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Names and Identities
Names have long influenced how others perceive people and places. At a conference I once attended, I had the opportunity to discuss naming and power. One example that stood out was the term “Middle East.” For many residents of the region, the name itself carries little meaning because it is defined from an outside perspective.…
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What’s in a name?
A name signifies a person, place, or thing. It may reflect why a person bears it. For instance, one can say Akpan, meaning the firstborn, or Judy, the mechanic. So a name can also serve as a trait, feature, or attribute. In African culture, people name their children after experiences, events, or situations they have…
