EthnicNewz.org first published the following essay on Jan. 16, 2008.

Who are you?

The question should be simple enough. It should trigger an automatic response of your name or an important cause, something that sets you apart from the others.

But to me, that question always makes me hesitate. When once asked to describe myself in a paragraph or less, I had hastily written, "the girl burning up next to the radiator," all the while wondering what the real answer was.

Growing up Vietnamese in an American lifestyle has always left me a bit confused with who I really am.

I've always felt like I was being pulled in two directions: the quiet, obedient Vietnamese girl and the loud, headstrong American.

Trying to balance these two acts have been like creating a tower out of cards, hoping that my next move won't disrupt the feeble structure already constructed.

All my life, I've wondered what it would be like to be Vietnamese or American, instead of Vietnamese-American. Would my interactions with others be different? Would my circle of friends consist of different colored faces? Would the way that I conduct myself, both at home and in public, be true to who I am instead of flip-flopping around?

My life, I've recently realized, can be compared to cake, consisting of two main kinds: the fruit cakes from Chinatown and the chocolate cakes teeming in Downtown. Both are delicious, both coveted and, coincidently, located right next to each other.

The only question now is: Which one should I choose?

Que Chi Nguyen, 16, is a junior at Boston Latin Academy.

source: EthnicNewz.org

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