The article discusses the challenges faced by an individual with a complicated name, Shaeleigh Severino. It highlights the anxiety associated with introducing her name in school and the struggle for cultural identity within a Dominican-American context. Despite her parents' efforts to navigate pronunciation, they often simplified her name, leading to the adoption of a nickname, 'Shae.' This transition reflects the broader theme of cultural assimilation and the emotional toll of distancing oneself from heritage through the simplification of personal identity.
As a child, I learned quickly that my name was complicatedânot just for others, but even for my Dominican parents, who navigated calling me by nicknames.
School always brought me anxiety, knowing new teachers would inevitably stumble over my name, and I dreaded hearing the different attempts at pronunciation.
Adopting a nickname like 'Shae' felt like a coping mechanism to ease the discomfort of mispronunciation and the pressure to conform and blend in.
By accepting the simplification of my name, I participated in a broader erasure that distanced me from my cultural heritage and family traditions.
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