Affirmative Action Unnecessary?

[wolf]

If a name represents actual ethnicity, that's one thing. My own first name is ethnic. It's the faux African names that are completely absurd. I know quite a few Africans. They have strange and exotic first names, like Jacob, Thomas, and John. All of them, by the way, think that Kwanzaa is the dumbest thing they ever heard of.

[DanaC]

"Sibohan" is a rather difficult name for your average American to get right on the first try.

I've never seen it spelt that way. I have only seen it spelt 'Siobhan'.

Mercenary, I see your point and I suppose it's a fair one. But....that suggests that the onus of responsibility is on the ethnic population to change who they are, rather than on society (and employers) to stop being racist.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by DanaC

I've never seen it spelt that way. I have only seen it spelt 'Siobhan'.

Mercenary, I see your point and I suppose it's a fair one. But....that suggests that the onus of responsibility is on the ethnic population to change who they are, rather than on society (and employers) to stop being racist.

I think it is unfair to ask any ethnic group to change who they are. Than is an impossible and unrealistic expectation IMHO. I would suggest that assimilation and opportunity for future generations is hindered by a desire to exclaim ethnicity through names that few can pronounce and open an individual to an unfair situation. I blame parents. You will never stop society from being racist, that is another pipe dream IMHO. This will never be a utopian society.

[Aliantha]

People should name their children whatever the hell they want. For christs sake, it's a fucking name.

It's a parents responsibility to teach a child how to deal with biggots and racists if they happen to have a child with coloured skin or if they choose to give their child a non white name.

I can't believe this is even a topic of conversation.

As to African people having 'white names', I don't suppose anyone thinks they got those names because of missionary influences in their native country? I seriously doubt a tribal woman from africa gave birth and said, "I think I'll name my son John" out of the blue.

Names are names. They say something about who you are and where you come from. Keep your name and your heritage and stand your ground! If everyone just caves in to the biggots of society nothing will ever change.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by Aliantha

People should name their children whatever the hell they want. For christs sake, it's a fucking name.

It's a parents responsibility to teach a child how to deal with biggots and racists if they happen to have a child with coloured skin or if they choose to give their child a non white name.

I can't believe this is even a topic of conversation.

As to African people having 'white names', I don't suppose anyone thinks they got those names because of missionary influences in their native country? I seriously doubt a tribal woman from africa gave birth and said, "I think I'll name my son John" out of the blue.

Names are names. They say something about who you are and where you come from. Keep your name and your heritage and stand your ground! If everyone just caves in to the biggots of society nothing will ever change.

Go for it. I say let them have at it. But don't be surprised by the consequences.

[Trilby]

I think everyone should name their children what ever the hell they want to, too.

Just don't get pissed off when a non-native speaker has trouble with it.


My name is not 'usual' for these parts--neither my first nor my last. I don't get my panties in an uproar when people around here don't 'get' my name. I don't except them to 'get' it. It's a difficult name and I am more than happy to spell and sound it out for them.

If you want to give your child a unique or ethnic name, be prepared to deal with the consequences.

[Spexxvet]

Originally Posted by Brianna

...
My name is not 'usual' for these parts--neither my first nor my last. I don't get my panties in an uproar when people around here don't 'get' my name. I don't except them to 'get' it. It's a difficult name and I am more than happy to spell and sound it out for them.

If you want to give your child a unique or ethnic name, be prepared to deal with the consequences.

Do your job applications get trashed because of your name?

[Aliantha]

Exactly. My oldest son has an ordinary sounding name, but the spelling is different because it's the letters of my Nana's name changed to make a boys name. He was named for her, but I couldn't really call my son Edna. The only people I get pissed off at for spelling it incorrectly are close family members who know that he's named for our Nana.

[Trilby]

PS--

many of our devoted dwellars simply love a good panty uproar no matter what the reason--I don't judge.


I simply let wedgies be wedgies. I suppose, to some people, a wedgie feels gooooooooood.

[Aliantha]

Who's surprised?

[Aliantha]

I'd give up if I were you Spex.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by Aliantha

I'd give up if I were you Spex.

Good idea, you should quit while I'm ahead.

[Spexxvet]

Come on, you know the answer....

[piercehawkeye45]

I agree with Mercenary on the removing the names and pictures from applications.

The biggest problem is that minorities are born into poor families and are disadvantaged from that. Racism and classism are being molded into one beast. If we can work on the elimination of classism, racism will go away as well.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by piercehawkeye45

Racism and classism are being molded into one beast. If we can work on the elimination of classism, racism will go away as well.

The problem with that solution is the proponents of elimination of classism find the solutions in wealth redistribution. I will have no part of that under any circumstance. Taxes are a form of wealth redistribution and more taxes are not a solution. Socialist forms of society are not going to cut it here.