If I was black, I wouldn't name my kids "black" names, coz I wouldn't want people sterotyping them, woud you?

Question

For example, if you name your girl Lakeisha and she submits a resume to somebody who is in a position to hire her and that person chooses to call a girl named "Jill". Now Jill might also be a black woman but Lakeisha lost out on an opportunity because of this racist person.

Sure it was wrong what that person did, but my point is a black child is going to have enough difficulties getting along in a society that has some serious race issues...why make it more difficult by attaching a name to that child that makes it that much more difficult for them?

I know this question is a study in stereotype...that's the point. Why make a black child who already faces an uphill battle also carry a 500lb ball?

Answer 1

Another solution is to disregard race, and name our children whatever we please. Hoonestly, I find Jill to ordinanry, but Lakeisha? Now that's a beautiful name. Unique, too.

Answer 2

Hmm its a difficult one isnt it? Personally I think Lakeisha is a beautiful name. Whereas my name is Julie.. which is incredibally plain, boring and ordinary. I think its depends where you live? The ideal would be for everyone not to be racist, and people should be employed on their ability to do the job with colour having no part in this.

But thats idealist and easy for a non racist person to say! In reality racism does exist. (But it goes both ways I feel)

I can see your point. If I lived in a racist area I think I would also want to protect my kids my not allowing people to stereotype them because of their perception of their name. Times change though? So you cant win! You may call them a plain boring name...then find that in 16 years time people with lovely exotic sounding names are being positively perceived? And the Jills and the Julie are being negatively discriminated against??

Good luck..Its a thought provoking question

Answer 3

Oh wow, i won't be able to think of of adequate names that initiate with the comparable letter that i like! a million Clayton Alexander 2 Albert Reid 3 Vincent Bradley 4 Thomas Henry 5 Franklin Pierce 6 Douglas Elliot 7 Rose Elizabeth 8 Claire Annmarie 9 Lucille Faye 10 Vivian Pearl Clay, Alby, Vince,Tommy, Frank, Doogie, Rose, Claire, Lucy and Viv. (frequently family names)

Answer 4

You are only looking at this situation in the present day. Think 18 years in the future when they will actually be applying for jobs. If you haven't noticed, anything goes with names nowadays. Meaning that the name stereotyping will be a thing of the past within the next generation.

People are taking more risks with names. When I was in school, there were many kids named John, Matt, Michelle, Jamie, Robert, etc. I don't know anyone who has given their kids such "normal" names within the last ten years. People are looking for unique and different names. I don't believe employers in the future will be able to "weed out" certain ethnicities simply by reading a person's name.

Answer 5

It is a very good point and if you aren't a strong black couple your child probably won't be either so giving them a black name very well may cause them some problems later in life. But I think that giving them a black name is a very good way to help give them pride in their race and gives them a unique edge. If you raise them to raise hell when you are treated wrong then they will get that job, and the job of the man/woman who wouldn't hire them due to the color of their skin or the name on the paper.

Answer 6

There has actually been studies based on this theory. I believe 20/20 did a story on this a few years back about people with "ethnic" names getting passed over by people with more "whitened" names. I found a PDF file based on a study found at the University of Florida. Though the study is based on a theory of children with creative, "black" names and their socio-economic status, it could play into why employers may think they way they do.

Personally, I don't care for many of the black names anyways. Though I wouldn't name my child something that would predict they're "easy" or "stupid."

Answer 7

Personally I wouldn't want to work at a place that would weed out names that sounded too "exotic".

I would name my child a name that I thought fit them, that was unique. I could see wanting a name that reflected my heritage - just like Russian people use names like Misha (for Mike) and Sasha (for Alex). I'm not African-American, but I could see naming my child Lakisha because I think it's a pretty name. Maybe that's what we should work on - diversifying our names so that everyone isn't Jennifer/Tiffany or Anthony/Matt/Andy.

I think following your argument just sort of gives in to the racism and says that the victims should try to assimilate and pretend not to be what they are, instead of saying that a place like that should not exist. (I'm not saying it doesn't - just that we should work to change THAT aspect of the problem- not the names).

Also, given your argument someone should name their kid a gender neutral name -since some people are sexist. So "Jill" would be weeded out but maybe not Dana/Alex, etc.

Answer 8

I think this is some real BS. Those in positions to discriminate against a person because of their name should not hire anyone. Why should a person have to think about a name for their child, that may prevent them from professional growth? We should stop limiting ourselves and change societies racist views.

Answer 9

Typically, those names represent something in black culture, at least that's how my black friends have described it to me. So, it totally depends on the person. Some want to embrace that culture, and others don't care so much. And, I've also met some whiteys with "black" names, so I'm not so sure when I hear a name like that what race the person is.

Answer 10

Ok "black" names? This is the 21st century and if people have a problem with stereotyping people, based on their name, then they need to reevalute themselves. Yes, there are some crazy names out there, but choosing to not name your child b/c you think they'll be stereotyped is kind of ridiculous. That's like me saying that I don't want to have kids because I don't want my kids to experience prejudice or feel like they're being stereotyped b/c they're black (or anything else that will be stereotyped).

Answer 11

In your example if Jill is also black and she gets the job how is that being racist?

Most "racism" is how you perceive things. When you go to the store and get bad service it isn't necessarily because you are black. You are just being treated like everyone else. If you get 9 chicken mcnuggets instead of ten it isn't because you are black. If your car runs out of gas it isn't because you are black. Your perceptions color your experiences. I would suggest that you start to take a good look at yourself before you start labeling everyone else. That is very racist of you.