What is in a name?

It will never cease to amaze me how easy issues could be made so complicated by the media. A public figure should be mindful of statements made to the press. But this has taken a different dimension: when a name could cause such a loud media attention.

Senator Barack 'Hussein' Obama, is once again trying to abate the hype generated by the media over his name. Among other important things he should be involved with, this should never have been one of them, if not for the 'hungry' press.


I understand that it is not the name itself but the bearer of that name. Who would hear the name Hussein and nor remember the former Iraqi leader Sadaam Hussein. But should we let this affect our judgment? Throwing away the chance of having someone who truly believe in cleaning up Washington?. (I am not an Obama, nor Clinton supporter). He is simply Barack Hussein Obama and his name should not be associated with anyone.

Giving a child a particular name could be based on several factors. In Africa, it is our pride, that names are not given out of ordinary compulsion, but based on landmark events, family history, foreseeing into the child's future or on religious beliefs. Names are passed from generation to generation, father to son. In our continent, the name is seen as a form of identity for which a person or certain people are identified by. Names in Africa have meanings, they can be explained.

Who then is responsible for the names in which we are given?. Us?. Our parents?. The society we live in?. Who?. Definitely not us. I would still be who I am with a different name. Therefore does a name matter?. No.

Barack Obama should therefore not be troubled by the name 'Hussein'. Either it is the name of US former sworn enemy or that of a moderate Islamic Cleric. The American people should see him for who he is and not the name given him by his father.