John
John
Jul 22, 2017 · 2 min read

There is little equivalence in some of your examples. Muhammad Ali, Malcom X and the others were already established in their public perceptions. For Sam Smith, the African-American up and coming middle manager, changing his name to something seriously ethnic will create a high hurdle of being hired for a new position or promotion. It is not fair or just, but that is the way it is. Your name is nothing more than an identification and a rebellious name would make an employer or potential business contact, maybe even a potential friend, think that you are a rebellious, trouble seeking individual and avoid you. I am from a minority ethnic group and go by my native, ethnic name. I can tell you that when I was unemployed and seeking work I got no responses to mass mailed resumes (you are supposed to get a 1% to 2% response rate) where my common name counterparts, even those with less applicable experience, got a higher response rate. In person it was never a problem. The ability to speak face to face and one on one easily overcame any doubts on the part of the employer.

So, if you are an artist, a marginally employed individual, a celebrity of sorts, a sports figure, maybe even a politician, go ahead and adopt your perceived tribal name (you will probably get it wrong anyways). I you depend on the mainstream to employ you or use your services then consider it carefully and be aware of the perils. Read “Freakanomics”, there is a section on the economic value/cost of names and the constantly moving perception of names.

    John

    Written by

    John