There is nothing wrong with being curious… and asking someone, “Where are you from?” can seem like a very innocent question but it can quickly turn into a microaggression.

Why?

• It reduces someone’s identity to group or a culture and that can trigger feelings of alienation.

• It carries implicit assumptions about ethnicity and nationality and often, it translates into: You don’t seem to belong here.

Despite not having a malicious intent, we can do better:

·       Listen to what someone wants to willingly share

·       Work on your unconscious bias and try not to put someone in a box based on what you believe are themarkers of said identities.

·       Apologize if you hurt someone, even unintentionally.