Order, Spit, and Discover

I was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, yet my parents are originally from Puerto Rico; a commonwealth of the United States of America.??

Due to my naturally tanned skin, when I meet someone for the first time, the question of my ethnicity usually comes up and the conversation goes something like this.

Stranger: “So where are you from?”

Me: “Chicago.”

Stranger: “Yes, but where were you born?“

Me: “Chicago.”

Stranger: “So where are your parents from?”

Me: “They’re from Puerto Rico.”

Stranger: “Both?”

Me: “Yes.”

Stranger: “So you’re Puerto Rican?”

Me: “Well, I’m American of Puerto Rican descent.”

Stranger: (quizzical look for a moment)?“So,...do you prefer Hispanic or Latino?”

Me: “American.”????

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had this conversation.?The concept of race and/or categories has never sat right with me.? Anyone who has taken the time to understand the history of Puerto Rico knows that like many other countries or islands, it's racially complex.

That said, I decided to do a DNA test through the 23andMe website.?This is a website where you order, spit and discover, literally.? Order the kit, submit a saliva sample, and discover your ‘roots’.??

The results??Well, just as I had suspected; I’m all over the place.?Take a look.

Wow! What complexity!?I’m sure if you did your DNA test you’d be amazed as well. If I were to go by this DNA data, I’m not Puerto Rican, I should be in the European category!??

My point in sharing this is to remind us all that, much like a salad, we’re all ‘mixed’.?

This is a reminder that categories are just labels.? A region, location, or place of origin should not define you.??If you insist on having a category, may I suggest...'human being'.

In the end, it’s not where you’re from, it’s who you are!??

Victor Antonio