Microaggression: Names
Dec. 29th, 2021 02:51 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
soniaI ran into my first-ever microaggression in fan fiction that affected me emotionally. I've backed out of plenty of fics because I didn't want to be reading about some topic from some viewpoint, but this one was a shock. I'm aware this makes me highly privileged (and also grateful for carefully selected recs). My sympathies to the folks who have to deal with this all the time.
I'm reading along, and the main character learns the name of someone she's angry with. The name is strongly Ashkenazi Jewish-sounding, but otherwise unremarkable. The main character thinks, "Of course she has the ugliest name I've ever heard." NopeNopeNope! I backed out of the story so fast, not waiting to see whether there was going to be further anti-Semitic content.
In case there's someone reading here who needs to hear it: Don't judge names, in stories or out of them. You are guaranteed to offend someone, and even if you don't care about that, you are guaranteed to show your ass. Just don't.
I'm reading along, and the main character learns the name of someone she's angry with. The name is strongly Ashkenazi Jewish-sounding, but otherwise unremarkable. The main character thinks, "Of course she has the ugliest name I've ever heard." NopeNopeNope! I backed out of the story so fast, not waiting to see whether there was going to be further anti-Semitic content.
In case there's someone reading here who needs to hear it: Don't judge names, in stories or out of them. You are guaranteed to offend someone, and even if you don't care about that, you are guaranteed to show your ass. Just don't.
no subject
Date: 2021-12-29 11:58 pm (UTC)Oh for the love of... AUGHHGHGHGHGHG.
*hugs you* I hear you (unsurprisingly).
no subject
Date: 2021-12-30 12:04 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-12-30 12:32 am (UTC)And absolutely yes, names should be treated with care and respect.
no subject
Date: 2021-12-30 12:57 am (UTC)