[RajT88]

Some parts of the country you can "become American". My wife is a naturalized citizen from a former colony nation, and some places we travel people make it clear that they feel she is not a "real American" despite almost no accent and having lived here twice as long as where she was born.

[rayiner]

Ironically, DC makes me feel that way the most, where I routinely have to suffer the indignity explaining to people in professional contexts about my “diverse background” while they “ohh” and “ahh.”

[RajT88]

I've heard that complaint from second gen immigrants. First gen don't seem to mind quite as much. (Just my observation - my wife also holds this view)

Performative interest in diversity is condescending and othering. Well, performative interest period can be condescending and othering, regardless of the topic.

[rayiner]

I’m first gen so I actually think of myself as less American than say my wife, whose ancestors came over before the revolutionary war. So I’m not offended that someone might view me that way. I just don’t see the point of making me discuss that in a professional setting. It’s like “dance for us, foreigner!”