“You don’t seem like your name is Shaniqua; is that really your name?”

This is a frequent reaction I receive when I introduce myself. As a child, I believed that people simply struggled to pronounce my name, but by my teenage years, I understood there was a more significant issue at play. The mispronunciations transformed into judgments, and suddenly, my name became associated with an undesired weight.

By the time I started college, it was entirely evident how others perceived my name. Many told me I seemed more like an “Ashley” or that I didn’t fit the description of a Shaniqua. During my campaign for president of the Black Student Movement, I encountered negative remarks about my name, with one particularly hurtful comment stating, “Of course, her name is Shaniqua.”

An ex-boyfriend even shared that his mother was worried about our relationship due to my name, but she felt reassured after hearing about my achievements.

Though no one said it outright, the message was evident: the stereotype associated with my name was too prominent to ignore, and this isn’t merely based on my personal experiences. If you look up “Shaniqua” on Urban Dictionary, you’ll see definitions like “a common name used to mock or describe a Black woman from the inner city.” Such damaging stereotypes turn the name Shaniqua into a joke, a “safe” tool for racial judgment.

This goes beyond discomfort; it has tangible impacts.

Research indicates that job seekers with names perceived as “ethnic” face fewer callbacks compared to those with names viewed as “Anglo,” even when their resumes are identical. This name-based discrimination not only reinforces racist stereotypes but also impacts individuals’ professional, social, and emotional health.

Now to address Laura Loomer, the far-right provocateur who recently referred to significant Black figures like Vice President Kamala Harris, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis as “little DEI Shaniqua voices” and “meritless DEI Shaniquas.” Loomer’s remarks embody both sexism and racism, aiming to undermine the accomplishments of these women by insinuating they were only selected to fulfill diversity goals.

The implication? These women are unqualified, boisterous, and “too Black” to merit their roles.

Loomer’s racist comments are nothing new

Loomer’s actions are textbook racism, masquerading as political critique. It’s no accident that Republicans often mispronounce Harris’s name or that Donald Trump questioned her biracial identity as a Black and South Asian American. By ridiculing her name, they exploit her identity, tapping into the fears and biases of their supporters.

While Loomer’s racism is overt, name bias extends beyond just far-right critics. Subtle, quiet judgments about names like mine—Shaniqua—aren’t confined to extremists. Even friends, colleagues, and mentors who view themselves as progressive have reacted unfavorably to my name. It’s not just the overt racists who engage in name discrimination—it’s also those who should know better.

Ethnic names impact people across various races and cultures. Many Asian Americans adopt Anglicized names to escape feelings of otherness. Changing one’s name often serves as a survival tactic, aimed at reducing the bias and discrimination associated with their identities.

However, this issue doesn’t solely revolve around Black individuals or people of color. The core problem lies within a society that accepts and fuels such racism. We often hear claims that modern racism isn’t as blatant as in the past, but name-based discrimination represents one of the “subtle” forms of racism that endures. We permit names to act as stand-ins for race, class, and background, leading to detrimental effects on marginalized groups.

While it’s clear that Laura Loomer won’t change her behavior, we must all strive to do better. We must recognize the systemic racism tied to names and actively work towards dismantling these harmful prejudices.

We need to stop putting up with this kind of discrimination, whether it’s overt or subtle, especially when it comes from people we know. Jokes or comments that make fun of names related to race or gender must be eliminated. Our names are integral to our identity, so they warrant respect, not mockery.

Prejudice often extends beyond what is convenient, and a name as widespread as Susan might eventually face similar discrimination.

We can and should strive for better standards in how we treat others.