Names.....

[Are_grits_groceries]

If I ask people to address me using a certain name and they purposely choose not to do so, that would be the height of rudeness.

I think it is MY choice what I wish to be used as my name. If I asked people to call me "Chitlin", then that is how I should be addressed. You can also speculate about why to your heart's content, but it is none of your business unless I choose to tell you. If I then choose to run for "Queen of the May," it is still not any of your business why nor should that give you license to address me by my other names.

My parents gave me certain names. They chose them for their own reasons. That's how it goes in most cases, and the names are generally used. However if for whatever reason, I want to be a "Chitlin," then by God a "Chitlin" I should be. As I said, it would be rude not to abide by my wishes. If there is some other underlying reason to not address me as I have asked, I should be careful before attaching a label to your behavior.

I may not own a "pot to piss in," but I should own my name. I taught some very poor kids at one time. That pot was about all they had. They would get incensed if you messed with their names or their dignity. Some people thought they were overreacting. After I thought about it, I decided they were spot on. A name and some dignity was all some of them might have appeared to have. They deserved that at least.