Answering the Question, ‘Where Are You From?’

Lisa Alvarez’s Community Essay (“Here Is Where We Are From,” Feb. 1) reminds me of something my younger daughter told me about one of her school days when we were living in Cleveland about three years ago.

At that time, she was a new fifth-grader in a suburban elementary school. One day, a classmate asked her where she was born. She answered, “Columbus.” Puzzled by my daughter’s response, he continued: “Is there a Columbus in China?” “No!” replied my daughter, a little annoyed, “The Columbus down the freeway, our state capital, stupid!”

I have saved Alvarez’s article for my two daughters to answer any further questions about their origin.

KILLIAN P. YING, Associate Chairman, Department of Geography and Urban Analysis, Cal State Los Angeles

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Lisa Alvarez discusses the question, “Where are you from?” in her Community Essay and finds rednecks under the bed.

I am frequently asked where I am from. It is not my race but my lack of American accent that is behind the question. Being human and interested in others, I occasionally ask the same question. I find the question, like people, always well-meant, sometimes irritating, but never--never--racist.

I, too, could say, “Here is where I stay, fated to answer your questions.” But if I felt fated to be here and fated to bear such dreadfully racist questions, I’d be out of here--this being a free country and all. I could say I’m from a country that has freely abandoned the politics of occupation, slavery, exclusion and selective justice. But I don’t see a need to pontificate publicly, even positively. I’m just from Long Beach.

The diversity of the United States is frequently mentioned, and we are encouraged to celebrate it. How can we possibly do that if the diverse among us immediately scream “racism” when a well-intentioned question is asked?

PETER GATEHOUSE, Long Beach