Comments on: “What are you?”

By: Shweta Narayan

Shweta Narayan — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 01:40:27 +0000

I’ve never wanted to ask “what” you are, Nisi, because the answer’s clear to me: you’re a damn good writer who I love hearing and reading :)

Anything else about who you are, that you are comfortable sharing, I do like knowing and I read with great interest. But that’s because I like knowing about people I like and respect, and IMO that’s not the same thing as wanting to find a label, which the “what” questions seems all about.

(And I never get this. I guess my “what” is clear. Instead I get the patronizing “Oh, your English is very good”.)

By: Eileen Gunn

Eileen Gunn — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 23:21:13 +0000

“What are you?” is such a complex question, aside from often being a rude one. The implication, of course, is that you are out of place or out of category in some way, as is the question “Where are you from?” To me, these questions seem normal enough when I am traveling outside the US: I know I am an anomaly. In many places I’ve visited, it’s a common enough way for an outgoing person to start a conversation with an obvious foreigner. I don’t take their curiosity as rude: it seems like a welcome, rather than a slammed door.

When I’m in the US, it’s a more puzzling question. The last time I was asked it, it was by someone I’ve known casually for a few years. I think he had slotted me into a social category, then found that didn’t work, and re-slotted me, and that didn’t work either. He was exasperated that his sort-system had broken down. I love it when that happens.

Ordinarily, though, it’s akin to answering the phone and having some stranger on the other end ask “Who’s this?”

Nisi, I’ve so enjoyed your sojourn here: more formal than a chat, less structured than an essay….

By: Thejudge

Thejudge — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 19:26:19 +0000

Osiyo, you are right, there is nothing mystic or noble about the rez, as far as the new agers are concerned, “I think they use the “Indian” cover to add credibility to their “enlightenment” You know how people view Native Americans, as the humble people at one with the spirits. So if people see them, crossed legged with barefeet and a bandanna, they won’t laugh. Its easier to be named howling wolf in the new age movement than to be Barbara from the Bronx!

By: osiyo

osiyo — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:36:26 +0000

Oh lord..The Cherokee Princess crap. What is it with non Indians wanting to have Indian heritage?? Well, the romantic FAKE heritage anyway. New Agers are THE WORST.

Most of my fathers family live on reservations, and lemme tell ya, it ain’t nothing to boast about. There’s not one damn thing “mystic” or “noble” or “earth mother nature” about it.

What am I? Annoyed, that’s what.

By: Katie

Katie — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 20:16:11 +0000

Thank you so much for your posts!

I hate being asked “What are you?” or “Where are you from?” so much. Because I am Asian, it comes with the baggage of never being American enough – somehow the questioner never seems content with the responses “I’m American” or “I’m from NY.”

By: Foxessa

Foxessa — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 19:04:06 +0000

What are you? Huh?

The short answer: You are a person.

Love, C.

By: Thejudge

Thejudge — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:49:05 +0000

At least they said, “what are you” I once walked into a patient’s room and he said, “I’ve been amongst your people” He assumed I was Ethiopian and was burning to tell me about his days in beautiful Africa. My people are from New York! In fact, they are from Shinnecock Reservation. I hate that, “what are you?” question. Nowadays, I think it is chic to be “exotic” and thus, they see nothing wrong with the question. Especially when they start telling you about their Grandmother being a Cherokee princess……………….eye roll forward…..

By: Nisi Shawl

Nisi Shawl — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 06:30:57 +0000

Josh, that reminds me of another Delany story. He was teaching this class at the University of Michigan in the (19)80s, using Donna Haraway texts and stuff. And I was auditing. And one day he came in really upset because while standing on a corner near campus a car full of white guys drove by shouting racial slurs. But what really riled him up was that they used the wrong slurs. They called him a “kike” and a “jewboy!” Maybe it was the beard….

By: Momsomniac

Momsomniac — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:55:25 +0000

It’s interesting, unknown people in small towns sometimes ask “Where are you from?” as a conversation starter – BUT obviously, if it then goes to “I mean originally” once the answer is given (rather than asking you about Kalamazoo), it was something else.

BUT HELL – “what are you?” is so obviously rude that it stuns me that people even let it come out of their mouths. I don’t get this question much anymore – as I age, I look more and more indigenous to my own eyes, but more white to others. But when I was younger, I used to get it a lot, and since the question OBVIOUSLY implies one is not HUMAN, I often answered, “I’m a Martian.”

You are such an engaging and powerful writer. I will miss your posts too, Nisi. A LOT.

By: Delux

Delux — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:44:59 +0000

Thanks Nisi, I’ve really enjoyed your posts.