tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9181533216875568450.post2546934947148367538..comments2024-03-01T00:50:54.460-08:00Comments on Plain Jane Activism: My Name is Not SueMae Suramekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01782021107361247495noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9181533216875568450.post-32818105199531262452013-09-02T15:52:53.687-07:002013-09-02T15:52:53.687-07:00Brought here by a friend's Facebook link, I wa...Brought here by a friend's Facebook link, I was doing some hardcore creeping on your amazing blog and came across this post. I cannot express how similar my feelings are about the sheer laziness of some people to simply try to say a person's name correctly. From personal experience, it's infuriating! When I moved from Zimbabwe and started 11th grade in NKY, frustrated and hurt by the childish comments and giggles by the "Future of America", I gave in and began introducing myself as Kerry (a childhood nickname occasionally used within my family). I introduced myself as such at Carter G. Woodson Weekend but when I finally escaped high school and began at Berea, I reclaimed my name. If someone had trouble pronouncing it I would gently correct them or tell them "it sounds like Aruba except with a K and a V". I was surprised at how many people commented on how beautiful my name was and asked me what it meant (Little Flower, btw) - of course I still get some who say things like "what a weird/strange/odd name" - ummm...what do you expect me to do with that comment?! Lol. When people I knew pre-Berea saw me, most of them began calling me Karuva and and would apologize if they slipped up and used Kerry. I didn't really mind but their effort meant so, so much to me. According to legend (my mother), the first time my late father held me as a baby, he said "Karuva kangu" (my little flower) and thus was I named. I am now deeply in love with my name rather than being afraid of how it will out me as a foreigner or be the butt of a joke. So, yeah, in summary: it is never too late to reclaim your name.<br /><br />All the best, <br />Karuva Laura Emma KasekeKaruvaKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07612321736671857349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9181533216875568450.post-3149759895695032852013-08-23T19:27:21.770-07:002013-08-23T19:27:21.770-07:00I agree with all of this goodness, Melissa!I agree with all of this goodness, Melissa!Mae Suramekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01782021107361247495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9181533216875568450.post-56179458704041066492013-08-15T05:39:55.645-07:002013-08-15T05:39:55.645-07:00Names are so important. I make an effort to alway...Names are so important. I make an effort to always get it right. Even if I have to ask a question to ground it in my mind (does it mean something?), associate it with something familiar or even have the person repeat it to me several times and I repeat it back. I HATE it when the people at customer support (obviously not americans) tell me their name is John or Susan.....I cringe. We are very ethnocentric in this country. I am grateful to have had a parent in the military and the experience of living in other countries. I think this would open people's eyes a lot if everyone did this for a year or two while growing up.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17763739263588855248noreply@blogger.com