#MyNameIs Asha. It means Hope. But that is my middle name. My first name is Renuka (pronounced RAY-noo-Kah) which has a story 1/ https://twitter.com/meenaharris/status/1317524204376354816

Renuka was a heavenly nymph, who was married to Jamadagni, someone who was blessed by the Gods because of his devotion. Renuka was also blessed by her devotion, and from that was so powerful she was able to go to the beach and make pots out of sand (so she was the breadwinner) 2/

One day, while at the shore to make her sand pots, she saw another couple, making love. She for a nanosecond thought of their bond. But because she thought of another man for a moment, she lost her purity, as well as her ability to make pots out of sand () 3/

When she arrived home, with no pots, her husband, Jamadgani, knew immediately what had happened, and was ENRAGED. He therefore ordered his eldest son to kill him mother (domestic violence, anyone?). He refused () 4/

Jamadagni then called on his second oldest son, who also refused. And then his third. Who also refused. And then his fourth (no luck). Finally, he called on his fifth son, Parashurama, who obeyed his father without question and executed his mom with an ax 5/

Jamadagni was so pleased with Parashurama's obedience -- for obeying his orders without question -- that he offered P a boon (a wish). Parashuarama wished for his mother, and his brothers, to be brought back to life (I forgot to note that J had killed his other sons in fury) 6/

Soooo....Renuka was brought back to life, and her spirit multiplied. She is now worshipped in many parts of India 7/

Unfortunately, while growing up, my name caused a lot of problems for me. Teachers often skipped my name when calling roll. And when "Ren & Stimpy" got big, I got a lot of teasing. So I started going by Asha in college (my family and HS friends still call me Renuka) 8/

That's just a note to say that when people deliberately mispronounce your name, it's incredibly hurtful, and is an example of racism. And also a reason that *some* people might choose to go by their "middle" name. JUST SAYING /END