This talk names me think: Names are so interesting. Especially for folks of color. [1/11]

Kiese Laymon allowed folks to call him the wrong name, because he thought his name too African. My friend Deepika went by Pika for the last 3 years, because folks in Iowa “couldn’t” pronounce it. More like “wouldn’t try”, if you ask me. [2/11]

I have been told not to introduce myself with my new last name, because it’s too long, and people might be intimidated by it. [3/11]

I’ve heard physicians refuse to say students’ names, to acknowledge them at all, instead of just asking how to pronounce their names. [4/11]

Or giving them nicknames that the students never asked for. [5/11]

Or even say “whatever her name is” when discussing a laboring immigrant woman instead of her name. [6/11]

Y’all can say “choledocolithiasis”. Y’all can pronounce my name. [7/11]

Y’all can memorize the names of dead old guys who discovered diseases to take tests for hours and hours. Y’all can remember your patients’ names. [8/11]

People’s names are their identities. When we refuse acknowledge people’s names, we are denying them their identities. Their humanity. [9/11]

Ask. Ask how to say my name. Ask 100 times if you have to. Acknowledge my identity. My humanity. [10/11]

Thanks for reading my Friday night rant y’all. [11/11]