Consider This from NPR Finding Power In Reclaiming One's Name
Apr 23, 2022
Jean Guerrero, an LA Times columnist and author of Hatemonger, shares her insightful journey of reclaiming her name's Spanish pronunciation after years of letting others mispronounce it. She emphasizes how names carry cultural heritage and identity, especially for immigrants. The podcast highlights the emotional struggles tied to language and the societal pressures to conform in an English-dominant environment. Guerrero illustrates that reclaiming one’s name is not just an act of personal empowerment, but also a resistance against hate and a celebration of pride in one's roots.
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Maz Jobrani's Name
- Comedian Maz Jobrani shared his experience with people mispronouncing his name.
- He uses humor to correct them, hoping it sticks.
Changing Names to Fit In
- Lovie Ajayi-Jones and Tiffany Aliche changed their names as children to fit in.
- Aliche's father allowed her and her sisters to choose "easier" names.
The Power of Names
- Changing names can be a way to protect one's true identity.
- For others, using their given name is a source of power.
