sister and herself were given new "pretty English names." Her sister, Premila, was given the name Pamela, and Santha was given the name, Cynthia. At that moment, Santha saw herself as two different people. She felt that having a new name made her a new person, and when she was being called this name, she had no responsibilities. She was told to sit in the back of the class with all the other Indian children. At recess, she realized that all the Indian children were separated from the English children. While she ate her traditional Indian food, the other Indian children ate sandwiches. These assimilated Indian children wore English attire, yet couldn't eat with the English children. She did not last for more than a week in this school, because her sister came into her class one day and told her to gather up her things because they were "going home for good." Later she discovered that the teacher caused her sister's actions. They were given a test and she was told, along with all the other Indian children, to sit at the back of the class with a desk between each of them. The teacher said, "it was because Indians cheat." Because the teacher called Indians cheaters, Premila felt less civilized. She did not believe this label that was thrown at her, and her beliefs are what made her leave the school. This generalized labeling of the Indian culture hurt Premila and Santha very much, and this is an example that supports Bosmajian's theory. Names can be used to "dehumanize," and "separate" human beings. Santha was just a child, but she clearly understood that they way all the Indian children were treated was not right. Santha's sister acted exactly the way Bosmajian wishes more people would. He wishes "for those who find themselves being defined into subjugation to rebel against such linguistic suppression." There are many writers that support Bosmajian's thoughts on the use of names and labeling. One of these writers is...
