[christopher]

There is a long history of creating 'alternative' names in African-American communities.. Taking a traditional Euro name and giving it a 'twist', as it were, thus making the name, and the child, more 'unique'. The specific rationale varies from person to person. Now, there are plenty of names derived from Arabic and African languages (Swahili, others) that sound totally 'made up' by certain people without that cultural frame of reference; 'Kwame', for example. In Alex Haley's novel 'Roots', a female is given the name 'Kizzie', which meant 'Stay Put' in Kunta Kinte's native tongue. So on one level, there may be some names you come across that have 'legitimate' sources in linguistic vernacular, but you're just not aware of the source. .. Now, as far as the whole phenomenon of 'DarKeesha' 'Oceana' and 'DeMontell' goes, it's really the parent's personal likes and cultural frame of reference. There are those who do alternate spellings on purpose: 'Angel' becomes 'Aunjel', for example. There are frequent prefixes that are often applied to traditional names: they include, but are not limited to: De, Que, Dar, Shar, Che, La, Sha.. Suffixes include Ell, Rell, Ika, Eka, Ida, Eeta... and many more.. Thus John can become 'Johnell' (boy or girl), Lynn can become 'Sharlynn', etc. Within the black community, some people have a very skeptical view of it, and others embrace it.. Some feel it potentially 'labels' a child as they pursue higher education and a career. Others feel it shouldn't matter.. I think it's the parents' prerogative. If they think it's pretty/handsome, then fine. However, if a parent is not sure the exact meaning or the traditional spelling of a name, they should do some research. I work for a social service agency doing intake/referrals. We have to take basic background information on clients. Talking to a young woman who had a two- year old boy, I asked the child's name. Without missing a beat, she said 'Diablo'. I didn't react nor pry, but I found it curious. I'm no Spanish scholar, but I do know that diablo is Spanish for 'devil'.

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Name : christopher, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Catholic, Age : 30, City : Detroit, State : MI Country : United States, Occupation : student/journalism, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Lower middle class, 

[christopher]

i'd have to ask the circumstances in which you witnessed this.. were these folks clearly by themselves, or were others near them? is this a particular neighborhood that this happens in? ..did the person seem angry or upset? did they seem to have an earpiece for a cell phone, or walkman/ipod? ..did their dialogue seem to be religious in content (keywords: 'Jesus.. hallelujah.. Praise God..') ...unless it is an individual with mental and/or emotional and/or substance abuse issues, i don't see this happening on a recurring basis.. I do know that in this current economic climate, less government money has been made available for mental health care, many communities, especially poorer communities, have less outlets for this now.. many such clinics have been shut down or services severely downscaled.. by extension of this, many mental health/substance abuse halfway houses and related programs that address helping people with these issues have faced closing down.. thus, more people are walking the streets with these issues, some homeless, some semi-homeless.. On a further 'side note', African-American culture has never placed a high premium on 'mainstream' mental health resources (i.e., psychiatrists/psychologists), partly for the economic issues (generally looked at as a resource for the upper middle class & above) as well as the issue of predominantly white professionals in that field and the cultural gaps many feel in expressing issues to a stranger that is not of your culture.. most black folks who seek counseling tend to depend on prayer and clergy.. also, openly religious exhortations are common in african-american communities, people may be by themselves (or in a group), and facing a crisis, or some fortuitous circumstance may befall them, prompting religious praise or entreaties. ..if angered or upset, i've seen some individuals may 'vent' for a time, at no one in particular.. how long it lasts depends on the individual..

User Detail :  

Name : christopher, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Catholic, Age : 30, City : Detroit, State : MI Country : United States, Occupation : student/journalism, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Lower middle class, 

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