Why does the narrator feel uncomfortable when Amina’s aunt asks, “So, Michael, where are

Question

you from?”
The narrator…

“I mean, I'm from here. I was born in Philadelphia,” I start, but I know what she’s
asking. And it’s not like this is a bad thing; it’s just hard sometimes. “But I’m Palestinian.”
[71] Amina’s entire family erupt in oohs, looking at one another around the table.
[72] “When did your family move here?”
[73] “Are they first generation? Second?”
[74] “From where in — ”
[75] “That’s, um… ” I look to Amina again, and she’s physically wincing. “That’s a little
more complicated, I guess? I’m adopted? I don’t know that much. Anything, really.”
[76] There’s an awkward beat of silence, and I look around the table for something,
anything, to talk about other than this. It’s never easy. Being… this, on the outside, but
feeling entirely different inside. I’m not the person people see, and I never know how to how to talk about

Answer 1

The narrator feels uncomfortable when Amina’s aunt asks, “So, Michael, where are you from?” because the question touches on complex issues of identity and belonging. Although the narrator was born in Philadelphia and considers it their home, the aunt's question implies a deeper inquiry about ethnicity and cultural background. The narrator recognizes that the discussion will lead into their Palestinian heritage, which they find challenging to articulate, especially considering their experience of being adopted and their lack of knowledge about their own birth family's history.

This discomfort is compounded by the awareness of how others perceive them. The narrator feels they are often seen as "other," and this disparity between their external identity and internal experience creates a sense of alienation. The moment becomes even more delicate as they notice Amina's physical reaction, suggesting that the topic is awkward or potentially sensitive for her as well. The narrator's struggle to communicate their background—alongside their feelings of being an outsider—highlights the complexity of their identity and the fear of judgment or misunderstanding from others. Thus, the combination of personal discomfort, cultural expectations, and the feeling of being different leads to the narrator's unease in this situation.