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HelpRe: So if I were to follow your above statements
in reply to a message by aussiechic04
I didn't say you did- it's just a common thing that does happen and I don't think noting that it could cause confusion is really so much an "opinion" as an observation. I was more replying to the direct reply about how it meant you couldn't have an opinion on any name from another culture on a name opinions board. To me, an opinion is a bit more a statement on whether you personally like that name. For example, with the name Jethro, I could state that it does have an association with the Beverley Hillbiliies (observation) but I could also state that I dislike it because it sounds really country and stupid (opinion). For the name Latoya, I could state that it has an association with Latoya Jackson (observation) and then a common white perspective would be to say it sounds 'ghetto' or 'trashy' (opinion).
I'm not saying you did that at all but in response to your comment about having opinions on names, I do think there is a very big difference between me having an opinion on a name historically used within white culture like Jethro and me having an opinion as a white person on a name that has come to be used in African-American culture. I can make an observation but I don't think it's okay for me or anyone outside of the culture to have an opinion on an African-American name. It does not matter whether or not I like the name 'Sir'- I can definitely make the observation that it could be a confusing name to have- but not an opinion whether it is 'good' or 'bad'.
I hope that makes sense :)
ETA: I think there is also baggage that comes with opining on African-American names that is racially based. For example, the whole 'ghetto' or 'trashy' opinion on many of them comes from the association of black people in poorer areas, which in itself is due to institutionalized racism and the fact that the civil rights movement was so recent and that many are still not treated as equal members of society.
I'm not saying you did that at all but in response to your comment about having opinions on names, I do think there is a very big difference between me having an opinion on a name historically used within white culture like Jethro and me having an opinion as a white person on a name that has come to be used in African-American culture. I can make an observation but I don't think it's okay for me or anyone outside of the culture to have an opinion on an African-American name. It does not matter whether or not I like the name 'Sir'- I can definitely make the observation that it could be a confusing name to have- but not an opinion whether it is 'good' or 'bad'.
I hope that makes sense :)
ETA: I think there is also baggage that comes with opining on African-American names that is racially based. For example, the whole 'ghetto' or 'trashy' opinion on many of them comes from the association of black people in poorer areas, which in itself is due to institutionalized racism and the fact that the civil rights movement was so recent and that many are still not treated as equal members of society.
This message was edited 7/18/2017, 4:34 PM
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Replies
I appreciate you taking the time to reply.
I still stand by anyone having (and giving if they choose) an opinion on any name on a name opinions board, that's what it is for - to share opinions, impressions, observations, experiences etc. etc. on names.
I try (probably don't always succeed) to give constructive/useful opinions, not simply deride a name, and will continue to do so.
I still stand by anyone having (and giving if they choose) an opinion on any name on a name opinions board, that's what it is for - to share opinions, impressions, observations, experiences etc. etc. on names.
I try (probably don't always succeed) to give constructive/useful opinions, not simply deride a name, and will continue to do so.
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Do you think it's okay to have an opinion of "I like/do not like this name" without saying it is good or bad, or do you think opinions of any sort on African-American names should only be held by African-Americans?
This is a very interesting topic to me. I've been thinking a lot about cultural appropriation, and this ties into it. It's given me many things to ruminate on.
This is a very interesting topic to me. I've been thinking a lot about cultural appropriation, and this ties into it. It's given me many things to ruminate on.
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I think we all have initial responses of "I like" or "I don't like," it's just important to analyze WHY you have that reaction. And usually, when you have a reaction of "I don't like that" to a 'foreign' name it's because some part of it is not native to you- so you haven't been exposed to it enough to have a truly objection opinion.
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That makes sense. I think maybe these gut reactions can also be based in racism. Not just "I dislike the sound" but "I dislike it because it is trashy". It can lead down a dangerous path, like we just discussed.
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