receive it negatively, the opportunity to educate them and open their eyes goes away. So I stay positive, tell them about me, ask them about themselves. This approach has always served me well and helped me have some great conversations where both sides learn.
You bring up a great point, Andee! Sometimes the way we respond, especially if someone is new to our specific identity, can dictate how they view that group in the future (sad, but true). We do sort of become ambassadors that have to educate/inform. I’m glad it’s led to some interesting, eye-opening conversations for you!
You know, I think people can always tell when a newsletter writer enjoyed writing a post. (Maybe *I* can just tell, as someone who experiences this regularly? Idk. But I think it matters. And your enthusiasm and energy shine through.)
I’d agree with that! And it’s not that other posts/articles aren’t written with care, purpose, and intent but you can totally tell when someone is just having a ton of FUN writing.
I'm in a multicultural part of my city in Australia, and my go to question is, "have you lived in the area long?". It allows people to share where they're from if it matters to them, and I can welcome them to Australia if they're new. And if they've been in the local area longer than me, I can ask for their favourite local places and get to know my area better!
Sri, what a gorgeous response piece. I love where you went with it and I agree with everything you've said here. Your poor friend though - how frustrating!
I don't really get upset either, though I think it could be worded differently. "What is your background?" is much better and more accurate. Asking where you're from, you're going to get that answer. I'm from Toronto. When people don't "get" it, I'll ask them whether they'd accept Madonna's answer of "Michigan" if they asked her. That's where she's from. But her "background" is Italian. As for books, it's old, but I LOOOOOVED that book (thank you, Reading Rainbow!!) as a child. While I'm not ethnically mixed (unless you count that 2% non-Han Chinese ancestry I have (thanks AncestryDNA!!!)), it's a great resource and teaching tool for Japanese, European and American table manners! Something MUCH NEEDED today.
p.s. I'm an author of a kids' book featuring multicultural kids myself: https://ccmauthor.com/
I used to begin each year by having students tell me about one of their favorite places in the world, then we made a map of all their favorite places. I don't do it anymore because I'm afraid it's a little too close to the "where are you from," question, but I did love the chance to learn about countries and places special to my students and their families.
Jenna, what a wonderful activity! I think it’s still a very distinct question from “where you are from.” I imagine you heard some incredibly cool, wonderful, meaningful places. What a great way to get to know them better.
“Sometimes I do get tired of answering, wondering when, if, I’ll ever be American enough to not invite the question.” So so powerful. Thank you for sharing.
Yesterday, someone asked me where I’m from. And then when I said Louisiana they asked “but why don’t you have an accent?” lol
Thanks always for your support, friend. I can't decide between laughing or rolling my eyes at that exchange :)
I could never understand why people get upset with this question..but then, I grew up in the West Indies, the Caribbean, and we loooove to talk. We love to talk about our country, our people, our food. So when a foreigner asks me, I talk, and it doesn’t matter how they try to make a connection, just enjoy it. Ask questions. Share.
I love that. YES, so much of it is cultural as well!
I absolutely adore your take on multicultural children's books and the thoughtful way you address the "Where are you from?" question. It's a gentle reminder that we're all continuously learning and unlearning, and that's perfectly okay.
Explore captivating Contemporary, Romance, Thriller & Suspense, Science Fiction, Horror, and more stories on my Substack for FREE at https://jonahtown.substack.com
Thank you, Jonah! Yes, I always think there's so much learning to do (and I'm constantly learning and evolving as well). Glad to hear it resonated with you.
I have been asked many times and it doesn’t bother me. I suppose I am patient that way for this particular topic. I treat is as someone is curious and just trying to learn about me and understand me. If I chose to receive it negatively, the opportunity to educate them and open their eyes goes away. So I stay positive, tell them about me, ask them about themselves. This approach has always served me well and helped me have some great conversations where both sides learn.
You bring up a great point, Andee! Sometimes the way we respond, especially if someone is new to our specific identity, can dictate how they view that group in the future (sad, but true). We do sort of become ambassadors that have to educate/inform. I’m glad it’s led to some interesting, eye-opening conversations for you!
These are amazing recommendations, Sri!
Thank you, Sarah! I had such a great time pulling this list together 😄
You know, I think people can always tell when a newsletter writer enjoyed writing a post. (Maybe *I* can just tell, as someone who experiences this regularly? Idk. But I think it matters. And your enthusiasm and energy shine through.)
I’d agree with that! And it’s not that other posts/articles aren’t written with care, purpose, and intent but you can totally tell when someone is just having a ton of FUN writing.
Totally. Exactly. (I think it's probably at least a little easier for us because of our subject matter -- but I'll take fun wherever I can get it!)
I'm in a multicultural part of my city in Australia, and my go to question is, "have you lived in the area long?". It allows people to share where they're from if it matters to them, and I can welcome them to Australia if they're new. And if they've been in the local area longer than me, I can ask for their favourite local places and get to know my area better!
That’s so clever! I’m totally stealing that.
Sri, what a gorgeous response piece. I love where you went with it and I agree with everything you've said here. Your poor friend though - how frustrating!
Also, heheheheh, I LOVE Indian food 😅😅
I don't really get upset either, though I think it could be worded differently. "What is your background?" is much better and more accurate. Asking where you're from, you're going to get that answer. I'm from Toronto. When people don't "get" it, I'll ask them whether they'd accept Madonna's answer of "Michigan" if they asked her. That's where she's from. But her "background" is Italian. As for books, it's old, but I LOOOOOVED that book (thank you, Reading Rainbow!!) as a child. While I'm not ethnically mixed (unless you count that 2% non-Han Chinese ancestry I have (thanks AncestryDNA!!!)), it's a great resource and teaching tool for Japanese, European and American table manners! Something MUCH NEEDED today.
p.s. I'm an author of a kids' book featuring multicultural kids myself: https://ccmauthor.com/
I definitely learned my very early table manners from that book! 😅
I really like “What is your background?” That’s a great way to leave it up to the person answering to decide how they want to define that.
I used to begin each year by having students tell me about one of their favorite places in the world, then we made a map of all their favorite places. I don't do it anymore because I'm afraid it's a little too close to the "where are you from," question, but I did love the chance to learn about countries and places special to my students and their families.
Jenna, what a wonderful activity! I think it’s still a very distinct question from “where you are from.” I imagine you heard some incredibly cool, wonderful, meaningful places. What a great way to get to know them better.
Love this topic. We also like this book at our house: "Where are you from" by Yamile Saied Méndez
Thanks, Nam! I love that book too. ❤️
I’m going through the list of children’s books and it looks so good! ♥️