Personal Narrative: You Re Daniel Quinn

Although I've spent the majority of my life on Long Island, I spent the first 6 years of my life living in Queens, NY. It's where I was born, and it's helped shape who I am since before I was born. Queens is the most culturally diverse county in the United States and therefore one of the most diverse places on the planet. Close to 50% of it's residents are foreign born and over 120 different languages are spoken in the largest borough of New York City. Most people refer to the US as a melting pot, but I believe it's more like a big patchwork quilt. On the edges of the patches within the quilt, however, is where you see the colors begin to bleed together. It's within those interior borders where you'll find a Dominiquinn. It's a term my father coined. When told his Latino kids are not Quinns, he replied "They're absolutely Quinns, they're Dominiquinns.

I’ve learned to answer the question “You’re Daniel Quinn?” in ways that elicit smiles and laughter from people. I’ve also learned to recognize the funny look on the faces of people before they ask, “Is that you’re dad?” But as a Dominiquinn you learn to adapt to a number of different situations. You learn how to fit in at the beaches and country clubs of Long Island as well on the stoops and in the schoolyards of Queens and the streets of Washington Heights. You learn to dance merengue and also sit in on a traditional Irish music session. Living with this cultural dichotomy in my own life has also made me appreciate the cultural differences in