In response to “American Muslim woman faces Islamic stereotypes” by Jumanah Saadeh:
I thought about this question, “Where are you from?” I am from Mt. Clemens, Mich., where my family thinks you are to be born, live and die. My family background is coming from Scotland to England to Canada and finally the U.S. My voice is like my mother’s, slow and sure. I have been asked over and over because of my voice, “Where are you from?” I have even been asked by a doctor, “Have you had a stroke?”
I also have some German Lutheran background and went to a Lutheran school. I heard much abut how Germans had to stop speaking German during the war. My husband is a Lutheran pastor and because of his clerical collar our children were asked, “Why is a priest picking you up?” Once I [was with] him at a gas station and the attendant said, “The priest paid for your gas.”
I brought up the subject at Newcomers of Ann Arbor and we agreed that our first question is “Where are you from?” It doesn’t mean we don’t like you. Ask me about my values and beliefs. I don’t believe the same as you or wear the hijab, but if you do, wear it proudly, and by the way, “Where are you from?”
