A name is simply a proper noun. Yet, in some cases, it’s a reflection of a person’s historical and cultural lineage. Even still, names have greater meaning beyond being a noun, a projection of a profession or the summation of one’s lineage. My name, Nasya, has been mispronounced for most of my life. Its meaning, miracle, remains a testament to my parents’ faith and love for me.
While UT is a diverse campus, minority groups on campus are outnumbered by their white counterparts. Those with non-Western names find themselves diminished by stereotypes. More often than not, people of color are minimized in places that do not reflect them, and their names and the meanings they hold are erased and forgotten.
”It’s become so important to me to preserve my native language and culture, and that includes making sure my name is honored the way it’s supposed to by saying it correctly,” public policy junior Nandita Kumar said.
Nandita’s name is from one of the oldest languages in the world, Tamil, and the preservation of that language is central to her culture.
Some students may find themselves having to accept their names being mispronounced and find themselves with nicknames they did not consent to. Students should not have to hide behind a name that does not properly reflect who they are. This erasure of identity has risen from misconceptions that are often projected upon a person. These misconceptions often include assumptions based on race, class and intelligence.
“The convenience to me is not worth erasing all of these decisions that led parents to come up with the important reasons … to name somebody these things,” said Matthew McGlone, a professor of communication studies.
McGlone recalls students who tried to make it “easier” for professors to speak to them by changing their names to ones common in Western society. Although the students do it as a courtesy, they subsequently erase their cultural identities.
People who have names that are common in Western society are more likely to secure an interview and a job than those who do not. A name should be an ode to heritage, not synonymous with a lack of opportunities.
Computer science freshman Milagros Cruz said her name means “Miracle” and describes it as powerful. She said her siblings’ names also come from the Bible and demonstrate her family’s culture and faith.
Names are evidence of the love that makes up our families, and they are the identities of all of those who came before us. Though they may shape others’ perspectives of us, they also allow us to forge our own unique paths in the world.
Within the UT community, the little things that students do and say, such as taking the time to learn someone’s name, can be the difference between uplifting and tearing down students’ self-confidence.
In addition to students, faculty must set an example by learning how to say their students’ names. The UT community must show their peers the simple respect of saying their names correctly. Students, take the time to acknowledge your peers, no matter who they are. Break away from your cliques and speak to someone new. Advocate for yourselves and others in the numerous student organizations on campus.
“Challenging the misperceptions that arise can create a more inclusive environment in the classroom,” McGlone said.
Challenge those around you, and make sure they say your name right.
Thomas is a journalism freshman from Beaumont, Texas.
