A gentleman called my office phone, asking for some information. I helped him to the best of my ability. Below is the conversation that followed.
Gentleman: Thank you, my dear.
Me: You’re welcome, but actually, my name is ____
Gentleman: Well, thank you, _____ my dear.
Me: You know, I prefer to be called _________
Gentleman: Well, ________ MY DEAR, there are some things in this world we all don’t like, but we have to accept anyways.
I was speechless.
It seems like such a simple thing…a name.
I wonder…how would the man have addressed another male?
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Article 8) acknowledges the right of a child to a name and identity. As a child, I had a right to a name. I had a right to an identity.
As an adult woman, am I not entitled to the right to be called by my name? Do I not have the right to an identity of my choosing?
Why do some men feel the need to take away my identity?
Why do some men feel the need to take away my name?
Why do some men feel to create for me an identity of their choosing?
Why do some men feel the need to create for me a name of their choosing?
My name is not “My Dear”, “Dearie”, “Sweetheart”, “Darling”, “Babes”, “Sugar”, “Honey”, or “Babygirl”.
I define who I am.
My name is _______
Caribbean Woman