f our family has passed down through the generations, and I now hold that name. The teacher pointed out that I had a Jewish name and instantly I felt that I was different from all the other students. I was embarrassed to have this last name, and to top it off, everyone was looking at me as if I was different. After class was over, I was called names in the hall. Some of these names were, "skin head," "cheap," and "greedy." I was very hurt by these names, and wanted to change my last name. But, as I got older, I realized that I shouldn't be ashamed of my name. I should be proud that I carry a name that was almost demolished in the years of the Holocaust. I know that I lost ancestors in this blood bath, but I also know that at least one survived, and that is why I am here today. I learned a lot from what happened on that fall day in sixth grade. I learned that language and names can hurt, just like Bosmajian says. I didn't know it then, but these students who called me names, were helping me to fight against the suppression of language. I now realize that names and labels do hurt, and because of my experience, I can't imagine calling someone a name today. I know what it feels like, and I wouldn't want to put someone through the same pain and turmoil that I went through.Although a name has the power to define, it also has the power to re-define and even undefine. As Bosmajian exemplifies, names are important in our society, and names have tremendous value. What would we call each other if we didn't have names? We would simply be objects that looked different. However, we do have names, and they have been used in the past and present to harm us. In Santha's story, we read of herexperience as a young girl in school. Not only did the abuse of her name cause her pain, but also it caused the entire Indian society its reputation. This oppressive language has been used for many years, and continues today. I, as a young girl in ...
