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 think that it not being true in reverse is part of the point actually. Having a Chinese name is very closely tied to being Chinese. Being named Mike isn’t tied to one nationality or ethnicity. And if you’re American, and meet someone who looks Chinese but introduces themselves as Mike, you won’t think anything of it because there are so many Chinese Americans and you’d just be completely used to it. If history were reversed and China was the great melting pot, then I think this name situation might be reversed a bit too.
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