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In the 1960s, Anglo-American names were common among African American children. Pre-emancipation enslaved African Americans were mostly named by owners.
It wasn't until the 1970s and the rise of the Black Power movement, which was a response to 35 years of separate but equal and decades of police brutality and housing discrimination. that this shifted in the other direction. The underlying philosophy of the Black Power movement was to encourage Blacks to accentuate and affirm black culture and fight the claims of black inferiority. The adoption of “black” names is consistent with other cultural changes—like “natural hair"—prompted by the movement. African Americans wanted to distinguish themselves from whites, and develop a culture unique to them naming was an easy means to the end.
40 years later According to a University of Chicago study, résumés with black-sounding names are 50% less likely to get a call back. Black constituents with typically "black-names" are 80% less likely to have white legislator return an email or phone call when their name is revealed.
Today on twitter "#thingsIput on my resume was trending" and I posted "if your name could be considered ethnic or black I would suggest using your 1st and middle initials instead of your full-name."
I was met with a mirage of resistance which I understand but if it won't get you any further in the work field let only get your foot in the door for the interview what's the argument. I know it's institutionalized racism but it takes decades and policy after policy to reverse that, so what is Kiara or De'Quan supposed to do in the mean time?
On the other hand people were spewing this like "Yeah we can you imagine a CEO name La'Quanda or Merecedes?" and I thought ummmm yes and a President named Barack.
"White people giving their kids names like Saxby Chambliss and Tagg Romney is a clear sign of cultural pathology.” If names like “DeShawn” and “Shanice” are fair targets for ridicule, then the same should be true for “Saxby” and “Tagg.”" - said Jamelle Bouie.
What's your view... should African American's just conform and make it is easy or is pride and ethnocentrism ok and even if you have a "black name you shouldn't initial or avoid it?
I'm not a fan of any made-up names or unusual spellings for regular names - which seems to be the trend for pretentious white people now. People are free to name their kids whatever they want, but that doesn't mean that future employers might not want those names representing their organization.
In the 1960s, Anglo-American names were common among African American children. ...
No such thing.
Not "anglo american" names what ever that is supposed to mean. They were Christian names. Taken from the Bible. It was once common to ask for last name & Christian name.
American Baby boomers, both Black & White decided to break away from the habit and started naming their kids all kinds of things. This is why many now have last names for first names and all sorts of nonsensical names.
I find it hard to believe that a business owner or hiring manager will choose someone based on name. I can't picture skimming through resumes and being like "that's a fantastic resume, but we don't do Sheniquas here". Factually, I understand it can happen, but it seems stupid.
I spent a lot of years in the military, so this provides the background context.
We were traveling as a family during one of our many moves, and had a black waitress in some no name Midwestern town with the name "Latrine." My kids all giggled, and I had to suppress a smile myself, with a "Mom, what were you thinking?" thought running through my head.
She was a nice, friendly woman, and a great waitress; and I gave her a good tip, and her name was not relevant to her ability/professionalism, however, I can see how names can hurt a person when SEEKING employment, I don't think they are relevant once employment has been secured.
Odd and unique names (no matter the race) generally cause difficulty for the kid with the unique/weird name.
And to the poster asking about "Tagg" and "Saxby" (and "Mitt" isn't exactly a "common" name!) I suspect they have a similar problem to "African American" sounding names.
However, in Tagg's case, "Romney" is the important name. A kid named Buttwizzle Romney (if from THE Romney family) will get an opportunity faster than a kid named John Smith, whether John is African American, White, Hispanic, or Asian - sorry, but the reality is that there IS an element of patronage in the US for the 1%, even though business is mostly a meritocracy up through most management levels.
Nearly ten posts in and no one has yet claimed to know someone who knew someone who heard someone who met someone named La-a or Oranjello? That's progress!
Nearly ten posts in and no one has yet claimed to know someone who knew someone who heard someone who met someone named La-a or Oranjello? That's progress!
Ohhh, La-(dash)a is my favorite!
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