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HelpRe: Middle name question about appropriation
in reply to a message by PrincessZ
Personally, I would not use them. There are many names in different cultures that I love, but I consider both the importance of the name (e.g., spiritual like Cohen) or if it belongs to a group that still faces discrimination in my country* (the US, like Asian Americans). A name might be seen as quirky or unique when on a white child while the names on those minorities are made fun of or people don't try to pronounce them.
*I don't know much about British culture, but a quick google search is showing me that there is certainly racism towards Asians over there.
❤ http://www.behindthename.com/pnl/146182 ❤
*I don't know much about British culture, but a quick google search is showing me that there is certainly racism towards Asians over there.
This message was edited 11/1/2020, 2:47 PM
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Replies
This!
I was struggling to figure how to put into words what I wanted to say about the topic but you touched on it.
Cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation are two different things. Cultural appropriation requires something from the culture to be sacred to that culture, and there are many cultures where certain names or all of their names are spiritual and sacred. Not too long ago there was a user whose native name was in the database and it was a unique name and she requested it be removed for spiritual reasons. Being able to define what is spiritual requires you to have knowledge of that culture and I think since you admit you don't know much about native culture your only action is to identify individuals from the Sioux culture who have knowledge about their naming practices and learning more before deciding to use a name like Winona. I admit I don't know if the Sioux have sacred and spiritual practices behind choosing names.
Now lets talk about cultural appreciation. You could use a name like Sakura if you understand the naming culture in the country and understand that you are using it to honour such a practice since there is no spiritual or sacred attachment to the name Sakura. But you must understand the naming culture. Some names are strictly used by Buddhists or Shinto practitioners and provided to children by those monks or priests in naming ceremonies. I couldn't name them for you though, as I don't know much about their naming practices.
I was struggling to figure how to put into words what I wanted to say about the topic but you touched on it.
Cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation are two different things. Cultural appropriation requires something from the culture to be sacred to that culture, and there are many cultures where certain names or all of their names are spiritual and sacred. Not too long ago there was a user whose native name was in the database and it was a unique name and she requested it be removed for spiritual reasons. Being able to define what is spiritual requires you to have knowledge of that culture and I think since you admit you don't know much about native culture your only action is to identify individuals from the Sioux culture who have knowledge about their naming practices and learning more before deciding to use a name like Winona. I admit I don't know if the Sioux have sacred and spiritual practices behind choosing names.
Now lets talk about cultural appreciation. You could use a name like Sakura if you understand the naming culture in the country and understand that you are using it to honour such a practice since there is no spiritual or sacred attachment to the name Sakura. But you must understand the naming culture. Some names are strictly used by Buddhists or Shinto practitioners and provided to children by those monks or priests in naming ceremonies. I couldn't name them for you though, as I don't know much about their naming practices.
This message was edited 11/1/2020, 3:17 PM
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The racism is mostly towards those of Muslim faith and those from countries known for their Muslim population (eg India and Pakistan) so while you're right, the racism balance is overwhelmingly tipped towards South Asia (and I mean OVERWHELMINGLY). It's difficult to know where the line with this is
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