Asking someone where they’re from, who their family is and who claims them isn’t lateral violence. We have every right to know who we’re bringing into our circles. I was raised to always answer these questions as it tells someone who I am and I’ll ask the same from someone else.

And it’s okay to say you don’t know! It’s okay to say that you’re learning or trying to find out! But if you’re claiming something that you’re making no effort to learn about, ask yourself whether you’re trying to be part of the culture, or exploit it for personal gain.