this is about my common app essay. it is not yet complete and I need help on the last part
For the past 17 years, I have fallen victim to wearing the infamous scarlet letter. It stuck to me, made itself presentable to those around me, and for my primary school and secondary school years, even invoked judgment. It has made me fit the parameters for the stereotype of one ethnicity and not another, therefore, because of it, I am Indian and not Caribbean.
According to the majority of people I have encountered, I am an Indian: I get high scores on tests, I take advanced classes, I have a darker-than-tan skin tone, and I fit the facial features of an "Indian" girl (especially the nose, I've been told).
"Are you Indian?" they ask with beaming confidence.
"Nope," I reply with a sheepish smile.
Some then even have the nerve to ask, "Oh, but you're from somewhere around there, right?"
Sure, if the West Indies count as somewhere near India.
Finally, when they give up, or if they give up I should say, since after a few failed attempts some of them remain relentless in bringing to light my supposed "middle-eastern/south Asian" ethnicity, I spill the beans.
"I'm from Trinidad," I reveal.
Some immediately recognize the features, while others continue the interrogation with "What part of India is that in?"
Sigh
When the message finally reaches through, it is faced some with denial, but by all with awe.
It's always a cycle, broken down into four simplistic stages: interrogation, persistence on incorrect assumption, revelation, and then amazement.
More often than not, the once accusatory person then shows understanding.
But, why? Why is there so much misunderstanding for the majority in understanding my background?
Excluding physical features, what else would make them think I am Indian? Is it the advanced placement classes of which I am would not be considered Indian, a member of the small few, or even the only person of color?
The reason of why a plethora of people have questioned my ethnicity, I may never know, especially out of failure on my part to return interrogation. I do know however, that this confusion on the subject of my race has opened many doors, acted as a conversation piece to many people of which I never would have spoken to before. Could a common inquiry intended towards me, once negatively connotated, that once made me cringe have been a blessing in disguise?
Now, rather than dread the inevitable question of the majority, I welcome the once bothersome question. I have realized that there is more than just one way to look at a situation: perception is based on point of view. Not only has this learned concept applied to the previous situation, it teaches me to recognize seemingly unfavorable circumstances as its once-perceived opposite that can be used to my advantage, like a happy accident, creating a serendipitous situation.
Not only do others use my dubious ethnicity as their style of approach, I have learned to use it as my method of striking up a conversation as well... well, not as boldly as confidently assuming the ethnicity of another, but by using one's ethnic background as a justification for a first interaction. By doing so, I have commenced hundreds of conversations, in turn, formulating beneficial relationships with those I would have not spoken to otherwise, whether it be not spoken to sooner or at all.
Although the only listed countries on my birth certificate include the United States of America and Trinidad and Tobago, most likely for the first few seconds before an encounter with someone new, I am Indian.
For the past 17 years, I have fallen victim to wearing the infamous scarlet letter. It stuck to me, made itself presentable to those around me, and for my primary school and secondary school years, even invoked judgment. It has made me fit the parameters for the stereotype of one ethnicity and not another, therefore, because of it, I am Indian and not Caribbean.
According to the majority of people I have encountered, I am an Indian: I get high scores on tests, I take advanced classes, I have a darker-than-tan skin tone, and I fit the facial features of an "Indian" girl (especially the nose, I've been told).
"Are you Indian?" they ask with beaming confidence.
"Nope," I reply with a sheepish smile.
Some then even have the nerve to ask, "Oh, but you're from somewhere around there, right?"
Sure, if the West Indies count as somewhere near India.
Finally, when they give up, or if they give up I should say, since after a few failed attempts some of them remain relentless in bringing to light my supposed "middle-eastern/south Asian" ethnicity, I spill the beans.
"I'm from Trinidad," I reveal.
Some immediately recognize the features, while others continue the interrogation with "What part of India is that in?"
Sigh
When the message finally reaches through, it is faced some with denial, but by all with awe.
It's always a cycle, broken down into four simplistic stages: interrogation, persistence on incorrect assumption, revelation, and then amazement.
More often than not, the once accusatory person then shows understanding.
But, why? Why is there so much misunderstanding for the majority in understanding my background?
Excluding physical features, what else would make them think I am Indian? Is it the advanced placement classes of which I am would not be considered Indian, a member of the small few, or even the only person of color?
The reason of why a plethora of people have questioned my ethnicity, I may never know, especially out of failure on my part to return interrogation. I do know however, that this confusion on the subject of my race has opened many doors, acted as a conversation piece to many people of which I never would have spoken to before. Could a common inquiry intended towards me, once negatively connotated, that once made me cringe have been a blessing in disguise?
Now, rather than dread the inevitable question of the majority, I welcome the once bothersome question. I have realized that there is more than just one way to look at a situation: perception is based on point of view. Not only has this learned concept applied to the previous situation, it teaches me to recognize seemingly unfavorable circumstances as its once-perceived opposite that can be used to my advantage, like a happy accident, creating a serendipitous situation.
Not only do others use my dubious ethnicity as their style of approach, I have learned to use it as my method of striking up a conversation as well... well, not as boldly as confidently assuming the ethnicity of another, but by using one's ethnic background as a justification for a first interaction. By doing so, I have commenced hundreds of conversations, in turn, formulating beneficial relationships with those I would have not spoken to otherwise, whether it be not spoken to sooner or at all.
Although the only listed countries on my birth certificate include the United States of America and Trinidad and Tobago, most likely for the first few seconds before an encounter with someone new, I am Indian.