New Post
Search
Help[Opinions] Princess?
I overheard a conversation between a group of 15-16 year old boys and girls. A girl was saying that it's racist to call your daughter Princess, and the others were saying that it wasn't racist it was just wrong. Then the girl said "Well, if people call their kids Princess then I will call my first child Dustbin Lid."
I personally think that naming your child Princess is wrong, but I was wondering what you all thought?
I personally think that naming your child Princess is wrong, but I was wondering what you all thought?
Archived Thread - replies disabled
1
Replies
I don't think it's racist, but there could be some pop culture association I'm not aware of. I think people just like to throw that word around.
1
I don't think it's racist at all it's a word. Now if it was Aryan that's different.
I think Princess is a good pet name but not for a human.
I think Princess is a good pet name but not for a human.
1
I wouldn't say using Princess is racist.(M)
classist, perhaps.
It's good as a nick-name.
classist, perhaps.
It's good as a nick-name.
1
I think Princess is a ridiculous name which would make its bearer's life difficult socially because people do make judgements, whether it's fair or not.
I really don't get the "racist" argument, though. Or were these kids using the term "racist" as a synonim for "bad" as some teens tend to these days?
I really don't get the "racist" argument, though. Or were these kids using the term "racist" as a synonim for "bad" as some teens tend to these days?
1
Interesting thought.
I agree with most of what you said. However, I would like to say that these kids do not use "racist" as a synonym for "bad." Maybe some teens do, but none of which I know. That doesn't even make any sense. Racism is bad, but that's the only way they could be linked as synonyms.
I agree with most of what you said. However, I would like to say that these kids do not use "racist" as a synonym for "bad." Maybe some teens do, but none of which I know. That doesn't even make any sense. Racism is bad, but that's the only way they could be linked as synonyms.
1
I used to work as a replacement teacher, which, when you're under 25, petite and there for only a few days is not the easiest of tasks. Some classes were quite mixed ethnically, with the majority of students being the children of immigrants. Their typical complaint to any reproach or punishment was: "But Miss, you can't do that! You're a racist!" It seems to happen to friends who sub as well. So I suppose these kids know that accusing someone of racism is supposed to be a good excuse (even though, if you want to give detention to a teen for lighting a lighter in class, it's unlikely that it's because of 'racism') and then it evolved into a synonim for "mean or bad". I thought maybe it was a habit that American kids might have too.
Incidentally, I still don't get why on earth Princess could be in any way considered a racist name, is it because it's more common amongst African Americans?
Incidentally, I still don't get why on earth Princess could be in any way considered a racist name, is it because it's more common amongst African Americans?
1
I get your point. I'm pretty sure none of the kids in my class have ever called a "sub" racist though. But of course, I could be wrong because I'm in the advanced classes and usually the "rif-raf" kids are in the normal (or slow) classes. I'm part of the "well-behaved" group of kids. Well-behaved meaning we don't steal people's cell phones. True story for one of my friends: his phone was in his bookbag and this other kid stole it and later when he realized he was going to get caught, he put it in the trashcan. Long story short, somehow the stealer got sent to jail from like November to Christmas. That's what you get, I say.
Anyway, I agree. That girl meant to say Princess is majorly related to blacks. (I'm sorry, but I don't believe in the "politically correct" term. If it's African-American now, then I expect to be called Caucasian. It's only fair to me.)
Anyway, I agree. That girl meant to say Princess is majorly related to blacks. (I'm sorry, but I don't believe in the "politically correct" term. If it's African-American now, then I expect to be called Caucasian. It's only fair to me.)
1
Well, I've also had classes like yours, where the kids were hard-working and generally absolutely adorable.
Personally I don't find the term black un-PC, I study ethnicity and tend to use the terms black and African-American somewhat interchageably for practical reasons, at the moment I don't have the time and energy to discuss the pros and cons of each of the terms, so I just won't go there.
Personally I don't find the term black un-PC, I study ethnicity and tend to use the terms black and African-American somewhat interchageably for practical reasons, at the moment I don't have the time and energy to discuss the pros and cons of each of the terms, so I just won't go there.
1
...
I don't really care too much, but I think it's sort of wrong to name one group of people one thing and then not name another something too.
It's like you have two kittens: a black one and a white one. You name the black one Midnight and the white one Whitie. Whatever happened to Blackie and Whitie?
Well, that's it. I'm done with that bad example.
Thanks for the talk though. =)
I don't really care too much, but I think it's sort of wrong to name one group of people one thing and then not name another something too.
It's like you have two kittens: a black one and a white one. You name the black one Midnight and the white one Whitie. Whatever happened to Blackie and Whitie?
Well, that's it. I'm done with that bad example.
Thanks for the talk though. =)
1
I don't think Princess is considered racists, just sterotypical.
When I hear the name Princess I automatically think of my aunt's dog. She was a mean, evil doberman pinscher that would actually steal things out of your purse. So, I guess it makes an okay name for a dog or a cat, but never for a person.
When I hear the name Princess I automatically think of my aunt's dog. She was a mean, evil doberman pinscher that would actually steal things out of your purse. So, I guess it makes an okay name for a dog or a cat, but never for a person.
1
How is naming your kid Princess racist? That doesn't even make sense.
It's not racist it's just a bad idea. For what it's worth, I knew a girl named Princessa.
It's not racist it's just a bad idea. For what it's worth, I knew a girl named Princessa.
1
Well, I guess we must may some allowances for 15 year olds, but it seems to me that this girl has it exactly backwards. It is not "racist" to CALL your daughter Princess, but it certainly may be racist to OBJECT to it in the way she is doing.
Princess is much more common as a given name in the African-American community in the United States than it is with other ethnic groups (though it is not exclusively African-American). Many "word names" are common in the African-American community which middle class White Americans generally don't like, including Precious, Sincere, and Essence as well as Princess. This is a cultural difference. Neither liking nor disliking such names is a matter of intelligence. One's perceptions of what sort of names are appropriate or in good taste is shaped by one's ethnic background and social class, no matter who one is. It seems culturally insensitive, to say the least, for this girl to equate using a word with a positive commendatory meaning such as Princess with something like "Dustbin Lid".
Princess is much more common as a given name in the African-American community in the United States than it is with other ethnic groups (though it is not exclusively African-American). Many "word names" are common in the African-American community which middle class White Americans generally don't like, including Precious, Sincere, and Essence as well as Princess. This is a cultural difference. Neither liking nor disliking such names is a matter of intelligence. One's perceptions of what sort of names are appropriate or in good taste is shaped by one's ethnic background and social class, no matter who one is. It seems culturally insensitive, to say the least, for this girl to equate using a word with a positive commendatory meaning such as Princess with something like "Dustbin Lid".
1
I much agree with you!
Everything you said is true.
And as a note: at my school there are two Princess's, two Precious's, and one Essence, so I can verify the black preference for those three names. Also, Kiara (and its varients which includes Kiyara) and Keyandria (Keyunda, Keondra, Keondria) are popular too. However, Sincere is new to me.
Everything you said is true.
And as a note: at my school there are two Princess's, two Precious's, and one Essence, so I can verify the black preference for those three names. Also, Kiara (and its varients which includes Kiyara) and Keyandria (Keyunda, Keondra, Keondria) are popular too. However, Sincere is new to me.
1
nt.
1
yuck, that is bad
1
I think the girl you heard has no idea of what the word "racist" actually means, but likes to throw it around as an all-purpose insult.
That being said, I think Princess is a stupid name to give somebody. It tries so hard to project status and class that it ends up projecting the exact opposite effect. People with actual class or status do not usually name their kids stuff like Princess or Special or Sir-Honesty or Miraculous Diamond.
That being said, I think Princess is a stupid name to give somebody. It tries so hard to project status and class that it ends up projecting the exact opposite effect. People with actual class or status do not usually name their kids stuff like Princess or Special or Sir-Honesty or Miraculous Diamond.
1
OK, maybe I'm just missing something, but I don't see how the name Princess is racist.
I dislike the name, it sounds cutesy and precious and I don't think I would be able to take an adult Princess seriously. It is also so in your face "look how darling my daughter is", I mean I don't mind Sarah or another name meaning princess because mainly they are more subtle and have a bucket load more of history. Plus, Princess comes with the stereotype of someone who is incredibly pretty, but has done nothing more with their life, or something along those lines.
But then again, I'd rather be Princess than Dustbin Lid :)
I dislike the name, it sounds cutesy and precious and I don't think I would be able to take an adult Princess seriously. It is also so in your face "look how darling my daughter is", I mean I don't mind Sarah or another name meaning princess because mainly they are more subtle and have a bucket load more of history. Plus, Princess comes with the stereotype of someone who is incredibly pretty, but has done nothing more with their life, or something along those lines.
But then again, I'd rather be Princess than Dustbin Lid :)
1