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Help[Opinions] *sigh*
in reply to a message by Shiply
I'm in the U.S. And sadly I do think that Jemima is unusable. I grew up hearing Jemima in connection with Beatrix Potter's Jemima Puddleduck and the girl in "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang." To me it's bright and cheery and friendly. My stock combos for it are Jemima Polly and Beatrix Jemima. I love that it means dove.
But I also know that it's unfortunately got a racial connection here too. So I wouldn't use it for that alone.
"Aunt Jemima," the one on those syrup bottles, is a hold-over from slave / reconstruction days, like Uncle Tom* and Uncle Remus. I'm glad if that image is changing and for younger U.S. audiences all they think of is syrup. Great. But if you ask the African-American community they might have a different take. Still. (At least the ones I talk to do.)
We've had this thread before and I always get blowback for this position. That's fine. I'm older and can remember a lot of things that are happily going away now. But in deference to the African Americans I know (in their 30's and 40's) I would stay away from Jemima.
I think Jemima would work in other countries though, U.K., Australia, Canada, etc.
* I wouldn't say that Tom / Thomas is unusable here because there are so many other associations with the name. But Remus and Jemima aren't so lucky. :-(
But I also know that it's unfortunately got a racial connection here too. So I wouldn't use it for that alone.
"Aunt Jemima," the one on those syrup bottles, is a hold-over from slave / reconstruction days, like Uncle Tom* and Uncle Remus. I'm glad if that image is changing and for younger U.S. audiences all they think of is syrup. Great. But if you ask the African-American community they might have a different take. Still. (At least the ones I talk to do.)
We've had this thread before and I always get blowback for this position. That's fine. I'm older and can remember a lot of things that are happily going away now. But in deference to the African Americans I know (in their 30's and 40's) I would stay away from Jemima.
I think Jemima would work in other countries though, U.K., Australia, Canada, etc.
* I wouldn't say that Tom / Thomas is unusable here because there are so many other associations with the name. But Remus and Jemima aren't so lucky. :-(
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