Why does where you're from matter?

When people ask me where I'm from, I usually say "space" because, come on, that's literally true, isn't it? The earth is floating in space.

I've learned that when people ask me where I'm from, they mean "where is that accent from?" which I hate because it completely disregards any other aspects of my background but one very small and rather superficial one. But then that question takes on a completely different aspect if asked of a person of colour, because even when they're born in, say, Croydon, what they mean is "since you are not of white British appearance, you cannot possibly be from here, therefore I want to establish where you are from."

Such a little question. So many interpretations and intents.

God I have got to stop hanging out at that Tibetan Buddhist monastery. They make me think too hard about these kinds of questions.

  On 1/23/2010 at 6:33 PM, Candiru said:

It CAN mean something, but when people use the "this is where I'm from" shit in their music, it's usually really misrepresented.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2q8q73t-aM