When I thought about the many instances in which various early Jewish comic book authors had changed their names I wondered what this must have been like to give up ones identity. Most people often think that a name is just a name and the person who bears it is no more or less without it but I can say I would not agree.
While I can understand the reasons many jewish comic book authors and artists changed their name I am compelled to respect even more those who did not. In this case it is not just a removal of a name or switching a few letters, it is leaving behind Judaism (in some light) for safety and even profit. At the end of the day providing for family overcomes any sense of pride but, what did they lose when doing so? Or did they? Did they in some way feel guilty? I know I would.
I have known people from different ethnicities who have changed their name because in some way they thought it may make life easier though the affect is not often what they hoped for. Once the name is left behind and in some ways they feel lighter (persons I've known) feel guilty and even sorry for leaving behind a part of their life and identity. Consider the issue that the given name is a cherished family relation or even an attempt at continuing the family name!
I feel like I am over thinking this (and maybe I am) but much of what we are is because of where we have been and the names we are given not only mark us for the convenience of others they name us in identity and in our families...in our past and in our futures. I am interested to hear what anyone and everyone thinks about this, do you agree with just changing the name to obtain job security and even personal safety or is there something to be said for maintaining a name?
Although it is hard for me to put myself in the shoes of those who chose to change their name, I want to try, because my first reaction was shock as well. I've often though about what my name means to me, partially because SARAH is such a common name, and throughout my childhood it was a running joke that my friends' and I had some sort of "Heathers" club going, since the Sarah's always seemed to befriend each other. Even now, I have at least 4 CLOSE friends who share my name. I've considered changing it many times, but I know what pain it would cause my mother, so I do not. Even my last name, I was married over a year ago, and have yet to make it into the Social Security Office to change my last name to my husband's, even though the SS office is only steps from my own employer's doors. It is a difficult thing, changing your name. After all, your name is the title of your identity. So, as I reflect on the decision of those writers/artists who chose to change their name in order to "hopefully" provide a better opportunity for themselves, I find myself even more saddened to think that they had to resort to such a thing, simply because of the anti-Semitic attitudes of the people they were being employed by or whom they were attempting to entertain through their work. It is sad that anti-Semitic theories held such influence as to force these talented men to have to give up part of their identity in order to thrive. So no, I don't think you are over-thinking this subject, and if you are, then I am too. Thanks for the thought provoking post.
ReplyDeleteVery thoughtful post and comment. I think that, on the one hand, there is a loss with name changes for some people; but, to be able to imagine wanting to change one's name, we have to imagine ourselves into what it would be like to live in a situation of persecution.
ReplyDeleteWhile my experience as a Jew in the U.S. was different from that of these men-- it was much easier-- it's still not always simple being a minority; I know that when I added my husband's last name, which is much more obviously a Jewish surname, to my own, I realized how much more "Jewish" my name sounded, so in a way, I made the reverse move. I'm glad that I did it for various reasons, but if you are from a minority, there are parts of the world where your name can really make you stick out (my parents have a more complicated story along these lines from their one visit to Germany).
Gee, I guess this topic provokes me as well!