https://padlet.com/delcalvo/r4j9lfje1f9a7235 Where are you from? (This is a loaded question!) Answer the question in 3+ sentences. Things to think about: where your parents/ relatives/ guardians grew-up; what neighborhood you grew up in; how you would respond if someone asked you. TAKE A photo that represents your feelings in response to this question. This should feel complicated... en-us 2023-01-18 17:14:24 UTC 2023-03-09 01:13:24 UTC hello@padlet.com delcalvo https://padlet.com/delcalvo/r4j9lfje1f9a7235/wish/2448683235 I've always thought about where I'm from. I think a lot of this stems from things my parents told me when I was growing up. From birth, or nearly, my parents told me I was "half-Filipino and half-Cuban." This was a core part of my identity. Yet, at the same time, I grew up in towns that were decidedly neither of those things culturally. In fact, both of the towns where I grew-up were, would aptly be described as, "American," or people that to me seemed like they had come to this country long before my family. While I lived in those places I would never say that I was "from" there, since those places didn't really connect with who I am or even who I wanted to become. At the same time, I still consider myself a Californian (and a New Yorker!). I know that many people would see this as a contradiction. It probably is. ]]> 2023-01-18 17:16:25 UTC https://padlet.com/delcalvo/r4j9lfje1f9a7235/wish/2448683235 https://padlet.com/delcalvo/r4j9lfje1f9a7235/wish/2449075471 The first thing I would probably say if someone asked me where I was from would be New York City. If someone were to dig a little deeper I'd maybe tell them that my family is made up of Polish and Ukrainian Jews on my Dad's side and Syrian Jews on my mom's side. A good old Sephardic Ashkenazi mix! But I don't really feel connected to any of that, to be honest. When I'm with my grandma and I eat Syrian Jewish desserts I'm like hey that's pretty neat.]]> 2023-01-18 23:24:49 UTC https://padlet.com/delcalvo/r4j9lfje1f9a7235/wish/2449075471 https://padlet.com/delcalvo/r4j9lfje1f9a7235/wish/2449075636 I am from southern Maryland. Maryland, nicknamed the "old-line state," has a rich history as one of the 13 colonies and played an influential role in the American Civil War. As a Marylander, I have a lot of pride in the history of my state, especially the flag (although it served as the inspiration for the confederate flag). I feel as if another african-american were asked this question, they would be left with confusion due to little connection to any ancestral homeland. Maryland, more specifically southern Maryland, often fills this hole for me. I love the DMV culture and slang which is engraved in my hometown of Waldorf (which actually isn't a town for some reason)]]> 2023-01-18 23:25:07 UTC https://padlet.com/delcalvo/r4j9lfje1f9a7235/wish/2449075636 cyang83 https://padlet.com/delcalvo/r4j9lfje1f9a7235/wish/2449075900 I don't really mind answering the question. I grew up in culturally/racially diverse schools with lots of 1st gen kids. I felt pretty secure in that. When I did/do encounter the loaded version of the question, I'm happy to answer Maryland or whatever and I'm also willing to tell them that my family is from Southern China and Inner Mongolia if they clarify that's what they mean. The question depends on relationship and often says more about the asker. ]]> 2023-01-18 23:25:39 UTC https://padlet.com/delcalvo/r4j9lfje1f9a7235/wish/2449075900 jpugsley1 https://padlet.com/delcalvo/r4j9lfje1f9a7235/wish/2449075904 The only place I'm really from is West Philly. It's the only place I've ever lived and I have much more in common with anyone on the street in my neighborhood than someone in Korea. But being "un American" is still central to my identity because even if I've never lived in Korea, it's infused into all my ways of thinking and acting and treating others. Even if I was raised in the same place as all my neighbors, I was raised on a different set of cultural values. Sometimes I get called foreign, which feels wild to me but it's so in the norm for me. ]]> 2023-01-18 23:25:40 UTC https://padlet.com/delcalvo/r4j9lfje1f9a7235/wish/2449075904 https://padlet.com/delcalvo/r4j9lfje1f9a7235/wish/2449076078 I had a neighbor on my old block ask me this question. 

I told him: "I've been in West Philly for a few years." 

Then he said, "Nah, where you from??"

So I went into detail - Texas, came up here for school, like it more so that's why I stay. As a white person, I completely get it. I'm a young professional living close vicinity to several universities in a big city; it's obvious that I may not have grown up in West Philly.

I don't take offense to the question, but because of conversations like this - where many people of color have their nationality perpetually questioned  - I certainly hesitate to ask others. I do wish it wasn't perceived that way, but that's out of my control, so the best I can do is hold my tongue, even when I'm curious.]]> 2023-01-18 23:26:01 UTC https://padlet.com/delcalvo/r4j9lfje1f9a7235/wish/2449076078 https://padlet.com/delcalvo/r4j9lfje1f9a7235/wish/2449076084 I always tell people I am from Connecticut, the greatest state in the union and from New England generally. I'm very proud of my New England heritage as it is the best region in the country and can never understand why people think other places are better. I grew up in a middle class suburb called South Windsor outside of Hartford; my Mom grew up in East Hartford, the next town over while my Dad is from Long Island. If people were asking my heritage or ancestry, I hail from an Italian immigrant family though I have more of my Dad's German/Irish heritage]]> 2023-01-18 23:26:02 UTC https://padlet.com/delcalvo/r4j9lfje1f9a7235/wish/2449076084 ggw1 https://padlet.com/delcalvo/r4j9lfje1f9a7235/wish/2449076111 I love this question because one of my absolute core identities is being a Philadelphian. My most authentic and genuine self is a reflection of the neighborhood I grew up in (West Philly) & my place in that space is something I guard closely. It was not until I went to college in the burbs that I realized that *not everyone* was from Philadelphia (which speaks to the bubble I lived in). Philly is special to me being from here is the CORE reason I am working to be an educator for Philadelphians. ]]> 2023-01-18 23:26:06 UTC https://padlet.com/delcalvo/r4j9lfje1f9a7235/wish/2449076111 https://padlet.com/delcalvo/r4j9lfje1f9a7235/wish/2449076160 I have two main answers to this question. The first is San Diego, because that is where I spent high school, where most of my closest childhood friends live, and where my immediate family currently lives. But I also say North Carolina sometimes, because that is where I was born even if I was only there when I was a tiny lil baby. Lately, I've found myself answering more and more with a third answer. Since coming to Philadelphia and feeling pressure to justify why I picked here of all places, I've been saying that my relatives all live over here on the East Coast]]> 2023-01-18 23:26:12 UTC https://padlet.com/delcalvo/r4j9lfje1f9a7235/wish/2449076160 https://padlet.com/delcalvo/r4j9lfje1f9a7235/wish/2449076612 "I'm from Earth. How about your?" (lol)

I grew up in California, but in a number of ways Colorado is my second home. I have a material level of sentimental attachment to both places because, in several ways, they represent places where I became an "adult". Conversations about me, generally, stem around the environments I call home in California, and how (since then) I have been fortunate to travel the country/world so "earth" feels much more like home to me. ]]> 2023-01-18 23:27:02 UTC https://padlet.com/delcalvo/r4j9lfje1f9a7235/wish/2449076612 https://padlet.com/delcalvo/r4j9lfje1f9a7235/wish/2449076995 I'm from the suburbs of Philadelphia. My parents both grew up in the suburbs and my grandparents grew up in philly and then moved to the suburbs. I guess it has just always been that way. My great grandma came to philly from scotland. My family is big and all 6 of my dads siblings also live near me. Always surrounded by family and love. Whenevever my kids at school as me where im from im like "oh the suburbs" and then they make fun of me because they say its "classic" lol. What comes with the suburbs though is privelage and a lack of diversity.. which at a young age i didnt get until i grew up a little. ]]> 2023-01-18 23:27:48 UTC https://padlet.com/delcalvo/r4j9lfje1f9a7235/wish/2449076995 https://padlet.com/delcalvo/r4j9lfje1f9a7235/wish/2449077148 I grew up in Baltimore. I was raised by orthodox Jewish parents. My maternal grandfather is the son of Lithuanian/polish immigrants. My maternal grandmother is the daughter of Norwegian immigrants but born in Canada. My paternal grandfather was born and raised in Iraq. My paternal grandmother was born and raised in England by Iraqi immigrants. Am I middle eastern, european, american, Jewish, white, all of the above? ]]> 2023-01-18 23:28:08 UTC https://padlet.com/delcalvo/r4j9lfje1f9a7235/wish/2449077148