so if you’ve ever met someone from Texas the first thing they always tell you is
the first thing they always tell you is
the first thing they always tell you is where they’re from and I’m not any
where they’re from and I’m not any
where they’re from and I’m not any different for 18 years prior to college
different for 18 years prior to college
different for 18 years prior to college I was born and raised in a suburb of
I was born and raised in a suburb of
I was born and raised in a suburb of Dallas Texas and for 12 of those 18
Dallas Texas and for 12 of those 18
Dallas Texas and for 12 of those 18 years I went to the same school I wore
years I went to the same school I wore
years I went to the same school I wore the same uniform for 12 years I ate at
the same uniform for 12 years I ate at
the same uniform for 12 years I ate at the same cafeteria for 12 years I had
the same cafeteria for 12 years I had
the same cafeteria for 12 years I had the same groups of friends for 12 years
the same groups of friends for 12 years
the same groups of friends for 12 years and for 12 years there was something I
and for 12 years there was something I
and for 12 years there was something I absolutely hated and that was roll call
absolutely hated and that was roll call
absolutely hated and that was roll call I know what you may be thinking how can
I know what you may be thinking how can
I know what you may be thinking how can something so mundane and so routine be
something so mundane and so routine be
something so mundane and so routine be the bane of my existence
the bane of my existence
the bane of my existence picture this I’m sitting in a classroom
picture this I’m sitting in a classroom
picture this I’m sitting in a classroom on the first day of school waiting for
on the first day of school waiting for
on the first day of school waiting for class to begin the teachers at the front
class to begin the teachers at the front
class to begin the teachers at the front of the room and he or she is getting
of the room and he or she is getting
of the room and he or she is getting ready to take attendance and goes down
ready to take attendance and goes down
ready to take attendance and goes down the list of names name by name Nathan
the list of names name by name Nathan
the list of names name by name Nathan Cheng here grace cram here Conor Daly
Cheng here grace cram here Conor Daly
Cheng here grace cram here Conor Daly here and then came my name but before my
here and then came my name but before my
here and then came my name but before my name was called it was always the same
name was called it was always the same
name was called it was always the same pattern a pause a deep breath an apology
pattern a pause a deep breath an apology
pattern a pause a deep breath an apology would be issued I’m sorry in advance for
would be issued I’m sorry in advance for
would be issued I’m sorry in advance for butchering this name cut cut cut cut by
butchering this name cut cut cut cut by
butchering this name cut cut cut cut by then the room had already erupted in
then the room had already erupted in
then the room had already erupted in laughter I had already interjected
laughter I had already interjected
laughter I had already interjected saying hi hello that’s me I’m here and I
saying hi hello that’s me I’m here and I
saying hi hello that’s me I’m here and I had to go through this every single time
had to go through this every single time
had to go through this every single time on the first day of school every single
on the first day of school every single
on the first day of school every single time we went on a field trip every
time we went on a field trip every
time we went on a field trip every single time that was a substitute
single time that was a substitute
single time that was a substitute teacher every single time attendance was
teacher every single time attendance was
teacher every single time attendance was taken and I absolutely despised it I
taken and I absolutely despised it I
taken and I absolutely despised it I don’t know what you may be thinking
don’t know what you may be thinking
don’t know what you may be thinking that’s my first middle and last name no
that’s my first middle and last name no
that’s my first middle and last name no that’s all my first name and that’s all
that’s all my first name and that’s all
that’s all my first name and that’s all my last name all 22 letters my hand used
my last name all 22 letters my hand used
my last name all 22 letters my hand used to hurt after filling in that many
to hurt after filling in that many
to hurt after filling in that many bubbles on scantrons every time I took a
bubbles on scantrons every time I took a
bubbles on scantrons every time I took a standardized test and if that didn’t
standardized test and if that didn’t
standardized test and if that didn’t know me enough what annoyed me more was
know me enough what annoyed me more was
know me enough what annoyed me more was a name that came right after minor
a name that came right after minor
a name that came right after minor wrecks do literally the shortest name in
wrecks do literally the shortest name in
wrecks do literally the shortest name in the history of names so looking back at
the history of names so looking back at
the history of names so looking back at this entire ordeal I’m a lot more
this entire ordeal I’m a lot more
this entire ordeal I’m a lot more flippant and light-hearted about this
flippant and light-hearted about this
flippant and light-hearted about this situation but if I could use one word to
situation but if I could use one word to
situation but if I could use one word to describe how I felt during those days
describe how I felt during those days
describe how I felt during those days when I heard my name being pronounced it
when I heard my name being pronounced it
when I heard my name being pronounced it would be embarrassed I was embarrassed
would be embarrassed I was embarrassed
would be embarrassed I was embarrassed to have the name that I did
to have the name that I did
to have the name that I did I always wondered why my parents
I always wondered why my parents
I always wondered why my parents couldn’t have named me something easier
couldn’t have named me something easier
couldn’t have named me something easier why did my name have to be so difficult
why did my name have to be so difficult
why did my name have to be so difficult for everyone else to say and while roll
for everyone else to say and while roll
for everyone else to say and while roll call is an example of a routine instance
call is an example of a routine instance
call is an example of a routine instance that made me feel this way there were so
that made me feel this way there were so
that made me feel this way there were so many other examples down the line when I
many other examples down the line when I
many other examples down the line when I was in sixth grade I joined a brand-new
was in sixth grade I joined a brand-new
was in sixth grade I joined a brand-new soccer team the carpels fingers I showed
soccer team the carpels fingers I showed
soccer team the carpels fingers I showed up for practice on the first day excited
up for practice on the first day excited
up for practice on the first day excited and ready to go and I went up to my
and ready to go and I went up to my
and ready to go and I went up to my coach introduced myself and he said
coach introduced myself and he said
coach introduced myself and he said what’s your name son I said my name is
what’s your name son I said my name is
what’s your name son I said my name is kamesh which is the name I go by commish
kamesh which is the name I go by commish
kamesh which is the name I go by commish I don’t know kamesh come eat you know
I don’t know kamesh come eat you know
I don’t know kamesh come eat you know like the word calm the letter A and Shh
like the word calm the letter A and Shh
like the word calm the letter A and Shh can I just call you K and maybe the shy
can I just call you K and maybe the shy
can I just call you K and maybe the shy eleven-year-old I was back then I said
eleven-year-old I was back then I said
eleven-year-old I was back then I said okay and so for the entire season my
okay and so for the entire season my
okay and so for the entire season my coaches my teammates the parents of my
coaches my teammates the parents of my
coaches my teammates the parents of my teammates everyone called me by a single
teammates everyone called me by a single
teammates everyone called me by a single letter K 22 letters have been reduced
letter K 22 letters have been reduced
letter K 22 letters have been reduced down to one now imagine if your name was
down to one now imagine if your name was
down to one now imagine if your name was John and then everyone called you J if
John and then everyone called you J if
John and then everyone called you J if your name was Rachel and everyone called
your name was Rachel and everyone called
your name was Rachel and everyone called you or how would that make you feel like
you or how would that make you feel like
you or how would that make you feel like you weren’t important like you weren’t
you weren’t important like you weren’t
you weren’t important like you weren’t worth the time and energy for people to
worth the time and energy for people to
worth the time and energy for people to learn how to say your name honestly
learn how to say your name honestly
learn how to say your name honestly that’s exactly how I felt and it’s
that’s exactly how I felt and it’s
that’s exactly how I felt and it’s because of instances like this and
because of instances like this and
because of instances like this and instances like roll call for why I felt
instances like roll call for why I felt
instances like roll call for why I felt so embarrassed to have the name that I
so embarrassed to have the name that I
so embarrassed to have the name that I did looking back I can’t ever recall a
did looking back I can’t ever recall a
did looking back I can’t ever recall a time where I felt proud to have my name
time where I felt proud to have my name
time where I felt proud to have my name where I didn’t view my name is anything
where I didn’t view my name is anything
where I didn’t view my name is anything but a burden to other people and when
but a burden to other people and when
but a burden to other people and when I’m here today sharing these thoughts
I’m here today sharing these thoughts
I’m here today sharing these thoughts with you guys I know I’m not alone in
with you guys I know I’m not alone in
with you guys I know I’m not alone in feeling this way I’ve had so many of
feeling this way I’ve had so many of
feeling this way I’ve had so many of their peers and so many other friends
their peers and so many other friends
their peers and so many other friends who’ve told me that they felt the same
who’ve told me that they felt the same
who’ve told me that they felt the same way I have and unfortunately a trend
way I have and unfortunately a trend
way I have and unfortunately a trend that I’ve noticed is that more and more
that I’ve noticed is that more and more
that I’ve noticed is that more and more people are choosing to follow the path
people are choosing to follow the path
people are choosing to follow the path of convenience and usually this comes at
of convenience and usually this comes at
of convenience and usually this comes at the sake of identity take something as
the sake of identity take something as
the sake of identity take something as simple as going to Starbucks when people
simple as going to Starbucks when people
simple as going to Starbucks when people order their caramel macchiato suddenly
order their caramel macchiato suddenly
order their caramel macchiato suddenly everyone becomes a John or a gym or a
everyone becomes a John or a gym or a
everyone becomes a John or a gym or a Rachel or a jade sometimes even a single
Rachel or a jade sometimes even a single
Rachel or a jade sometimes even a single letter but escalate this a step further
letter but escalate this a step further
letter but escalate this a step further and we can see the same trend within
and we can see the same trend within
and we can see the same trend within figures of prominence if I told you that
figures of prominence if I told you that
figures of prominence if I told you that one of the biggest actresses in
one of the biggest actresses in
one of the biggest actresses in Hollywood today was Nicolina Dobrev ski
Hollywood today was Nicolina Dobrev ski
Hollywood today was Nicolina Dobrev ski you probably don’t know who I’m talking
you probably don’t know who I’m talking
you probably don’t know who I’m talking about
about
about because she goes by nina dobrev or take
because she goes by nina dobrev or take
because she goes by nina dobrev or take for example Vera choke a Lingam Mindy
for example Vera choke a Lingam Mindy
for example Vera choke a Lingam Mindy Kaling you probably recognize her from
Kaling you probably recognize her from
Kaling you probably recognize her from the office let’s try this one more time
the office let’s try this one more time
the office let’s try this one more time Krishna did banjee Sir Ben Kingsley and
Krishna did banjee Sir Ben Kingsley and
Krishna did banjee Sir Ben Kingsley and so for each of these individuals the
so for each of these individuals the
so for each of these individuals the decision to change their name or adopt a
decision to change their name or adopt a
decision to change their name or adopt a different moniker that’s their decision
different moniker that’s their decision
different moniker that’s their decision and I respect that I’ve been in their
and I respect that I’ve been in their
and I respect that I’ve been in their shoes so I can definitely understand the
shoes so I can definitely understand the
shoes so I can definitely understand the motivations and the underlying reasons
motivations and the underlying reasons
motivations and the underlying reasons perhaps it allowed them to advance
perhaps it allowed them to advance
perhaps it allowed them to advance further in their career perhaps it
further in their career perhaps it
further in their career perhaps it opened up more doors to them but what
opened up more doors to them but what
opened up more doors to them but what does it say about society and what does
does it say about society and what does
does it say about society and what does it say to someone like me was a
it say to someone like me was a
it say to someone like me was a difficult name that you have to change
difficult name that you have to change
difficult name that you have to change yourself to succeed that you have to
yourself to succeed that you have to
yourself to succeed that you have to compromise your identity to assimilate
compromise your identity to assimilate
compromise your identity to assimilate that you can’t call yourself an American
that you can’t call yourself an American
that you can’t call yourself an American unless you have an American sounding
unless you have an American sounding
unless you have an American sounding name these are all questions that I’ve
name these are all questions that I’ve
name these are all questions that I’ve personally asked myself and a question I
personally asked myself and a question I
personally asked myself and a question I get asked all the time is calm Asia are
get asked all the time is calm Asia are
get asked all the time is calm Asia are you ever gonna change your name are you
you ever gonna change your name are you
you ever gonna change your name are you ever gonna legally shorten your name and
ever gonna legally shorten your name and
ever gonna legally shorten your name and the answer to that question is no and
the answer to that question is no and
the answer to that question is no and that’s a confident definitive note the
that’s a confident definitive note the
that’s a confident definitive note the reason I can be so adamant about saying
reason I can be so adamant about saying
reason I can be so adamant about saying no like that is because of a realization
no like that is because of a realization
no like that is because of a realization I came to through my dad and before I
I came to through my dad and before I
I came to through my dad and before I explain that to you let’s take a step
explain that to you let’s take a step
explain that to you let’s take a step back and understand the context for why
back and understand the context for why
back and understand the context for why I’m named what I’m named so my family
I’m named what I’m named so my family
I’m named what I’m named so my family has a tradition where the firstborn male
has a tradition where the firstborn male
has a tradition where the firstborn male is named back to my after their
is named back to my after their
is named back to my after their grandfather so me being the firstborn
grandfather so me being the firstborn
grandfather so me being the firstborn amongst my siblings and being a male I
amongst my siblings and being a male I
amongst my siblings and being a male I was named after my grandfather my dad
was named after my grandfather my dad
was named after my grandfather my dad being the firstborn amongst his siblings
being the firstborn amongst his siblings
being the firstborn amongst his siblings and also being a male he was named after
and also being a male he was named after
and also being a male he was named after his grandfather the problem is my
his grandfather the problem is my
his grandfather the problem is my great-grandfather had a lot of kids 11
great-grandfather had a lot of kids 11
great-grandfather had a lot of kids 11 to be in fact and as a result my dad had
to be in fact and as a result my dad had
to be in fact and as a result my dad had eight other cousins who were named the
eight other cousins who were named the
eight other cousins who were named the exact same name as him subbarayudu dirty
exact same name as him subbarayudu dirty
exact same name as him subbarayudu dirty pretty another super-long South Indian
pretty another super-long South Indian
pretty another super-long South Indian name and of the eight all of them ended
name and of the eight all of them ended
name and of the eight all of them ended up changing their name to something
up changing their name to something
up changing their name to something easier to say I said for one person my
easier to say I said for one person my
easier to say I said for one person my dad and I asked my dad dad how come you
dad and I asked my dad dad how come you
dad and I asked my dad dad how come you never change your name you know it’s a
never change your name you know it’s a
never change your name you know it’s a little bit difficult to say I’m sure we
little bit difficult to say I’m sure we
little bit difficult to say I’m sure we make other people’s lives a lot easier
make other people’s lives a lot easier
make other people’s lives a lot easier don’t you ever want to change your name
don’t you ever want to change your name
don’t you ever want to change your name he
he
he no I don’t my parents didn’t name me
no I don’t my parents didn’t name me
no I don’t my parents didn’t name me what they named me because it would be
what they named me because it would be
what they named me because it would be easy for other people to say my parents
easy for other people to say my parents
easy for other people to say my parents named me what they named me because it
named me what they named me because it
named me what they named me because it was a continuation of my grandfather’s
was a continuation of my grandfather’s
was a continuation of my grandfather’s legacy this name represents and embodies
legacy this name represents and embodies
legacy this name represents and embodies all the values that he stood for there’s
all the values that he stood for there’s
all the values that he stood for there’s so many cultural familial and
so many cultural familial and
so many cultural familial and traditional name elements behind this
traditional name elements behind this
traditional name elements behind this name and I’m not willing to compromise
name and I’m not willing to compromise
name and I’m not willing to compromise any of that for the sake of convenience
any of that for the sake of convenience
any of that for the sake of convenience and that’s the message I’m here to
and that’s the message I’m here to
and that’s the message I’m here to impart on each and every single one of
impart on each and every single one of
impart on each and every single one of you here today that your name does not
you here today that your name does not
you here today that your name does not exist for anyone else’s convenience your
exist for anyone else’s convenience your
exist for anyone else’s convenience your name does not exist for anyone else’s
name does not exist for anyone else’s
name does not exist for anyone else’s convenience no matter how short or how
convenience no matter how short or how
convenience no matter how short or how long how easy or how difficult one
long how easy or how difficult one
long how easy or how difficult one syllable or a hundred syllables your
syllable or a hundred syllables your
syllable or a hundred syllables your name does not exist for anyone else’s
name does not exist for anyone else’s
name does not exist for anyone else’s convenience now I think this is a
convenience now I think this is a
convenience now I think this is a message a lot of parents and especially
message a lot of parents and especially
message a lot of parents and especially immigrant parents want to shared to
immigrant parents want to shared to
immigrant parents want to shared to their children does anybody here watch
their children does anybody here watch
their children does anybody here watch orange is a nubuck and if you do you’re
orange is a nubuck and if you do you’re
orange is a nubuck and if you do you’re probably recognized as an actress Azul
probably recognized as an actress Azul
probably recognized as an actress Azul maka aduba and she was on The Late Show
maka aduba and she was on The Late Show
maka aduba and she was on The Late Show a while back and she had an interview
a while back and she had an interview
a while back and she had an interview with the host and in that interview she
with the host and in that interview she
with the host and in that interview she brought up an anecdote from when she was
brought up an anecdote from when she was
brought up an anecdote from when she was in 3rd or 4th grade one day she came
in 3rd or 4th grade one day she came
in 3rd or 4th grade one day she came home from school and asked her mom mom
home from school and asked her mom mom
home from school and asked her mom mom can you call me Zoe and a mom turned
can you call me Zoe and a mom turned
can you call me Zoe and a mom turned around and asked why because no one can
around and asked why because no one can
around and asked why because no one can say was OA maka and her mom will ask to
say was OA maka and her mom will ask to
say was OA maka and her mom will ask to keep being a beat said if they could
keep being a beat said if they could
keep being a beat said if they could learn how to say Michelangelo if they
learn how to say Michelangelo if they
learn how to say Michelangelo if they could learn how to say dusty I’m Sookie
could learn how to say dusty I’m Sookie
could learn how to say dusty I’m Sookie if they can learn how to say Tchaikovsky
if they can learn how to say Tchaikovsky
if they can learn how to say Tchaikovsky then thank you learn how to say it was
then thank you learn how to say it was
then thank you learn how to say it was over maka your name does not exist for
over maka your name does not exist for
over maka your name does not exist for anyone elses convenience so the reason
anyone elses convenience so the reason
anyone elses convenience so the reason I’m here today and the read I’m speaking
I’m here today and the read I’m speaking
I’m here today and the read I’m speaking on the subject I’m speaking about is
on the subject I’m speaking about is
on the subject I’m speaking about is because of another another phenomenon
because of another another phenomenon
because of another another phenomenon that I’ve witnessed amongst my
that I’ve witnessed amongst my
that I’ve witnessed amongst my generation and my peers and that’s the
generation and my peers and that’s the
generation and my peers and that’s the the trend of adopting a mispronounced
the trend of adopting a mispronounced
the trend of adopting a mispronounced version of your name so for example
version of your name so for example
version of your name so for example especially in the context of South Asian
especially in the context of South Asian
especially in the context of South Asian names I’ve heard the name pronto
you get to introduce themselves with
you get to introduce themselves with that mispronounced version and that may
that mispronounced version and that may
that mispronounced version and that may sound crazy and just to put this in
sound crazy and just to put this in
sound crazy and just to put this in perspective if you’ve ever watched the
perspective if you’ve ever watched the
perspective if you’ve ever watched the Comedy Central skate camp your
Comedy Central skate camp your
Comedy Central skate camp your substitute teacher where this is the
substitute teacher where this is the
substitute teacher where this is the skin where the substitute teacher is so
skin where the substitute teacher is so
skin where the substitute teacher is so adamant that his pronunciation of his
adamant that his pronunciation of his
adamant that his pronunciation of his students names is the correct way and
students names is the correct way and
students names is the correct way and eventually his students accept that
eventually his students accept that
eventually his students accept that pronunciation so to put that in
pronunciation so to put that in
pronunciation so to put that in perspective imagine if your name was
perspective imagine if your name was
perspective imagine if your name was Aaron but you introduce yourself as a a
Aaron but you introduce yourself as a a
Aaron but you introduce yourself as a a Ron or if it was Jacqueline but you
Ron or if it was Jacqueline but you
Ron or if it was Jacqueline but you initially introduced yourself as Jake
initially introduced yourself as Jake
initially introduced yourself as Jake wall and because that’s how everyone
wall and because that’s how everyone
wall and because that’s how everyone else called you or what if your name is
else called you or what if your name is
else called you or what if your name is Denise Denise but you notice yourself as
Denise Denise but you notice yourself as
Denise Denise but you notice yourself as a dee-nice because it was easier for
a dee-nice because it was easier for
a dee-nice because it was easier for other people to say
other people to say
other people to say doesn’t that sound ridiculous and I’m
doesn’t that sound ridiculous and I’m
doesn’t that sound ridiculous and I’m sure that begs the question if that’s
sure that begs the question if that’s
sure that begs the question if that’s the case then why do people do that why
the case then why do people do that why
the case then why do people do that why do people adopt a mispronounced version
do people adopt a mispronounced version
do people adopt a mispronounced version of their name and the answer to that
of their name and the answer to that
of their name and the answer to that question can be explained through a
question can be explained through a
question can be explained through a psych
psych
psych psychological concept called perceptual
psychological concept called perceptual
psychological concept called perceptual fluency according to dr. Michael
fluency according to dr. Michael
fluency according to dr. Michael Iskowitz so to understand this concept
Iskowitz so to understand this concept
Iskowitz so to understand this concept it’s important to be cognizant of the
it’s important to be cognizant of the
it’s important to be cognizant of the fact that humans are innately social
fact that humans are innately social
fact that humans are innately social creatures believe it or not we want to
creatures believe it or not we want to
creatures believe it or not we want to be like we want to be embraced we want
be like we want to be embraced we want
be like we want to be embraced we want to be accepted and related to so let’s
to be accepted and related to so let’s
to be accepted and related to so let’s say hypothetically I meet someone for
say hypothetically I meet someone for
say hypothetically I meet someone for the first time and I introduce myself
the first time and I introduce myself
the first time and I introduce myself with my name and it’s hard for them to
with my name and it’s hard for them to
with my name and it’s hard for them to understand and digest that in turn
understand and digest that in turn
understand and digest that in turn creates a barrier for them to relate to
creates a barrier for them to relate to
creates a barrier for them to relate to me because they’re not easily processing
me because they’re not easily processing
me because they’re not easily processing the information but if I give them a
the information but if I give them a
the information but if I give them a version of my name that’s easy for them
version of my name that’s easy for them
version of my name that’s easy for them a mispronounced version of my name
a mispronounced version of my name
a mispronounced version of my name that’s easy for them to comprehend that
that’s easy for them to comprehend that
that’s easy for them to comprehend that barrier goes away and my brain is
barrier goes away and my brain is
barrier goes away and my brain is tricked into getting that satisfaction
tricked into getting that satisfaction
tricked into getting that satisfaction and now I feel like they’re able to
and now I feel like they’re able to
and now I feel like they’re able to relate to me just because they can say
relate to me just because they can say
relate to me just because they can say my name easier but let me ask you
my name easier but let me ask you
my name easier but let me ask you another question does this not seem like
another question does this not seem like
another question does this not seem like the easy way out you know in 1936 the
the easy way out you know in 1936 the
the easy way out you know in 1936 the author of how to win friends and
author of how to win friends and
author of how to win friends and influence people Dale Carnegie once
influence people Dale Carnegie once
influence people Dale Carnegie once famously remarked that the sweetest
famously remarked that the sweetest
famously remarked that the sweetest sound a person can hear is the sound of
sound a person can hear is the sound of
sound a person can hear is the sound of their own name and almost seventy years
their own name and almost seventy years
their own name and almost seventy years later we can prove that scientifically a
later we can prove that scientifically a
later we can prove that scientifically a few years ago a group of researchers at
few years ago a group of researchers at
few years ago a group of researchers at the New Jersey College of Medicine did a
the New Jersey College of Medicine did a
the New Jersey College of Medicine did a study and they found that a person
study and they found that a person
study and they found that a person hearing their own name activated their
hearing their own name activated their
hearing their own name activated their prefrontal cortex twice as much as
prefrontal cortex twice as much as
prefrontal cortex twice as much as opposed to hearing a word or someone
opposed to hearing a word or someone
opposed to hearing a word or someone else’s name so gay
else’s name so gay
else’s name so gay that I think it’s pretty easy to deduce
that I think it’s pretty easy to deduce
that I think it’s pretty easy to deduce that there’s a difference between a word
that there’s a difference between a word
that there’s a difference between a word and a name right
and a name right
and a name right your name isn’t just some random sound
your name isn’t just some random sound
your name isn’t just some random sound coming out of your mouth it’s not them
coming out of your mouth it’s not them
coming out of your mouth it’s not them arbitrary combination of syllables that
arbitrary combination of syllables that
arbitrary combination of syllables that people say and I think this is so
people say and I think this is so
people say and I think this is so important to realize and understand
important to realize and understand
important to realize and understand because this is a notion that’s so
because this is a notion that’s so
because this is a notion that’s so omnipresent in so many facets of our
omnipresent in so many facets of our
omnipresent in so many facets of our life whether it’s film or art or
life whether it’s film or art or
life whether it’s film or art or literature or even fiction take Harry
literature or even fiction take Harry
literature or even fiction take Harry Potter for example who is the arch
Potter for example who is the arch
Potter for example who is the arch nemesis throughout the entire saga
nemesis throughout the entire saga
nemesis throughout the entire saga Voldemort right but what does everyone
Voldemort right but what does everyone
Voldemort right but what does everyone call him he-who-must-not-be-named
call him he-who-must-not-be-named
call him he-who-must-not-be-named he-who-must-not-be-named his name had so
he-who-must-not-be-named his name had so
he-who-must-not-be-named his name had so much power and so much influence that
much power and so much influence that
much power and so much influence that people were scared to say it and that’s
people were scared to say it and that’s
people were scared to say it and that’s because your name is a reflection of who
because your name is a reflection of who
because your name is a reflection of who you are it’s your will it’s your legacy
you are it’s your will it’s your legacy
you are it’s your will it’s your legacy it’s her testament right you are your
it’s her testament right you are your
it’s her testament right you are your name and I came across a Japanese
name and I came across a Japanese
name and I came across a Japanese proverb which I found to be so fitting
proverb which I found to be so fitting
proverb which I found to be so fitting and appropriate to what I’m talking
and appropriate to what I’m talking
and appropriate to what I’m talking about and that’s Tigers die and leave
about and that’s Tigers die and leave
about and that’s Tigers die and leave their skins people die and leave their
their skins people die and leave their
their skins people die and leave their names so if you’re sitting in this in
names so if you’re sitting in this in
names so if you’re sitting in this in the audience today and you’re a student
the audience today and you’re a student
the audience today and you’re a student like me you have finals in less than
like me you have finals in less than
like me you have finals in less than five days right some of you after Ted
five days right some of you after Ted
five days right some of you after Ted will head over to Clough to start
will head over to Clough to start
will head over to Clough to start studying or Skiles or bogs or Howie why
studying or Skiles or bogs or Howie why
studying or Skiles or bogs or Howie why is it that we name all these buildings
is it that we name all these buildings
is it that we name all these buildings on campus after the names of people why
on campus after the names of people why
on campus after the names of people why don’t we just called the physics
don’t we just called the physics
don’t we just called the physics building the math building the science
building the math building the science
building the math building the science building it’s because we feel that the
building it’s because we feel that the
building it’s because we feel that the most apt and appropriate way to honor
most apt and appropriate way to honor
most apt and appropriate way to honor someone’s contributions and legacy to
someone’s contributions and legacy to
someone’s contributions and legacy to the Georgia Institute of Technology is
the Georgia Institute of Technology is
the Georgia Institute of Technology is through their name words have meanings
through their name words have meanings
through their name words have meanings names have power so with all this being
names have power so with all this being
names have power so with all this being said what do I want to leave you with
said what do I want to leave you with
said what do I want to leave you with you know if you’re someone who doesn’t
you know if you’re someone who doesn’t
you know if you’re someone who doesn’t have a difficult to say or a foreign
have a difficult to say or a foreign
have a difficult to say or a foreign name this may have been hard for you to
name this may have been hard for you to
name this may have been hard for you to relate to but there’s still something
relate to but there’s still something
relate to but there’s still something each and every single one of you here
each and every single one of you here
each and every single one of you here today can do and let’s try if you meet
today can do and let’s try if you meet
today can do and let’s try if you meet someone for the first time and I have a
someone for the first time and I have a
someone for the first time and I have a name that’s hard for you to say try for
name that’s hard for you to say try for
name that’s hard for you to say try for me personally I know that I won’t be
me personally I know that I won’t be
me personally I know that I won’t be able to pronounce everyone’s name a
able to pronounce everyone’s name a
able to pronounce everyone’s name a hundred percent of the way it’s supposed
hundred percent of the way it’s supposed
hundred percent of the way it’s supposed to be pronounced and that’s simply
to be pronounced and that’s simply
to be pronounced and that’s simply because I don’t have the phonetic
because I don’t have the phonetic
because I don’t have the phonetic experience or vocabulary to do so but
experience or vocabulary to do so but
experience or vocabulary to do so but one thing I can do
one thing I can do
one thing I can do is ask them am i pronouncing your name
is ask them am i pronouncing your name
is ask them am i pronouncing your name correctly if not can you help me do so
correctly if not can you help me do so
correctly if not can you help me do so and that’s something all of you can do
and that’s something all of you can do
and that’s something all of you can do too it’s the pursuit of effort not
too it’s the pursuit of effort not
too it’s the pursuit of effort not always perfection but if you are someone
always perfection but if you are someone
always perfection but if you are someone like me someone who has it difficult to
like me someone who has it difficult to
like me someone who has it difficult to say name there’s really one thing you
say name there’s really one thing you
say name there’s really one thing you need to change your perspective the way
need to change your perspective the way
need to change your perspective the way I change mine and that’s a promise a
I change mine and that’s a promise a
I change mine and that’s a promise a promise to yourself to accept and
promise to yourself to accept and
promise to yourself to accept and embrace who you actually are for me
embrace who you actually are for me
embrace who you actually are for me personally I’ve come to accept the fact
personally I’ve come to accept the fact
personally I’ve come to accept the fact that my name will probably never ever
that my name will probably never ever
that my name will probably never ever fit on an idea or a nametag unless the
fit on an idea or a nametag unless the
fit on an idea or a nametag unless the font size is like one I’ll never get to
font size is like one I’ll never get to
font size is like one I’ll never get to share a coke with a friend because
share a coke with a friend because
share a coke with a friend because there’s no one with a name like this but
there’s no one with a name like this but
there’s no one with a name like this but I do know two things one my name is not
I do know two things one my name is not
I do know two things one my name is not a burden and two it doesn’t exist for
a burden and two it doesn’t exist for
a burden and two it doesn’t exist for your convenience thank you
your convenience thank you
your convenience thank you [Applause]
”
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