Statue of Robert Milligan, West India Quay, London, on 9 June 2020
Chris McKenna, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
As part of our introductory unit to the English Language and Literature, we explored the power of names, and how they linked to culture. Below is a collection of some of my thoughts on the topic, based on numerous activities and stimuli we worked with.
At first glance, we think that names are of no significance at all. A book is a book, a rose is a rose, and a person is a person no matter what you call them, right? However, that doesn’t explain why so many people around the world feel a strong sense of attachment (or maybe even hatred) towards their name. If names are so insignificant, why is that?
I think names are important because they become representative of what they are used for. We can assign names and words to everything, from simple everyday objects to concepts and ideas that we can’t explain. In this way, names then hold all of the ideas and values associated with the object or person- they represent our identity.
I think we as humans also find names significant because they distinguish us from the masses. Many (mostly western) cultures place great importance on individuality, and our names help to reinforce this. Without our names, we would feel insignificant, unimportant- just another face in the masses. In the opposite way, they can also be representative of our cultures and backgrounds, and the values they represent. Many people are named after deceased family members, and others are named after certain gods or cultural values. In this way, names can both represent us and define us, contributing in both ways to our identity.
The history of names
Recently, there has been a lot of talk about changing names- specifically, the names of streets, buildings, and other infrastructure in countries where most of these names are the ones of colonisers- due to the BLM movement in the US. While some people may ask if changing these names constitutes as changing history. I don’t think so. While it is important to remember history and learn from it, changing names doesn’t erase history- the stories still remain. By changing the names of some places, we ensure that those people or events aren’t honoured in any way, but instead seen and understood for their mistakes.
However, for many countries, it isn’t that simple. Many of these names have been around for a long time, and have become central to the identity of the location. In countries such as India and Malaysia, the renaming of streets has been mocked and met with resistance- many still use the old names of those roads. Furthermore, there are other, related factors that can complicate the situation. For example, in Singapore, keeping the names of streets written in English and honouring Western colonialism has allowed the government to spare itself from accusations of favouritism in any way, which could have sparked tensions. In Hong Kong, a city torn between two worlds, the renaming of streets can easily be seen as a move by China to regain more control over the city, which has fought for years to avoid China’s grasp. Sometimes, making the decision as to whether or not to change these names isn’t that easy, as many countries have their background, and even some of their success and independence, tied to colonialism.
That being said, renaming places and taking down statues may help countries and communities move past the horrors of colonialism and the people who mistreated them. Renaming these places doesn’t have to change history, but just the way we perceive it. It is okay to accept colonialism as part of a country’s history, and for that reason, not all names need to be changed, but having statues and roads named after dictators and people who actively mistreated people seems insulting to all the people they wronged.
There is a blurred line between being justified and overreacting when it comes to renaming these places. However, by having these discussions, we give power to minority voices and communities who have needed to be part of the conversation for so long.