(no subject)

[ashadelic.livejournal.com]

In response to my post about the name Mitanjeli, it was written that, "If a person who is not Indian uses the name, it's cultural misappropriation, and therefore offensive. If a girl who comes from an Indian-American family wants to "Americanize" her name as a teenager, that's something all together different, and Anji or Mitzi are perfectly fine, IMO. They're both cute."

I'm going to state my opinion on the matter, and I would like to hear what the members of this community think. This is not an attempt to flame, I'm earnestly curious about other's philosophies on the matter.

I, however, completely disagree with the comment. I am free to choose the name of my children based on whatever criterion I deem appropriate. Granted, names like Allah, Buddha, Krishna, even Muhammad, Jesus and many others on that scale would absolutely be offensive if used by someone outside-- possibly even inside-- that culture. However, just because a name has root in a specific culture does not mean it is off limits to me because I'm not of that descent.

It might look odd for a white, American parent to have a son named Pedro or Julio. But does that make it "cultural missappropriation?" I certainly think not. I have absolutely no Italian blood in me whatsoever and neither does my husband, but if I want to use the name Giovanni or Alessandra that is my prerogative and anyone who finds that offensive is just looking for something to be offended about. Granted, Indian names may not be highly popularized in our Western culture, but that does not make them "off limits" to a westerner simply because they are not Indian. If this is the case, then I should never hear an Indian child named Samantha or Jessica. After all, cultural missappropration doesnt care which culture you're "misappropriating."

Anyone else, thoughts?

Comments

[ashadelic.livejournal.com]

LOL! Drama whore! =) The post about Mitanjeli was nearly a week ago and the reply that caused me to ask for others opinions (in this post) happened two days after that original post. You jumped on the other poster's bandwagon a few days late.. the whole mess was over in my mind, and when you replied I just wanted to know what you thought-- I even invited you to THIS discussion in my very first reply. I only linked you to this post so you could see I wasnt the only one who thought it wasn't a big deal. I never asked you to reply to it.

And, I honestly doubt I would hear the name, too.. but furthermore, I dont CARE if an Indian woman living in India wants to use a traditionally American name.

If you can find any, and I mean ANY source that points to Mitanjeli as a name sacred to the people of India, I will absolutely retract everything I've said and apologize to you. I'm not looking for drama, and never have been. I have a differing opinion from yours and therefore, in your mind, shouldnt be allowed to breathe. I'm a menace to society because I love a name outside my culture! I don't love it because it's OMGZ SO KYUUUUUTE! But any reasoning behind why I love the name would be lost to you, I believe.

[rawness.livejournal.com]

Like zomg I was a whole couple days late on your post zomg life outside of livejournal SIN SIN SIN!

And just because you don't care if someone uses an American name doesn't mean they (on a whole, as a people) don't care if you use their names. Not even because it's sacred to them, but a lot of people cultures are sick of Americans ripping them off for ANY reason.

And no I really can't fathom why you'd want to name your kid something that sounds and looks like mint jelly but hey at least they'd have a thick skin.

"I have a differing opinion from yours and therefore, in your mind, shouldnt be allowed to breathe. I'm a menace to society because I love a name outside my culture!"

Please. Martyr yourself some more. Go on.

[ashadelic.livejournal.com]

Lol.. you really are hilarious. I won't be surprised if you comment back to this one so you can "get the last word in" but I dont care. Our opinions differ and they're not going to mesh anytime soon, so I'm done.

P.S. If you've noticed, I've said at least 4 times that I'm not planning to name any of my children Mitanjeli. I think the name is beautiful, but I have no intent to use it.=) Good thing you got all worked up over something that's really a non-issue.

[rawness.livejournal.com]

Thinking you're pathetic != worked up.
Like I said though, martyr yourself some more.
And whether or not you actually planned on using the name was irrelevant, but that went right over your head *patpat*

[rawness.livejournal.com]

oh and i didnt reply because i wanted to have the last word, i replied because i had something to say. what a sin.