I am taking a course "Language Diversity in Education". Most of the students are Americans. In today's class I found that so many classmates are struggling with their identities. "Where are you from?" is a tricky question to the people whose parents or grandparents immigrated. An oriental looking student said that she usually answers "I'm from Philadelphia." Then, she will be asked "Where did your grandparents come from?" She identifies herself with American, so she hates to be asked this question.
On the contrary, according to a student from NY, New Yorker will answer "I'm from Italy" or "I'm from Puerto Rico." even though they cannot speak Italian or Spanish. Although my classmate from NY says "I'm Puerto Rican" in the US, she said "I'm American" when she traveled to Puerto Rico. That's an identity paradox. (I do not know it's a right term.)
Another student said that he's Hispanic (He looks white). He went to a White-dominant elementary school. While he was in the school, he changed his name which sounded like White, because his real name embarassed him. After he graduated Secondary school, he started using his real name.
On the contrary, according to a student from NY, New Yorker will answer "I'm from Italy" or "I'm from Puerto Rico." even though they cannot speak Italian or Spanish. Although my classmate from NY says "I'm Puerto Rican" in the US, she said "I'm American" when she traveled to Puerto Rico. That's an identity paradox. (I do not know it's a right term.)
Another student said that he's Hispanic (He looks white). He went to a White-dominant elementary school. While he was in the school, he changed his name which sounded like White, because his real name embarassed him. After he graduated Secondary school, he started using his real name.
