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prinder's Pregnancy
My Due Date: January 12, 2015I have given birth!
Age: 38 years old
Location: Norwich, United Kingdom
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Bigotry Much?
By prinder » Posted Sep. 14, 2014 7:37am - 480 views - 5 comments
I'm not alone in this, there are several families all around the world that have experienced similar. That knowledge is not really reassuring excepting the fact that, with it, comes a sense of solidarity.
So we revealed the names that we have chosen for the Neophyte (likely to be re-nicknamed to Baby Groot, if you haven't already guessed the nerd-reference to that, I recommend watching Guardians of the Galaxy) at dinner last night. Not actually realising that the only one who still needed to know was MIL, and the awkwardness that was SIL highlighting the fact by stating: "but I thought you had already decided on names."
But, you see, that wasn't the worst of it. Oh if only it had been.
No, instead, when FIL started crowing the boy name we had chosen like a wrestling-match announcer, MIL noted her distaste, not for the violence of the sport or the reference to an exceptionally brutal (and infamous) match with Mike Tyson, no it wouldn't be something so simple, would it?
No, she found it distasteful because, "unlike the one that you [my FIL] keep trying to make us think of, this one isn't Black."
Excuse me? What's wrong with being Black? WTAF is wrong with being Black? White skin is a mutation much like red hair, blue eyes and being able to digest milk is. We can trace our genetic ancestry back to five women in Africa. I am a PoC and while she might not be aware, some of my family happens to BE Black. Our child, however remote, has a chance to be born not just with dark skin like a LARGE portion of my family, but be born Black.
So, again, while I contain my rage, what is wrong with being Black? Why is that unacceptable in the 21st century, the age of multiculturalism?
My Journal
Bigotry Much?
By prinder » Posted Sep. 14, 2014 7:37am - 480 views - 5 comments
I'm not alone in this, there are several families all around the world that have experienced similar. That knowledge is not really reassuring excepting the fact that, with it, comes a sense of solidarity.
So we revealed the names that we have chosen for the Neophyte (likely to be re-nicknamed to Baby Groot, if you haven't already guessed the nerd-reference to that, I recommend watching Guardians of the Galaxy) at dinner last night. Not actually realising that the only one who still needed to know was MIL, and the awkwardness that was SIL highlighting the fact by stating: "but I thought you had already decided on names."
But, you see, that wasn't the worst of it. Oh if only it had been.
No, instead, when FIL started crowing the boy name we had chosen like a wrestling-match announcer, MIL noted her distaste, not for the violence of the sport or the reference to an exceptionally brutal (and infamous) match with Mike Tyson, no it wouldn't be something so simple, would it?
No, she found it distasteful because, "unlike the one that you [my FIL] keep trying to make us think of, this one isn't Black."
Excuse me? What's wrong with being Black? WTAF is wrong with being Black? White skin is a mutation much like red hair, blue eyes and being able to digest milk is. We can trace our genetic ancestry back to five women in Africa. I am a PoC and while she might not be aware, some of my family happens to BE Black. Our child, however remote, has a chance to be born not just with dark skin like a LARGE portion of my family, but be born Black.
So, again, while I contain my rage, what is wrong with being Black? Why is that unacceptable in the 21st century, the age of multiculturalism?
Comments for this Journal Entry
 | Comment from prinder » Posted Sep. 14, 2014 1:36pm It isn't the name (as guessed: Evander) that is in question. Everyone seems to overall like it, but the fact that it is associated with someone of non-white origin that appears to be the root of it. The implication in my mind is that a Black person would never be accepted, and that, frankly, hurts. |
 | Comment from aprilluvsmoz » Posted Sep. 14, 2014 1:14pm I understand what you are saying Im biracial my mother is white my father black and even still today people show an amazing amount of ignorance. Regardless of what your extended family says about the name if you love it its all that matters. |
 | Comment from Lasquesaben » Posted Sep. 14, 2014 12:43pm This is the same boys name that you have listed here, correct? I can only imagine how frustrating this is for you. In general, names do not come with race attached. A black child could be named Adolf and a white child could be named Obama. The name Evander actually comes from Roman mythology (Evander of Pallene). It denotes "a good man". You could have chosed "Nelson" or "Mandela" A new name in hockey is Evander Kane. Would it make a difference if his starting salary is $4.5 million per year? Oops, should have mentioned, he is black. |
| Comment from prinder » Posted Sep. 14, 2014 11:48am It is possible, but a touch petty and poorly aimed... though perhaps not without precedent, you may be onto something with that. |
| Comment from Kitten90 » Posted Sep. 14, 2014 10:22am Sounds to me like she was offended about being the last to know about names and decided to pick a fight. I think her comment was WAY out of line! |
