I recently read a post from a former colleague about how there exist correlations of racism because people don't know how to pronounce names anymore, or better still, they don't take the time to properly pronounce a person's name.
I wonder first, where's the data on that. Low inference data. Anyone?
Is it peer reviewed or is it a part of the #gatedinstitutionalnarrative ? Here, stand in a round room and find a corner. Never mind us, we're just going to laugh while you try.
See, in my experience, mispronouncing names is fairly common the world over. Just ask Mr. Garvey. Take me for example.
I have no idea the origins of my name. If you were to base it on my skin color, you might draw one conclusion. If you are a part of my tribe, you could draw another. If you heard one of my students speak to me, you may be confused by their familiarity.
I've been called ; jerry, Gary, jarhead, garret, jerrid, Jarrod, parrot, ferret, carrot, Janet and many variations with ensuing consequences - some of which were bullying, but I never felt the sting of racism from my peers, whatever their skin color.
All through my French language training, I took the name Jerôme, because I liked Prince and his associates from Morris Day and The Time. Is that cultural appropriation? I sure hope so, those boys could dance!
As some of you may know, I've worked 90% of my profession with children of homeless families, migrant children, refugee children, children of African descent, children of West Indian descent, children of Latin and Hispanic descent, and a few white kids.
My name was often said through gritted teeth, sometimes in derision, and then I was privileged to hear Jarrito, Señor Tiburon, Filo, Filoso, Pichòn, Wedo, Gringo, and a smattering of other nicknames associated with the meaning/pronunciation of my name in Spanish. Some terms that are derogatory, but not racist in my view.
Some of my early students really thought I was Mr. Shark and hence Sr. Tiburon. Some of my co-workers would whistle, hum, and sing the Tiburon song when I walked past.
As a child wrestler, I often heard announcers do their best and still massacre names of my fellow wrestlers who's heritage was Spanish or Native American.
As a coach, I worked hard to help my fellow coaches and announcers get the names correctly spelled, first, and then pronounced. All with varying results.
None of them correlated with racism. None of them caused by racism.
I never went to the trouble to create pronunciation guides, and I'm glad I didn't. Albert Pujols can tell you that 'Poo-holes' isn't his name.
One of my Army Instructors, SFC Devilevicencio, only wanted us to know that they first 5 letters of his name spelled D-e-v-i-l. Point taken.
My ancestry is fraught with names that can be a challenge for even the most experienced tongues and internationally literate. Try getting Nossaman, Gildersleeve, or Macht off the pallet properly.
How about we have enough round rooms in which to run around.
Let's get to know one another. Let the quality of our character inspire a greater learning about one another. How about we love one another.
In the mean time, if you're interested, my name is pronounced Jhe-rr-eht. I think.
Better yet, just call me J.
Onward!
Dr. J
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