Last week in my humanities course my professor asked the class to write about the origin of our names. Hearing the many beautiful and diverse stories of my classmates names inspired me to write this poem. Before I get into it, I think it's fitting to give a bit of backstory on my own name. First, my full name is Kimberly Daniella Douglas. I'm often called "Kim" or "Kimmy" by friends and family. To be completely honest, growing up I didn't like my name. I always thought it was "boring" and "too white". As I got older, I was very specific about wanting to be called "Kim" and even wished I could change my name at times.
Today, my name is tied to each and every one of my accomplishments. Kimberly Douglas is successful. She's a published writer, a high school graduate, a university student, a multifaceted creative, a performer, and the owner of her own business. She has come so far and has so much further to go. Years later I would never imagine changing a name that is attached to so many things I'm proud of. This poem is about the acceptance, growth and realization that all came with this name.
I would also like to acknowledge that I’m very privileged to have a name that has never been mispronounced, "butchered" or constantly misspelled. I understand that not everyone has that privilege. If your name is not traditionally Anglo-Saxon or “white sounding”, please don’t anglicize it for the sake of society. Don’t ever shrink yourself to make others feel comfortable. Take up space, walk with pride and correct them, every. single. time. Please enjoy the poem.
I am Kimberly.
like Kimberley, Northern Cape, South Africa.
chosen by my father
a land known for its value
in diamonds and mines
inevitable is my
ability to thrive
I have no choice but
to do great things
I was created to shine
I am Daniella.
from Daniel.
my purpose is biblical
if my name screams nothing else
it speaks of my potential
every lion that crosses me
is bound to fall
with God by my side
I will conquer all
I am Douglas.
as given to my father,
his father
and his father before that
which labelled my ancestors
its utterance
carries generations of oppression
colonization
years of weight
wounds
and cries for freedom
I am history.
still walking.
still breathing.
still living.
I used to hate the label given to me
hated to be Kimberly
but “Your name wasn’t given to you, it was given to the rest of the country”*
I’ve learned to love it
its power
its history
because when you call me
you’re calling my family
everyone who worked so I could be free
you’re manifesting
everything I am
and everything I am meant to be
so "what’s in a name?"
its what makes me,
me
Written by Kimberly Douglas©
*This quote is from a spoken word piece called "Unforgettable" by Pages Matam, Elizabeth Acevedo and G. Yamazawa. It was one of the first spoken word videos I watched in 7th grade which contributed greatly to my love for poetry. If you enjoy spoken word, please take some time to give it a watch. I promise you won't regret it.
Personal favourite lines:
"I have no choice but to do great things I was created to shine"
"my purpose is biblical"
"if my name screams nothing else it speaks of my potential"
"I am history. still walking. still breathing. still living."
"because when you call me you’re calling my family"
"you're manifesting everything I am and everything I will be"
Feel free to leave a like and any feedback below.
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