Black student - 7 yrs Assault/ White student - probation arson, Paris TX

[UGAalum94]

I think they know that a Temika is likely Black, but I don't think they were aware that the only "weakness" of the resume was the name and suggested race and that similarly qualified people not named Temika got through. I tend to think they would have been more careful about deliberately screening for implied race for simply pragmatic reasons. Hiring directors don't want to get sued. But I don't really know.

It's discrimination and bias never the less; I don't dispute that.


I don't think anyone questions historic, cultural names of any kind. I think what people wonder, if they wonder at all, about are made up names or names that to them seem misspelled. It projects more about background that a traditional name, whether you mean to or not. If you want to give your child an traditional African name, more power to you, except for the first day of school thing.

ETA: But is this "EFF cultural norms and mores. EFF all that. I protest" statement expected to be disregarded when selecting an employee? Is it a trait most people are hiring for in a big institution?

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by Alphagamuga

ETA: But is this "EFF cultural norms and mores. EFF all that. I protest" statement expected to be disregarded when selecting an employee? Is it a trait most people are hiring for in a big institution?

Oh Jesus - is this trait apparent in a person's name?

Y'know, since they didn't really . . . select . . . their own name . . . or am I missing you here? How else can I take this point?

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by KSig RC

Oh Jesus - is this trait apparent in a person's name?

Y'know, since they didn't really . . . select . . . their own name . . . or am I missing you here? How else can I take this point?

Well, it wasn't apparent to me until it was suggested that this is the reason that people give their kids these names. Sure, people don't pick their own names, but they were raised by the same folks who named them in a lot of cases.

I'm not really defending the practice, but if unique names are a way of saying F you to the man, and you can choose a candidate who wasn't so transparently raised by people saying F you to the man and someone who might have been, is it racism alone on which you are basing your decision?

[AKA_Monet]

Originally Posted by Alphagamuga

Well, it wasn't apparent to me until it was suggested that this is the reason that people give their kids these names. Sure, people don't pick their own names, but they were raised by the same folks who named them in a lot of cases.

I'm not really defending the practice, but if unique names are a way of saying F you to the man, and you can choose a candidate who wasn't so transparently raised by people saying F you to the man and someone who might have been, is it racism alone on which you are basing your decision?

Actually, most Black kids are raised by their grandparents... Most of the time, their birth mothers that actually named these kids "Tautauniquwa", were high and left these kids somewhere, till the State found a grand-somebody to take care of them...

Then, as a result, these kids grow up to think they can be something and work in menial labored jobs or be lucky enough to go to somebody's college and apply in the mail room. But "Tautauniquwa" never knew that her name would stop her from sorting mail or checking the voicemail...

Otherwise, homegirl could hold up and rob a liquor store while assaulting a passerby, then get 7 years...

Versus, Buffy, the Vampire Slayer getting 2 days...

That is what a lot folks think on the street...

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

Actually, most Black kids are raised by their grandparents... Most of the time, their birth mothers that actually named these kids "Tautauniquwa", were high and left these kids somewhere, till the State found a grand-somebody to take care of them...

Then, as a result, these kids grow up to think they can be something and work in menial labored jobs or be lucky enough to go to somebody's college and apply in the mail room. But "Tautauniquwa" never knew that her name would stop her from sorting mail or checking the voicemail...

Otherwise, homegirl could hold up and rob a liquor store while assaulting a passerby, then get 7 years...

Versus, Buffy, the Vampire Slayer getting 2 days...

That is what a lot folks think on the street...

I was trying to get around the assumption that everyone was raised by his or her parents, but I wasn't making any cultural difference claims, for what it's worth. I was also trying to be a little understated because I thought it worked better in response to KSig RC's comment about how no one chooses his or her own name. No, we don't choose our own names, but we're raised by the people who do.

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by Alphagamuga

Well, it wasn't apparent to me until it was suggested that this is the reason that people give their kids these names. Sure, people don't pick their own names, but they were raised by the same folks who named them in a lot of cases.

I'm not really defending the practice, but if unique names are a way of saying F you to the man, and you can choose a candidate who wasn't so transparently raised by people saying F you to the man and someone who might have been, is it racism alone on which you are basing your decision?

This is an incredibly oblique thought process, and I really can't agree with any of it. In fact, I think it's a bizarre connection to make.

You seriously overrate a parent's influence over child development, as well - turns out, their influence is crushed by the influence of friends, peers, teachers, associates . . . and dumb luck.

Basically, I think you're taking one terrible step too far, and there's no way to justify it.