New Post
Search
HelpRe: The judgment makes me uncomfortable
in reply to a message by Ismene
No, I'm not saying that no one can have an opinion on any name. I'm saying that white people should take themselves out of the equation when it comes to African-American names in particular. Yes, I believe that, because of the particular history of race relations in the US. I think white non-Americans in particular may not understand this.
I think I'm more sensitive to this issue than most white Americans because I have a black boyfriend and have always had mostly white friends, and have seen my friends' little smirks and raised eyebrows about his nickname and the names of his younger relatives.
As far as a gut reaction, nobody can really help that, but I think that after the gut reaction should come the non-gut reaction of "I am not part of this culture, and there are particular race-related issues here, so I need to realize that my gut reaction has no validity."
I personally don't judge any name that isn't part of my culture. If it's a foreign name that has become common in my culture, such as the French names Nicole and Danielle, then I do, but otherwise no. Even the name Lars, which was recently asked about, I feel is too far outside my culture to judge. But I don't hold everyone to that standard about names outside of their cultures, for most cultures. It's just white / African-American that I feel strongly should be exempt.
I think that Sir as a name is a reflection of African-American naming culture. If Beyonce had named her son Boo-Boo Bear, that would have been different.
I think I'm more sensitive to this issue than most white Americans because I have a black boyfriend and have always had mostly white friends, and have seen my friends' little smirks and raised eyebrows about his nickname and the names of his younger relatives.
As far as a gut reaction, nobody can really help that, but I think that after the gut reaction should come the non-gut reaction of "I am not part of this culture, and there are particular race-related issues here, so I need to realize that my gut reaction has no validity."
I personally don't judge any name that isn't part of my culture. If it's a foreign name that has become common in my culture, such as the French names Nicole and Danielle, then I do, but otherwise no. Even the name Lars, which was recently asked about, I feel is too far outside my culture to judge. But I don't hold everyone to that standard about names outside of their cultures, for most cultures. It's just white / African-American that I feel strongly should be exempt.
I think that Sir as a name is a reflection of African-American naming culture. If Beyonce had named her son Boo-Boo Bear, that would have been different.
Archived Thread - replies disabled
1