FAQ

One of my most frequently asked questions to this day from any human being is “Where are you from?” Mathematicians might ask for your point of origin, historians might ask for a theme, and other professions might use different jargon to describe this concept. In practice, this question may be extremely cookie cutter. However, in use, it is a foundational block for many conversations and topics that connect our identities. The question “Where are you from?” addresses the importance of new bonds within relationships, in a direct way. However, often I find the answer is rarely direct. For many, the question can mean a variety of different things. For me the question pertains to connection, and other subtle topics that expand upon the original idea, and consequently, is woven into how we identify.

Well, “Where are you from?” Simple right? Upon being asked, many associate themselves with their place of birth. In fact, legislatively you are granted citizenship, and a birth certificate at the time and place of life. And in other instances of childhood, you’ve been embarrassed with baby pictures and stories of young. You even took your first steps in that small town of Marfa, Texas or had your first meal in the big city of New York. But are you born?, for me personally my family moved around from state to state rather frequently. I was born in Desoto Texas, July, 7th, 2007 as the youngest of three. Three years after birth my family decided to pick up and move to Baltimore. There I went to pre-school and remembered my first conscious experience. I remember going on a field trip to the Baltimore aquarium and enjoying my time there creating new memories. Was I born then?

My life there was fun, but in another quick stroke of fortune we moved again. This time to the west coast, forty-five minutes outside of the capital of California. Here, Is where I spent most of my childhood. From participating in sports, to making honor roll (a sort of deans list). I even remember my favorite breakfast restaurant in town. Relationships were developed, and the friendships created then, that still last to this day. I might consider myself to be born here.. Solely from the perspective of connection the bonds created from experiences in Sacramento still reside within me today. But, truthfully I don’t think I can say I am from Sacramento. Too Sacramento, I am from Baltimore. During my 7th grade year we moved 45 minutes away from San Francisco, to a small town called Petaluma. There I finished my 7th grade year and continued to 8th. My 8th grade year covid hit and virtually was the new norm. Connections were different and the way relationships developed over that duration of time was different from anything previously experienced. Ideas, experiences, and beliefs were still woven into this “me”(contributing to where I am from), but this time… maybe the string is a different color.

I personally would not consider myself a Petaluma-ian, due to the invasive nature of my previous upbringing compared to those around me. Many of the kids met during this time period have known each other for years, and may have even started school together. I on the other hand have moved so many times that I have now been accustomed to some of the dissimilarities that come with entering a new space. In that, how the two(I and the stationary kids) see our definitions of home as different. To the kid, I am from Sacramento. To Rice, I am from Petaluma. To Sacramento I am from Baltimore, and From Baltimore I am from Texas, but I don’t know Texas. To me where I am from is not sedentary  In life we  start out as a string, and over time through meeting and experiencing many different avenues  around us that change our perspective, our shirt starts to form. As shirts become more developed we wear destinations like letterman’s. Patches are experiences. We wear those shirts(in many fashions) for ourselves, and for representation of where we have gone. And as we strive to live and learn, our shirts gain more stitches, and more patches. So in regards to the question “Where are you from” I suggest you are everything that is woven within you. A shirt of background, complex experiences, and perspectives.