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HelpRe: Something I need to say
in reply to a message by Lillian
It's really not much of a stupid question then if a lot of people have been asking it. Names can get stereotyped such as Jerome or Keisha being black names, etc. I just wanted to make sure. Nothing mystifying. :]
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I never said it was a stupid question, I want to know *what it is* you're trying to "make sure" of
That is my entire point. I never, ever said you asked a stupid question. I want to know why it gets asked. WTF difference does it make? That is mystifying to me. Who says Jerome and Keisha are black names? I know white folk with each of those names. I know black folk named Edward and Elizabeth (and Shoshannah too, while we're at it). I highly doubt anyone has ever told any of them that their names weren't culturally appropriate, or some similar rational-sounding crap. I am trying to understand why the question of "too much" or "not enough" Jewishness comes up at all, much less over and over. What is the aim of attempting to single out the utterly stereotypically Jewish names - is it trying to choose the best ones for the Jewish kids, or trying to avoid them all on all kids not Jewish? Why can't a Jewish girl be named Khadija? Why can't an Italian girl be named Chava? Who makes these rules, and why do we continue to care?
That is what I would like explained.
That is my entire point. I never, ever said you asked a stupid question. I want to know why it gets asked. WTF difference does it make? That is mystifying to me. Who says Jerome and Keisha are black names? I know white folk with each of those names. I know black folk named Edward and Elizabeth (and Shoshannah too, while we're at it). I highly doubt anyone has ever told any of them that their names weren't culturally appropriate, or some similar rational-sounding crap. I am trying to understand why the question of "too much" or "not enough" Jewishness comes up at all, much less over and over. What is the aim of attempting to single out the utterly stereotypically Jewish names - is it trying to choose the best ones for the Jewish kids, or trying to avoid them all on all kids not Jewish? Why can't a Jewish girl be named Khadija? Why can't an Italian girl be named Chava? Who makes these rules, and why do we continue to care?
That is what I would like explained.
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It's the "I just wanted to make sure" that's the problem - Why does it *matter*?
And just because a lot of people ask the same question doesn't legitimize it. That's like if a lot of people ask if they can go to the bathroom on my front lawn, should I ever concede to it. Because, you know, if a lot of people are asking then there's got to be something to it. No, no there doesn't. It's still a stupid question (or in this case, it's still a question that belies a negative opinion.)
And just because a lot of people ask the same question doesn't legitimize it. That's like if a lot of people ask if they can go to the bathroom on my front lawn, should I ever concede to it. Because, you know, if a lot of people are asking then there's got to be something to it. No, no there doesn't. It's still a stupid question (or in this case, it's still a question that belies a negative opinion.)
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I don't think there would be stereotyping regarding Biblical names. But there probably would be if you chose a modern Hebrew name of the kind used first in Israel.
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