Happy Monday!
I've lived in South Georgia for going on 4 years. I like it here. The pace of life is different, its more laid back and I LOVE COUNTRY FOOD! Its soo GOOD! But besides that there is something I have noticed since I've lived here. Its that there aren't many people that are the same color as me. Most that are the same color do not speak English. This has been interesting because most people who see me, start making assumptions especially about the language part of it. As stated earlier my Spanish is somewhat limited. When I go into stores, there have been times when the clerk has not said a word to me. However, once I open my mouth and say "Hello," they will start to converse with me, but its like I have to prove that I speak English first.
Not only has the language thing been an issue but also "what I am" has come into question. You are probably wondering "What?" Let me explain... When you first meet someone we automatically start putting people in categories like..
* Male/Female
* Heterosexual/Homosexual
* Race--- Which is funny because this sometimes is tricky.. Not everyone is Black or White, we do have some in-betweens, like Hispanics/Asians..
So when it comes to the Race part I confuse people, and people will go though great strides to FIGURE ME OUT! So great that they will just plain out ask you. I've been asked if I was Hawaiian and Native American. I quickly tell them "No I'm Mexican"
When I lived in Texas, this wasn't the case, I was never asked what I was, I mean SERIOUSLY! It annoys me that I have to explain who I am. Not only have I been asked but I get LOTS of stares. I will walk into a restaurant and my fiance is White and we get looks, as if we are some "Freak Show". That bothers me too. I hate being stared at. I realize I am Brown and am a little different but I am not much different from you. I may be Brown but I grew up as American as you can get, I love American Food, I listen to English Music--Pop, Rock, Top 40's, Christian etc.
I'm not sure if I am singling out myself on purpose or if there is genuinely an issue at hand.
Thoughts??
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Hi
ReplyDeleteLike your header girl:)
From Norway have a great day.
I just asked all the time, "You're Irish right?" I kindly reply, "No, I am American and my parents are Puerto Rican."
ReplyDeleteDoes it really matter? I used to tell my parents all the time that I am American and they would get pissed off. Duh! They rise me to be American but didn't like that I call myself that.
Now, the public REALLY thinks that I am not Hispanic because my husband looks African American.
When will this ever end.
I think the next time I am asked that question I am going to say, "My name is Amy and I am human."
Thanks for the comments! I really appreciate them!
ReplyDelete@Amy-- I think its hilarious that people will just ask "what you are" as if you are a piece of food or something... I love that idea of saying "I am human" its funny and I may have to use that too!
Take Care!!
You bring up some good points here and I also hate that question. People can never guess what I am because I have many nationalities. It does annoy me how they try to categorize me into a specific race. Since I have many nationalities in my background this always brings a conflict within myself when it comes to identifying myself with legal documentation when they ask for race. Luckily the system has been updated and one can now select that one is from multiple backgrounds.
ReplyDeleteRuthy-- You're right. Its really not fair that in the past you HAD to decide which ethnicity you were. The government is finally taking strides to fix that.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for your comments!! :)
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