I wish I was sponsored by Starbucks... I really do! Yet, the truth is that as I write this immigration blog post, I am not sponsored by Starbucks. We are not receiving any payment from Starbucks for this post nor from anyone associated with Starbucks. That is why I feel more comfortable writing this post, and sharing it with you.
The year is 2014, and I just arrived for good to the United States. Another immigrant on U.S. soil. Most immigrants do not know at this point in time what Starbucks coffee is or tastes like, definitely not on a regular basis. It is an American icon and deserves respect. Full disclosure, I love Starbucks coffee and would choose it over any other option in the United States. Yep, I said it, please deal with it...
Advertisement
Looking for a book to make you hap'BEE? Look no further. BEE’loved by many, the honey bee is super sweet. In this educational book for children ages 6-8 you’ll have fun learning all about the lives of honey bees. You’ll discover how long they live, what they eat, the many different roles that bees play during their life, and more! This book would be great for a classroom setting in which children are learning about insects and nature or for children at home who have an interest in bees.
Personally, the venti cold iced hazelnut latte wins every time, preferably with a Double-Smoked Bacon, Cheddar & Egg Sandwich. Don't you dare look at me like that! - You got yours and I got mine. I sometimes (most likely not) will have a hot venti cold hazelnut latte and maybe (don't count on it) a Spinach, Feta & Egg White Wrap.
My wife, Jayme, and I just sat at Texas Roadhouse having lunch, and our server was from Venezuela. Her name was Comoroto but she chose to present herself as Cori to make it easier on us, as she explained. She has been in the United States now for two years, and as an immigrant, her need/choice to have us call her by a more American name bothered me quite a lot, to be honest.
You see, every time I order something from Starbucks, literally EVERY TIME, for the last 10 years (give or take a bit), even though I spell out my name slowly when asked, M-O-R-A-N, it ALWAYS comes back as Morgan. I know they probably are not doing this on purpose. I can understand that most of the time they are crazy busy and believe that they would choose to get it right if they could. I really do. But..., it is my name and they get it wrong every time. It is part of my identity as an immigrant to the United States.
Advertisement
Pumpy & Pumpina is a children's book by Moran Sciamama-Saghiv for 2-5 year olds that teaches them about the heart. Follow the main characters, James, Pumpy, Mary, and Pumpina, as they go about their day to day life and see how their hearts are important and affect them during different activities.
Is it the worst I have experienced in my life, in general, and in the United States, in particular? Not even close. Yet, it is part of a greater phenomenon that every current and future immigrant to the United States should be ready for. Americans tend, naturally, to Americanize EVERYTHING. This may include changing history in the case of some individual's opinions, not necessarily as a nation.
Just as Americans prefer to "Americanize" names, America also has a need, it seems, to "Americanize" food that does not originate from the United States. Tacos, pizza, french fries, ketchup, apple pie, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter, bacon, hamburgers and more, are not originally from America.
A person's name is part of his/her identity, and that identity is an important part of who he/she is. Immigrants have more than their fair share of challenges and conflicts living in the United States, without needing our identities misspelled. Yep, I said it! Part of my identity is misspelled on a regular basis. But I can get the "dangerous part" of it...
What if you tried pronouncing my actual name and it came out sounding more like the word Moron?!?! Yep, I get it, I get it... Well, I would have you know that most immigrants actually have a sense of humor, us being human and all, so I would say that I am only half the moron. You see my name is M-O-R-A-N with only one O in it, while M-O-R-O-N has two Os in it. So I am only half the idiot, because I have only half the number of Os needed to be a complete moron...haha!
Moran is a Hebrew name. Many Hebrew names bear a meaning. Often they serve as a min-prayer or a representation of what the parents wished for their new-born. It is very similar to tribal cultures and not at all unique to Israeli culture. My name in Hebrew represents purity, sensitivity, mindfulness, thoughtfulness, a connection to the living and nature. Not so sure I can live up to all of that, though I do love people, helping them, and teaching them, in my own way...
Names have meaning. They create a connection to our culture, identity, and family, that are often not at all random. The question is, "What is the smart way to go about?"
Should I Americanize my name and part of my identity just because it makes everything easier for someone else, not Americanize any part of myself yet not bother others with getting it right (what is the point, right?!), or stand my ground and my right to have my identity correctly represented. I am not going to tell you what to do. Yet, I personally have decided to find other ways to celebrate who and what I am, USA Immigration Hub being one of them, while understanding that in most of the cases, it is not done on purpose, simply the American way has its insensitive parts, too.
Living in the United States has enormous advantages, without a doubt, yet nothing is truly for free. The true questions are how do you define "a price" what is the price that you are personally willing to pay?
My name is M-O-R-A-N! Shall we meet for coffee at S-T-A-R-B-U-C-K-S?
Advertisement
Symbolic.
Sophisticated.
Simplistic.
Symbolistic Apparel is a family and veteran owned clothing brand dedicated to clothing with entertaining, challenging, provocative, and intriguing messages. All designs are originals and use symbols to convey their message, idea, or phrase. Enjoy hundreds of designs, with new designs added constantly.
Commentaires