An examination of how names assigned at birth carry cultural power, colonial histories, and embedded assumptions about identity, gender, and belonging.
Sor Juana's name itself—inherited, modified by her religious vocation, shaped by colonial naming conventions—embedded colonial and patriarchal authority. Her parents' choice, the church's adaptation, and her own strategic use of 'Sor' all reflected power dynamics invisible in the simple utterance of a name. Names across cultures carry genealogies of power: they mark ethnicity, class, gender expectations, and historical conquest. In many colonized societies, indigenous names were replaced by European ones, erasing cultural continuity. In patriarchal systems, women's names change through marriage, marking their legal nonexistence. This concept asks us to recognize names as political artifacts, not neutral identifiers. Understanding the politics of given names reveals how identity is assigned and negotiated, and how reclaiming, changing, or refusing names becomes an act of self-determination.
Peri can explain this concept, give practical examples, help you decide whether it applies to your situation, or recommend a journey if appropriate.
Explore related journeys or tell Peri what you're working through.