Explore the profound meaning of names and their ties to spirituality and identity. Robert Beckford grapples with the legacy of his slave surname and its implications. Delve into the transformative power of name changes across cultures, especially for those in the Dalit community in India. Hear personal stories within the Black community that highlight the emotional weight carried by names rooted in oppression. Discover how reclaiming names can serve as a powerful act of identity reconstruction and a way to honor heritage.
Robert Beckford explores the spiritual implications of his enslaved surname, considering whether to change it for a more authentic identity.
The podcast highlights name changes as a form of personal and political liberation, allowing individuals to escape historical stigma and reconnect with heritage.
Deep dives
Exploration of Identity
The episode delves into the complex relationship between personal identity and naming practices. The speaker, Robert Beckford, confronts the implications of carrying a surname linked to a historical figure known for enslaving his ancestors. This exploration raises questions about the significance of names and whether they serve to define or confine one's identity. Beckford seeks to understand if retaining this name is spiritually beneficial or whether change is necessary to reflect a more authentic self.
Cultural Context of Names
The dialogue highlights the importance of names within cultural and social frameworks, particularly in the context of the caste system in India. Anderson Jeremiah shares his experience with name change as a means of escaping stigma associated with caste identity. The podcast emphasizes that names can carry historical baggage, and altering one’s name may represent a personal and political liberation. Through Jeremiah's perspective, listeners learn how names can symbolize both oppression and the quest for new identities within various cultural narratives.
Redefining Heritage
The discussion culminates in a broader reflection on how reclaiming a name can be an integral part of personal and communal healing. Esther Kosayi explains her own journey of renaming as a form of reconnecting to ancestral heritage and asserts the spiritual significance of names. The episode concludes with Beckford deciding to retain his last name but marking it with a strikethrough to signify its contested nature. This decision represents a blend of honoring history while challenging the legacies of oppression, shaping a new narrative for future generations.
Personal names have spiritual and religious meanings in the Christian tradition. But what if you carry an inherited surname that you feel is profoundly unchristian? Should you keep it or change it? Robert Beckford is going through this dilemma. His surname is a slave name, a brand of ownership passed down from his enslaved African ancestors in Jamaica. Over time, Robert has grown deeply uncomfortable with the meaning of this name and now wants to find a more spiritual alternative. Robert embarks on a journey of self-discovery, considering whether he should change or keep his inherited name.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode