English Composition (Serro and Ethnicity)

Ethnicity has taken on slightly different connotations and now tends to be used to describe people who are often a minority in the country in which they live. People who live in a country that is not their original land often find that they need to reaffirm their identity. For many people, their ethnic identity is an important part of who they are. How are these ideas expressed in Serro's peice? Do you share a similar experience?

Ethnic identity is positively one of the most important aspects of what makes up a persons physical identity. Serro brings this into view by drawing the perspective of  descendants of foreigners living in America. The conversations she discloses to us are somewhat hilarious, and boggling. But however amusing these conversations are I can't dismiss the bitter tone Serro seems to carry. She views questions about her ethnicity as a negative experience that is plainly annoying. She ends her work by practically saying that she feels sorry for Caucasians because they do not know where they are from.

Although I do not get asked what my ethnicity is often, I know I would feel special if I did. I cannot relate to Serro, simply because I have never had an experience like this. I have met a fair amount of white people what their ethnicity is.... and guess what? They knew. I am Caucasian and even I know. I think that everyone wonders where everyone is from. And its a reasonable question at that. It is part of getting to know someone, and can be fascinating none the less.