When I was young, kids used to ask me

what are you?

I'd tell them what my mom told me: 

I'm an American.

CHIN CHIN CHINAA, You are a JAP!

Flashing hot inside, I'd go home. 

My mom would say

Don't worry. She that walks alone, 

walks faster.

People kept asking me

what are you?

and I would always answer: I'm an American.

They'd say: No, what nationality?

but there was always someone asking me

what are you?

Now I answer: I'm Asian.

and they say: why do you want to separate yourself?

Now I say: I'm Korean.

and they say: don't you know this is the greatest country in the world?

Now I say I'm part of the Korean American community,

and they say: if you don't like it here why dont you go back?