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What are You?


Here I am,
 
sixty-eight.

You still ask.


Not what my name is,

not whether I am from here,

nor even how I know those you also know. 


No.


What matters,

what gives you satisfaction

is letting me know that you know what I am. 


“Are you Chumash?”


No, Lady.

Deduct a point from your score.

Peace and love. 

-30-


Sharing with Friday Writings hosted by Poets and Storytellers United.

Comments

  1. I do get the point , and it's well made – but now I am wondering what the heck a Chumash is!
    Yrs truly, ignorant Aussie.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Rosemary. Chumash people are a native tribe who have lived around the central coast of California since forever.

      Delete
  2. Recognizing each other simply as humans .... the world needs it especially now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It’s great that people are curious about others’ backgrounds but not so great if they’re only interest is getting it right about what ethnicity I am. May they those people grow up.

      Delete
  3. Some people. When I get asked, I have no idea what they're talking about, and that makes for an interesting conversation. (I suffer from white privilege.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree, some people. When we were quite young, my brother once told me we’d make good spies because nobody could figure what we are, lol.

      Delete
  4. Yes well said about the absolute entitlement of some... I got different versions (some genuinely curious, some harsh, all ignorant) of that during my time in America, all condescending presumptions about someone else's life!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I admit I got satisfaction seeing surprised arrogant faces when they learn my homeland is a once rural town in California.

      Delete
    2. I remember that expression - usually starts when I respond in English :)

      Delete
  5. I get you. There are those who are surprised that I am not from China.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yup. I suppose we could be glad that some people are curious about others who don’t look like them. :-)

      Delete
  6. I looked up Chumash. I was going to say Artist!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I wish I could say I can't relate. But that would be fibbing. Besides, it's good--even nice--to share the frustration...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It does. Something we can groan and laugh at together. ❤️

      Delete
  8. There was a line from a weird but wildly funny show called Galavant, where a character referred to herself as a cute, short woman of ambiguous ethnicity and I had to pause the TV to laugh my head off. I related to that as much as I relate to this. I've gotten used to feeling a bit like Gonzo the Great (OK, clearly a muppet, but what sort of muppet?) It is really, REALLY, tiresome to get those sorts of questions and then work my way through more tiresome follow up questions until I can make my escape.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. When I was asked that the other day, my friend responded before I could say anything. It was just as well. Sarcasm was strong with me that morning. lady didn’t hear me say something like If you want me to be, go ahead.

      Delete
  9. I am ... a human being, a mother, a wife, a friend, a gardener, a blogger, a sister, a spouse, a neighbor, a volunteer ... I try hard to really see another person, to be genuine when I ask them "How are you today?" Isn't this what others should focus on?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Precisely, Angie. I’m not knocking people down for their sincere interest in my ethnic background, as long as it’s part of knowing me. And, not in a patronizing or dismissive manner.

      Delete
  10. I can't understand why that question would be uppermost in someone's mind.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Some kind of bet with herself, maybe. lol. The question Mama got was “How old are you?” Her reply was always, “100.” Then later she’d turn to me and ask why do they ask that, which essentially was her way of saying “Have they no shame?”

      Delete
  11. This painting represent so much. That we should all just see each other has humans. Very powerful. Have a lovely day today.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I like the painting...people with no eyes, only mouths, all open at the same time. Stupid Questions Day--in some crowds it lasts all year...

    ReplyDelete

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Thanks for the good cheer. :-)

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