RACISM

Why Saying Kamala's Name Wrong is a Racist Exercise in Futility

There's nothing to gain but much to lose from this behavior.

Studio shot of a woman leaning against an easel and orange dot | Photo by Gabriella Ally via Pexels

In the south, we have a saying that you catch more flies with honey than spoiled milk. It's a modified version of the Italian proverb, "You catch more flies with honey than vinegar." It means that people will more likely gravitate to you when you're kind rather than cruel or sweet rather than bitter. In political discourse, for instance, some are choosing to mispronounce Kamala Harris's name, opting for sour milk rather than sweet honey. Nevertheless, those exhibiting this behavior have nothing to gain and much to lose. Let's unpack this.

Mispronouncing someone's name when you know how to say it correctly is a microaggression, an effort to disparage them. In a society that places whiteness on a pedestal, the correct pronunciation of racial minorities' names has become a casualty of cultural warfare. While saying someone's name correctly indicates respect or civility, some believe they have no obligation to extend the olive branch or engage in constructive discourse. Name discrimination is insidious because it lends someone plausible deniability, as the speaker often denies they meant any harm, portraying their behavior as an honest mistake. This, in turn, pressures the…