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libdem4life

(13,877 posts)

27. I once dated a guy named Rafael, and he changed it to Ralph. That seemed a good Anglo

Thu Dec 17, 2015, 01:34 PM

Dec 2015

choice. He was Panamanian, so maybe it's different there.

Edit: I think the answer is pretty self-explanatory, but unfortunately it's been that way for decades with people immigrating. It's another form of accepting the culture of the country, also de-emphasizing the differences. Back in the day, kids would laugh at "strange" names or accents and life would be hard.

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Why Can't Rafael Use His REAL Name? [View all] kpete Dec 2015 OP

Only in America can a hispanic immigrant become a white supremacist. Scuba Dec 2015 #1

You win the Internets! marmar Dec 2015 #7

Cruz isn't "Hispanic" Spider Jerusalem Dec 2015 #10

Thanks. The vast universe of my ignorance is now a tiny bit smaller! Scuba Dec 2015 #13

See post #18 H2O Man Dec 2015 #39

But his grandmother was Cuban, no? marmar Dec 2015 #17

Actually Hispanic is correct, kiva Dec 2015 #18

Oh great, I'm more ignorant than even I thought I was. Scuba Dec 2015 #40

I used to use them kiva Dec 2015 #42

I agree DFW Dec 2015 #70

Nope. Hispanic = Spanish-speaking. maxsolomon Dec 2015 #21

Just about all ethnic categories are bullshit once you start to unravel the details scientifically Bucky Dec 2015 #23

When I teach social science classes liberalhistorian Dec 2015 #56

That's very intriguing. Liberal Jesus Freak Dec 2015 #60

Oh!! send me that NPR link!! Bucky Dec 2015 #67

try this link WestSeattle2 Dec 2015 #76

Harvard link WestSeattle2 Dec 2015 #77

The US definition will probably be tweaked as the Latin American Baitball Blogger Dec 2015 #35

No - you're thinking of Latina/o RedCappedBandit Dec 2015 #59

David Chapel skit... Drahthaardogs Dec 2015 #61

Rafa Cruz sounds much cooler than Ted. Politicsandhiphop Dec 2015 #2

Cruz has a lot of vulnerabilities. This isn't one of them. Buzz Clik Dec 2015 #3

I don't know. Why did John Fitzgerald Kennedy go by "Jack"? Nye Bevan Dec 2015 #4

Ted is now short for Rafael? jeff47 Dec 2015 #28

His middle name is Edward Ms. Yertle Dec 2015 #38

And Rafael is also his father's name. B2G Dec 2015 #44

Would his nickname be Rafe or Phael (pronounced Fail)? elehhhhna Dec 2015 #5

I LIKE that one! 2naSalit Dec 2015 #8

Standard Spanish diminutive for "Rafael" is "Rafa" Bucky Dec 2015 #24

I once dated a guy named Rafael, and he changed it to Ralph. That seemed a good Anglo libdem4life Dec 2015 #27

Will his nickname be allowed on the ballot? Historic NY Dec 2015 #6

Mitt Romney ? Did that go on ballot I can't remember Person 2713 Dec 2015 #11

Yes Reter Dec 2015 #30

Thanks I thought so but could not remember . Trying to forget Romney :) Person 2713 Dec 2015 #58

That's actually quite interesting. Xyzse Dec 2015 #12

I know here where I lived a nickname cannot be used... Historic NY Dec 2015 #15

That is very true. Xyzse Dec 2015 #45

Jimmy Carter wasn't James Carter when he was on the ballot Reter Dec 2015 #31

Of course. Just as Sen. Sanders can be listed as Bernie, not Bernard onenote Dec 2015 #51

I really don't have any issue with whatever name a candidate uses. bigwillq Dec 2015 #9

Why didn't Jimmy Carter, Jerry Ford, or Bill Clinton use theirs? jberryhill Dec 2015 #14

James/Jimmy, Gerald/Jerry, William/Bill Facility Inspector Dec 2015 #19

"Clinton" is not "Blythe" and "Jerry Ford" is not "Leslie King" jberryhill Dec 2015 #20

You have a lot invested in this Facility Inspector Dec 2015 #22

No less than you do. onenote Dec 2015 #25

Um, not really Facility Inspector Dec 2015 #41

yeah, really. onenote Dec 2015 #47

it's racism, imo Enrique Dec 2015 #26

Until every republican refers to Jenner as Caitlyn (which is her legal name now) I MillennialDem Dec 2015 #33

To prove that you are just as small-minded as they are? jberryhill Dec 2015 #36

No, I've offered a truce. They can agree to call her Caitlyn and I will offer the MillennialDem Dec 2015 #55

I love this meme Gothmog Dec 2015 #16

Recommended. H2O Man Dec 2015 #29

Raphael is cool but crude, Michelangelo is a party dude... KamaAina Dec 2015 #32

The same reason Carlos (Chuck) Norris doesn't. Can't be a righteous American hero with a CBGLuthier Dec 2015 #34

CBGLuthier kpete Dec 2015 #37

The ACTUAL hero of the family was his younger brother Wieland catnhatnh Dec 2015 #54

Probably because his father's name is also Rafael B2G Dec 2015 #43

The real question is why do Republicans give their children bad first names? jmowreader Dec 2015 #46

My uncle Ralph, a lifelong Democrat, was named Raphael onenote Dec 2015 #49

Raphael is a beautiful name Drahthaardogs Dec 2015 #62

Some at DU hide Obama's name, calling him PBO JustABozoOnThisBus Dec 2015 #48

You JUST POSTED his real name and he USES IT. What nonsense are you posting? CreekDog Dec 2015 #50

Yep. Hiram Grant, Stephen Cleveland, Thomas Wilson onenote Dec 2015 #52

Republicans are filled with self-loathing Thor_MN Dec 2015 #53

Obama used the name "Barry" until his 20's or possibly 30's Reter Dec 2015 #65

Thanks for defending the republicans. Thor_MN Dec 2015 #66

I'm not sure whether you think a post like that helps your case. Nye Bevan Dec 2015 #68

Opinions vary. Thor_MN Dec 2015 #69

I defend anyone who deserves it Reter Dec 2015 #72

Notice that I did not say anything about anyone other than those I mentioned? Thor_MN Dec 2015 #73

Would you say that to someone who is transgender? Ms. Toad Dec 2015 #57

Why didn't Cornelius Alexander McGillicuddy III or his son use their real name? csziggy Dec 2015 #63

Why Can't Rafael Use REAL ideas? Yorktown Dec 2015 #64

Beyond Cruz' personal preference DFW Dec 2015 #71

Isn't "Marco" a little "foreign sounding"? (nt) Nye Bevan Dec 2015 #74

Only a little, though DFW Dec 2015 #75