This wk, 2 older white men mispronounced my name.

That happens all the time. It’s been happening my whole life by people of all ages, races, genders.

But this time, these men asked me after their 1st attempt, how to say my name properly.

Progress. Small but real progress.
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Defeating bias & ultimately dismantling white supremacy and structural racism at times seems like it’s impossible. But it’s not impossible.

I fully and wholly believe that a transformed society is possible.

If I didn’t, it would make the work so much harder.

2/

I fully acknowledge the privilege I have in my various identities and the awareness of my privilege is my best tool for change. Privilege is power and with power comes access to opportunities for fostering progress and change.

3/

Cultural competency is part of defeating bias, expanding inclusivity and decreasing othering. It’s part of the process of developing a holistically inclusive and thriving society that values our diversity and promotes equity and equality, and ultimately, true liberation.

4/

Learning how to say someone’s name correctly is such an important part of cultural competency. I’ve posted on name #microaggression before: https://twitter.com/sbowersmd/status/1191029251182661638

Of course I don’t expect people to intrinsically know how to pronounce my name. It’s an uncommon name.

However, it’s not much to ask to be respectful when we don’t know how to say someone’s name.

6/

Our names are part of our core identity. And for those who’ve been made fun of because of their name, often during their most impressionable years, there are deep wounds and scars that one may not be aware when they unintentionally mispronounce a name.

7/

A mispronunciation or worse, a name microaggression, opens up old wounds and can color the entire interaction. Imagine starting a talk with a name aggression right at the outset. It’s not the worst thing in the world, but it can sabotage the full potential of that interaction.

So this week, when both these men of their own accord caught themselves and asked me for clarification on how to pronounce my name, instead of carrying old shame through my interaction, I was able to clarify and then move forward with my whole self.

9/

I say this is progress because I’m seeing this happen more and more and it makes me happy. It gives me hope. It’s a small but important indicator that progress may be happening if we look closely.

10/

By the way, the correct way to pronounce my name is this:

Sacharitha, pronounced
Such-uh-reetha.

It means story of truth .

I joke that it’s a tall order, but in reality, I stand proud by my name, without shame anymore, and try to live by its meaning everyday.

End.