Ahjussi, I Too Am an American

This past summer, I was able to attend Yonsei University in South Korea. Although my Korean is limited, I was able to converse with native Korean speakers while exploring the country. While I was there, older Koreans were more open to asking me questions about myself and willing to share their perspectives. On my way back to the airport to return home, I had an interesting conversation with the taxi driver who was a middle aged man also known as an Ahjussi in Korea. After he heard I could speak Korean, kept asking me questions about my ethnic and cultural background. Although his comments were not always appropriate, I could tell he was being genuine and was really confused.

Ahjussi, I too am an American

I AM MEXICAN

I AM AMERICAN

I Live In America

No I don’t have BLUE eyes

No I didn’t dye my hair, it’s BROWN  

Yes my hair is curly

Please don’t touch it.

I’m also MEXICAN

No I’m not from Mexico

No I don’t speak Mexican

I speak Spanish

No I’m not from Spain

I’m Mexican American

NO I DON’T SPEAK FOUR LANGUAGES: ENGLISH, KOREAN, SPANISH, AND MEXICAN  

MEXICAN IS NOT A LANGUAGE…

it’s not Mexican it’s Spanish…

…it’s also not Korean but 한국어 {Hangul}

Ahjussi, We Minorities are Americans too