Names hold significant power. They are more than just identifiers; they carry cultural, social, and personal meanings. The act of naming people, places, or things carries ethical implications such as cultural appropriation, respect, and the consequences of labeling.
Examples:
- Imagine a non-Chinese individual choosing a Chinese-sounding name
- A teacher taking the time to learn and correctly pronounce each student’s name.
- Media outlets using specific labels to describe a protest can influence public opinion. If a peaceful demonstration is labeled as a “riot” rather than a “protest,” it can shape how the public perceives the event.
How do you see these ethical issues and can you think of any other? (Other than naming your kid adolf hitler)
I have a traditionally black sounding first and last name particularly from the South where I grew up. I believe due to my name I was looked over for many jobs based solely on my name sounding black. The qualifications I had meant nothing. So yeah… Names definitely hold power.
Thats an all too common story unfortunately
Indeed.