"I hate being called Prissy my cousins used to call me that when I was a kid and I'd get upset My best friend, Chioma, and I are writers. We've known each other for seven years: I sent her a message on Twitter, and we started chatting. Since then, we often meet up to work together and have dinner. The thing is, Chioma has always shortened my name to Pris, or even P."
"I tolerated it because I love her, but recently I mentioned that I actually prefer to be called by my full name, Priscilla. I am sure that I've told Chioma this several times over the years, but it never seems to register. I got particularly annoyed recently when Chioma and her new friend Mary, who I don't know very well, started calling me Prissy."
"When I told them I didn't like any of my nicknames, Chioma was shocked and said she hadn't realised. She also said that a nickname is given out of love, and that when she shortened my name, it was done with fondness. I said that's fine for some other people, but I prefer being called by my full name. It also felt as though she wasn't really taking my preference seriously, and was trying to make an excuse in front of Mary."
Priscilla hates the nickname "Prissy" because it recalls childhood hurt. Priscilla and best friend Chioma have been close for seven years and often work and dine together. Chioma shortens Priscilla's name to Pris or P despite repeated requests for the full name Priscilla. Priscilla feels dismissed when Chioma laughs off the preference and explains nicknames are signs of affection. Priscilla also felt uncomfortable when Mary, a white new friend, used the nickname, invoking racial power dynamics around name shortening. Intent does not erase impact, and naming choices can reflect subtle power.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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