The View does it again - re black names

[sparrowsong]

I've never seen this show. But I'm starting to wonder if everyone does shots of stupid before filming. I mean, WTF? How do they keep topping the stupid comment that someone uttered a week before?


www.cnn.com/2015/10/09/entertainment/raven-symone-feat/index.html

Various studies have found black people experience negative treatment based not only on the color of their skin, but even their names.



Those findings got an unexpected endorsement this week from a black celebrity with, as one columnist put it, "quite possibly the single blackest name in pop culture today."



Critics are calling out "The View" co-host Raven-Symoné for saying she would never hire someone named "Watermelondrea," a name she apparently pulled out of thin air to prove her point.



The host, whose given name is Raven-Symoné Christina Pearman, made the comment on the ABC show while discussing a study about racial bias toward "black-sounding" names.



The segment included a clip from the popular YouTube video, "Top 60 Ghetto Black Names."



It's not racist to treat people differently based on their names, it's "discriminatory," she maintained.



"And I am very discriminatory against words like the ones they were saying in those names," she said, referring to examples of names in the video.



"I'm not about to hire you if your name is Watermelondrea. It's just not gonna happen. I'm not gonna hire you."



Her co-hosts had little to contribute, prompting Symoné to ask, "Is that mean?"



Co-host Joy Behar added that white people tend to name their children after food -- Apple, Honey -- prompting her to suggest to parents they stop naming their children when they're hungry.



Symoné's comments caught fire. On social media and in opinion columns, people were quick to say the comments from a black woman with an accented, hyphenated name smacked of hypocrisy.



In one such column, "Raven-Symoné Rips Black Names, But Forgot About Her Own," EBONY senior writer Jamilah Lemieux pointed out the negative effects of dehumanizing people based on their name.



"The whole world is trying to tear us apart and you want to discount the value of some other black person because she, TOO, has a black name, Raven hyphen alternate spelling of 'Simone'? You got the nerve," Lemieux wrote.



"We can't have a hierarchy of black names. You are either with your family, or you aren't. Being named 'Naima' or 'Aaliyah,' Asha,' or 'Imani,' doesn't make you better or more sophisticated or more African than someone named 'Shatasha,' and the people who are dumping Shatasha's resume in the trash because of her name are happy to throw yours in there too, boo."



Adding insult to injury was her hypothetical name choice, "Watermelondrea," Ebony.com contributing editor Damon Young said.



"Only a person who associates 'blackness' with 'badness' would choose to disparage black names and choose to throw a stereotypical reference in there, too. Which, again, is absurd, because neither having a 'black' name or enjoying watermelon while black are bad things!" he wrote in his column, "Raven-Symoné Doesn't Like Black-Sounding Names? How Ironic."



He also called attention to her "unique spelling of a common name" and "egregious use of unnecessary hyphens," saying it made her guilty of the very behavior she was maligning.



"Thing is, these are not bad things at all. I think it's awesome that Raven-Symoné's parents added so many blackness tells to their child's name," he wrote.



"Yet, here was Raven-Symoné, on national TV, in all of her black-ass-named glory, gleefully expressing that she'd discriminate against other black people with black-ass names."



Symoné did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

[iammalcolmx]

We put Ravens ass out , of the black race, at least a year ago.

[thejackpot]

Complete and utter foolishness.

[5thofjuly]

I understand people having a preference for one name over another. I don't especially like my own name, nor DH's. But, why on earth would you discriminate against someone for their name? They didn't even choose it themselves.

[sfy]

She's starting to be worse than Whoopi, and coming from me, that's really saying something.

[mouse]

Oct 10, 2015 9:20:25 GMT -5 5thofjuly said:

I understand people having a preference for one name over another. I don't especially like my own name, nor DH's. But, why on earth would you discriminate against someone for their name? They didn't even choose it themselves.

Because it allows you to treat a black person differently while pointing the finger somewhere else.

It drives me crazy that these studies showing bias come out and half the time the takeaway is *those* people need to stop using those dumb names. As if that will magically solve the bias.

I think that part might be getting better though, I seem to remember it being particularly bad in the 90s.

[jln]

Coming from someone named Raven-Symone'. Uh huh.

[thejackpot]

Oct 10, 2015 9:45:17 GMT -5 jln said:

Coming from someone named Raven-Symone'. Uh huh.

Yeah, Black Twitter went in on her about saying that with her name having an accent, special spelling, hyphen and being non-traditional. 

[pinkdutchtulips]

When my niece was born we ALL side eyed the hell out of her name bc it sounded like something from the inner inner part of Detriot - MaKaylah. Our fear being that 20 years from now her resume will find itself in the round file over something as ridiculous as a name. The perception of her being a black woman vs the blonde blue eyed woman she actually is.

[busybodyk]

Oct 10, 2015 11:12:55 GMT -5 pinkdutchtulips said:

When my niece was born we ALL side eyed the hell out of her name bc it sounded like something from the inner inner part of Detriot - MaKaylah. Our fear being that 20 years from now her resume will find itself in the round file over something as ridiculous as a name. The perception of her being a black woman vs the blonde blue eyed woman she actually is.

What? Are you serious? I'm interpreting this as you think your niece has a black name and may be mistaken for a black woman based on the spelling and that is a bad thing. Why? Why is that a bad thing? Please explain.

[secretlyevil]

Oct 10, 2015 11:12:55 GMT -5 pinkdutchtulips said:

When my niece was born we ALL side eyed the hell out of her name bc it sounded like something from the inner inner part of Detriot - MaKaylah. Our fear being that 20 years from now her resume will find itself in the round file over something as ridiculous as a name. The perception of her being a black woman vs the blonde blue eyed woman she actually is.

Ummm...are you serious? I have read this several times and I can't figure out how this ISN'T racist.

[sfy]

I'm just so sad I'm going to have to put my phone down soon so I can get my blowout.

[zoidberg]

She might be unable to enjoy the benefits of the privilege to which she is entitled as a blue-eyed blonde. Very sad state of affairs.

[EnchantedSoul]

Oct 10, 2015 11:12:55 GMT -5 pinkdutchtulips said:

When my niece was born we ALL side eyed the hell out of her name bc it sounded like something from the inner inner part of Detriot - MaKaylah. Our fear being that 20 years from now her resume will find itself in the round file over something as ridiculous as a name. The perception of her being a black woman vs the blonde blue eyed woman she actually is.

Excuse you. Do what, now?

[LadySusan]

I'm really hoping pinkdutchtulips is admitting to her own past racist foolishness as part of a discussion about race.  The important word being "past."  Or maybe she's going to learn today, depending on what she says as part of her defense.

I've know I've said stupid, stupid crap in my past.  I know that as much as I try and want to do better I still marinated in institutional racism for years.

I guess I'm saying that a lot of us white posters are works in progress.  You know that.  You call us out on our ignorant stuff and then we try harder.

ETA: In case it isn't clear enough, I don't think this needs to be extra-dramatic for entertainment value.

[bugandbibs]

Oct 10, 2015 11:12:55 GMT -5 pinkdutchtulips said:

When my niece was born we ALL side eyed the hell out of her name bc it sounded like something from the inner inner part of Detriot - MaKaylah. Our fear being that 20 years from now her resume will find itself in the round file over something as ridiculous as a name. The perception of her being a black woman vs the blonde blue eyed woman she actually is.

Hold up. Your trifflin' ass best be explaining.

[iammalcolmx]

Oct 10, 2015 11:12:55 GMT -5 pinkdutchtulips said:

When my niece was born we ALL side eyed the hell out of her name bc it sounded like something from the inner inner part of Detriot - MaKaylah. Our fear being that 20 years from now her resume will find itself in the round file over something as ridiculous as a name. The perception of her being a black woman vs the blonde blue eyed woman she actually is.

tha fuck?

[redwino]

Oct 10, 2015 11:12:55 GMT -5 pinkdutchtulips said:

When my niece was born we ALL side eyed the hell out of her name bc it sounded like something from the inner inner part of Detriot - MaKaylah. Our fear being that 20 years from now her resume will find itself in the round file over something as ridiculous as a name. The perception of her being a black woman vs the blonde blue eyed woman she actually is.

The INNER INNER parts of Detroit you say? You and your precious blue eyed babies would never want to be associated with THOSE PEOPLE!

I was ready to talk shit about stupid ass raven but stupider people have entered the building.

[sfy]

Oct 10, 2015 12:26:28 GMT -5 LadySusan said:

ETA: In case it isn't clear enough, I don't think this needs to be extra-dramatic for entertainment value.

Oct 10, 2015 12:34:37 GMT -5 bugandbibs said:

Hold up. Your trifflin' ass best be explaining.

Oct 10, 2015 12:46:13 GMT -5 iammalcolmx said:

tha fuck?

The utter disregard for the ETA is killing me.

[AJL]

Oct 10, 2015 11:12:55 GMT -5 pinkdutchtulips said:

When my niece was born we ALL side eyed the hell out of her name bc it sounded like something from the inner inner part of Detriot - MaKaylah. Our fear being that 20 years from now her resume will find itself in the round file over something as ridiculous as a name. The perception of her being a black woman vs the blonde blue eyed woman she actually is.

[prosecco]

Butting in, as a green eyes red head from Detroit (not sure if it counts as the "inner, inner" part), to say wtf, can you please explain yourself because I'm not sure if that was JUST racist, or if it was also offensive to people from Detroit?! I'm thinking both.

[gpw]

Oct 10, 2015 11:12:55 GMT -5 pinkdutchtulips said:

When my niece was born we ALL side eyed the hell out of her name bc it sounded like something from the inner inner part of Detriot - MaKaylah. Our fear being that 20 years from now her resume will find itself in the round file over something as ridiculous as a name. The perception of her being a black woman vs the blonde blue eyed woman she actually is.

  Excuse me?  

Ditto to the rest of it.  I'm side eying the FUCK out of this.  

ETA:  See now, I didn't read past that comment.  I can see now it's being handled.  I'll still let someone hold my earrings, though.  That's how we roll in Detroit.  Especially girls who were raised in the inner city....like me. 

[gpw]

Oct 10, 2015 13:09:37 GMT -5 prosecco said:

Butting in, as a green eyes red head from Detroit (not sure if it counts as the "inner, inner" part), to say wtf, can you please explain yourself because I'm not sure if that was JUST racist, or if it was also offensive to people from Detroit?! I'm thinking both.

Definitely both.  However, I expect she will return with something like "but I liiiiivvvvveeeeedddd in Detroit when I was young!!!  I can say it!!"

Bitch, no. 

[MrsAxilla]

That's my name, although spelled differently. AWKWARD!

[gpw]

Oct 10, 2015 12:26:28 GMT -5 LadySusan said:

I'm really hoping pinkdutchtulips is admitting to her own past racist foolishness as part of a discussion about race.  The important word being "past."  Or maybe she's going to learn today, depending on what she says as part of her defense.

I've know I've said stupid, stupid crap in my past.  I know that as much as I try and want to do better I still marinated in institutional racism for years.

I guess I'm saying that a lot of us white posters are works in progress.  You know that.  You call us out on our ignorant stuff and then we try harder.

ETA: In case it isn't clear enough, I don't think this needs to be extra-dramatic for entertainment value.

Also, extra dramatic is what we do.  Andplusalso, anyone who posts around here AT ALL and has been part of the conversations these past months should know better than this.  (the you gon' learn today isn't directed at you, btw -- it's what I thought of when I read your post)

[pinkdutchtulips]

whoa ... i was raised in the inner city of detroit and still remember driving through blighted block after block to get to my dad's church in Indian Village. we moved to the upscale philly burbs when i was 7 and my mom still recalls me telling her that first day of school that there were no black kids in my class. the year before my private school in detroit was at least 1/3 black kids. i thought it was strange.

it was the spelling of my niece's name that had us ALL scratching our heads ... and both of our parents who spent CAREERS working w/ disenfranchised, discriminated folks (teaching and preaching) had their doubts about the name. nothing racist about it, just the sad realization that first opinions in HR depts about names can make or break a candidate's ability to get an interview. we don't want to see her NOT be considered for something due to her name.

i am a BIG believer in colorblind admission/recruiting practices in that it doesn't matter the color of one's skin if they're the best person the for position. i realize that less enlightened folks in HR hiring positions might not share the same attitude and this is what bothers me. one look at a name, one misguided assumption and someone is NOT given a chance. that's what makes my blood boil.

i realize this probably won't sit well w/ some of you and that's fine w/ me but realize i'm about an equal playing field and discounting someone solely on the basis of a name creates a very UNequal field.

she's in WY which is the whitest place on earth .... i've been to WY numerous times and very very very rarely have i seen someone who wasn't white. PDQ but her full name is MaKaylah Na'Cole (mn is also her mom's mn and a family name of sorts ... it looks odd and we're fine w/ it, its a family name).

eta - while i haven't lived in Detroit since i was 7, my dad has been there the last 25 years and i visit once every few years.

[Deleted]

I have been thinking about calling my child Xang Mohammed Cohen Jose Smith, just to fuck with people lol

[gpw]

Oct 10, 2015 13:27:43 GMT -5 pinkdutchtulips said:

whoa ... i was raised in the inner city of detroit and still remember driving through blighted block after block to get to my dad's church in Indian Village. we moved to the upscale philly burbs when i was 7 and my mom still recalls me telling her that first day of school that there were no black kids in my class. the year before my private school in detroit was at least 1/3 black kids. i thought it was strange.

it was the spelling of my niece's name that had us ALL scratching our heads ... and both of our parents who spent CAREERS working w/ disenfranchised, discriminated folks (teaching and preaching) had their doubts about the name. nothing racist about it, just the sad realization that first opinions in HR depts about names can make or break a candidate's ability to get an interview. we don't want to see her NOT be considered for something due to her name.

i am a BIG believer in colorblind admission/recruiting practices in that it doesn't matter the color of one's skin if they're the best person the for position. i realize that less enlightened folks in HR hiring positions might not share the same attitude and this is what bothers me. one look at a name, one misguided assumption and someone is NOT given a chance. that's what makes my blood boil.

i realize this probably won't sit well w/ some of you and that's fine w/ me but realize i'm about an equal playing field and discounting someone solely on the basis of a name creates a very UNequal field.

she's in WY which is the whitest place on earth .... i've been to WY numerous times and very very very rarely have i seen someone who wasn't white. PDQ but her full name is MaKaylah Na'Cole (mn is also her mom's mn and a family name of sorts ... it looks odd and we're fine w/ it, its a family name).

Nope.  That does not matter in the slightest.  Now, I'ma be like Kanye and read the rest of your post here.

[pinkdutchtulips]

Oct 10, 2015 13:30:25 GMT -5 gpw said:

Oct 10, 2015 13:27:43 GMT -5 pinkdutchtulips said:

whoa ... i was raised in the inner city of detroit and still remember driving through blighted block after block to get to my dad's church in Indian Village. we moved to the upscale philly burbs when i was 7 and my mom still recalls me telling her that first day of school that there were no black kids in my class. the year before my private school in detroit was at least 1/3 black kids. i thought it was strange.

it was the spelling of my niece's name that had us ALL scratching our heads ... and both of our parents who spent CAREERS working w/ disenfranchised, discriminated folks (teaching and preaching) had their doubts about the name. nothing racist about it, just the sad realization that first opinions in HR depts about names can make or break a candidate's ability to get an interview. we don't want to see her NOT be considered for something due to her name.

i am a BIG believer in colorblind admission/recruiting practices in that it doesn't matter the color of one's skin if they're the best person the for position. i realize that less enlightened folks in HR hiring positions might not share the same attitude and this is what bothers me. one look at a name, one misguided assumption and someone is NOT given a chance. that's what makes my blood boil.

i realize this probably won't sit well w/ some of you and that's fine w/ me but realize i'm about an equal playing field and discounting someone solely on the basis of a name creates a very UNequal field.

she's in WY which is the whitest place on earth .... i've been to WY numerous times and very very very rarely have i seen someone who wasn't white. PDQ but her full name is MaKaylah Na'Cole (mn is also her mom's mn and a family name of sorts ... it looks odd and we're fine w/ it, its a family name).

Nope.  That does not matter in the slightest.  Now, I'ma be like Kanye and read the rest of your post here.

dad's church was in Indian Village, we lived by Mac and Warren

[gpw]

Oct 10, 2015 13:31:45 GMT -5 pinkdutchtulips said:

Oct 10, 2015 13:30:25 GMT -5 gpw said:

Nope.  That does not matter in the slightest.  Now, I'ma be like Kanye and read the rest of your post here.

dad's church was in Indian Village, we lived by Mac and Warren

meh.  Still doesn't matter.  It's the equivalent of "but I have black friends!!!"