I can't get past the Aunt Jemima reference either. Since the depiction of Aunt Jemima as the old black "mammy" has always offended me (even though she is updated now) this name just rubs me the wrong way.
there will never be an era when that name is not associated with Aunt Jemima - I can't believe anyone would do that to a child - not that Aunt Jemima was a bad person or image or anything like that - but I know I'd never do it
I think there's just too much racist baggage to use this name in the US -- this association certainly isn't dead, among blacks or whites. It's like naming your kid Sambo.
Maybe acceptable in Britain, but even without the negative associations, I still think it's just kind of ugly.
I voted like it, but if I knew you were using the nn Jemma I'd have gone with love it. ;)
*Edited because "then" was a typo ... supposed to say "the nn," as it does now (didn't make much sense before) LOL
Edited 2/13/2007 11:09 pm ET by mommyagain6124
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I can't get past Aunt Jemima.
I can't get past the Aunt Jemima reference either. Since the depiction of Aunt Jemima as the old black "mammy" has always offended me (even though she is updated now) this name just rubs me the wrong way.
I LOVE Jemma/Gemma though.
i think it is a totally hip, cool name. i started thinking about it alot after someone one the board suggested it for me. and i love the nn jemma.
but when i told dh the name he seriously
*Anya, mama to 5 darling kiddos*
visit my blog:
I think there's just too much racist baggage to use this name in the US -- this association certainly isn't dead, among blacks or whites. It's like naming your kid Sambo.
Maybe acceptable in Britain, but even without the negative associations, I still think it's just kind of ugly.
http://www.upress.virginia.edu/books/manring.html
http://twilightandreason.wordpress.com/tag/aunt-jemima/
http://www.themammyproject.com
http://www.amazon.com/Aunt-Jemima-Uncle-Rastus-Contributions/dp/0275951847