New America Media featured an interesting debate on Indian-Americans and whether they should shorten their names or not. Naturally, this brought to mind Harry “Harish” Sidhu – Anaheim City Council member and candidate for OC Supervisor wannabe. The exchange of opinions on the subject in NAM was quite interesting. Dr. Rajesh C. Oza declared himself not to be a proponent of assimilation though arguing for name changes (shortenings, rather) by noting “as Shakespeare wrote, “That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”” In the case of his own children, Dr. Oza wrote, “Looking to the future, my wife (Mangla) and I decided to give our children names that would be easy on all tongues, especially if each name was shortened to a palatable three letters. Just as “Rajeshkumar” became “Raj,” I imagined that our daughter, Anupama, would become Anu (which she happily did), and our son, Siddhartha, would become Sid (which he proudly didn’t).” Reflecting on his future as a grandfather, he ends his opinion asking the rhetorical question, “While I delight in the name Gulabi, would I love a grand-daughter named Rose any less?”
On the other side of the discussion was Dr. Oza’s daughter Anupama. She dug into family history to quickly note, “When my paternal grandparents Chhaganlal and Vijayalaxmi came to this continent in 1965, they quickly turned into Chuck and Joy in the American socioeconomic context.” Anupama followed up with analysis of why some South Asians anglicize or simplify their names. “Make the majority feel comfortable, and your chances of success rise,” she writes. “Use a name “they” are familiar with, and they will trust you, do business with you, teach your kids, and accept you. Keep a hard-to-pronounce name, and risk being marginalized.” Everyone chooses whether or not to shorten their name, even white folk, but it’s hard to fail to acknowledge the validity of Anupama’s analysis as to why some ethnic Americans choose to do so. She ends her contribution to the debate stating, “By pushing people to their limits, by giving them the chance to learn a new name, by feeding them tasty morsels of another language, we are not only retaining our heritage, we are taking a small step in eradicating ignorance and promoting diversity.” Hard to argue that sentiment!
Where, then, does Harry Sidhu fit into all of this? His birth name “Harish” didn’t really come into public consciousness until his fake residence at the Calabria Apartments in Anaheim earlier this year was exposed in paperwork research. I personally do not know Mr. Sidhu (He moved out of the neighborhood he was never a part of before we had a chance to roll our sleeves up, shoot some pool at Linbrook Billiards, drink a beer, and talk over such things!) Judging from the framework put forth by the Oza family, morphing “Harish” into “Harry” is hardly about shortening one’s name. (unless you want to count one measly letter!) As Anupama wrote, some South Asians change their name to make life easier for the dominant culture and to court their acceptance. Is this where Sidhu fits? When the politician made his first attempt at the 4th District OC Supervisor seat earlier this year, I sarcastically noted in my donpalabraz.com blog that Sidhu’s listed endorsements on his campaign website were a “colorful rainbow of diversity.” Make your assessment accordingly! In addition to that, Sidhu is a carpetbagger by any name!
As for me: you can call me “Gabriel,” “Gabe,” Gabo,” or even “Gabi” (an abbreviation preferred by chicas to use for me!) My last name? “San Roman” has an accent mark over the second “a.” Vern, if you want to make that change on my account here, go right on ahead!
What I don’t like is when his critics call him “Harish” instead of “Harry” as a form of ridicule. That’s essentially implying that his foreignness or exoticness disqualifies him (when there’s plenty of other stuff that disqualifies him better.)
It’s just like saying “Barack HUSSEIN Obama.” And I’m sure that, disingenuously, they’ll all go “But it’s his real name, what’s wrong with using his REAL NAME?”
Vern – you raise a good point! This blog post is certainly coming from that ‘other’ perspective. If those who make a point to use ‘Harish’ as a point of ridicule, let them try and justify such here. They probably won’t find much agreeable with what I have laid out in terms of discussion of the issue…
Harish can fry
(He moved out of the neighborhood he was never a part of before we had a chance to roll our sleeves up, shoot some pool at Linbrook Billiards, drink a beer, and talk over such things!)
Correction: he NEVER lived in the neighborhood. We proved that, although not to the DAs warped standard. And because he signed two voter registration forms (under penalty of perjury) saying he did, that makes him a carpetbagger and a perjurer!
I’m being sarcastic, Bushala! Hence “Sidhu is a carpetbagger by any name”
P.S. We don’t worry about the niceties of “Harish” versus “Harry.” We just call him “Hide and Seek Sidhu.” Or “#2.”
I call him “El Sidhu Loco” since he makes his yorba estate dinero off a Spanish named fast food joint.