Speaks Out

Published: Friday, January 29, 1999

Friday, January 29, 1999Speaks Out

Many of us often hear questions that shed doubt on our identities - "So, what are you?" or sometimes, "Where are you from?" This week we decided to find out how people answer these questions. How do you define, identify and see yourself?

"I'd first define myself as a Muslim. And then anything else after that. Yeah, I'm from Pakistan. Then it would be that I'm American. I was born here, even though a lot of people don't see that when they see me. But I identify myself by my religion first because it means everything to me. It's my way of life."

Saima Ahmed

First-Year

Undeclared

"I am American, but I'm of Mexican background. My parents are from Mexico. When I say I'm Mexican, people don't believe me because I'm not dark-skinned. They think if you're white, you can't be Mexican. But I have dual citizenship - from Mexico and America. Plus, I'm Jewish. That's my religious identity."

Eytan Elterman

Second-year

Sociology

"I'm African American. But I'm a human being, too. I'm NaTina Gurley. I don't necessarily need race to define me, but I won't ever forget where I came from or what my heritage is. I'm not from Africa, wasn't born there, never been there, but my people were from Africa. I was born in America, though. So, I'm African American."

NaTina Gurley

First-year

Physiological science

"I don't define myself in terms of race or religion or anything like that.

I never really think of it. I just see myself as a student here, trying to do well - nothing really physical. Race and ethnicity just don't play an important role in my life."

Dory Schachner

Second-year

Psychology

"I'm really proud of being Vietnamese. I'm an immigrant. I've lived here most of my life, so I consider myself basically American. But I'm still proud of my roots. My nationality is probably most important to me, more than being a Californian, or being from Orange County, or anything like that."

Peter Pham

Second-year

Physiological science

"My father is black.

My mother is Latina. I say, though, that I'm a minority. Either way I go - black or Mexican - I'm a minority. I grew up with my mom, so I have a lot of Mexican tradition in me, but my father is black, so I also consider myself being black."

Earl Watson

Second-year

Undeclared

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