Feb 20 2008
Erykah Badu and her daughter, Puma

Erykah Badu and Baby Puma: Who’s the Daddy?

Nothing much to say here, it’s more of a question. That’s Erykah Badu’s daughter, Puma, doing what 3-year olds do. An easy hip-pop culture trivia question is, “Who is the father of Erykah Badu’s son, Seven?” So easy, we ain’t even gonna answer it. If you wanted to get tougher, try asking who Puma’s father is.

Had I not done some digging, I’d mess around and say something like the gardener, the fitness trainer or the pool boy. Badu went Madonna/Desperate Housewive’s style. The real is, on Father’s Day, the master of skits, ghost writer of classics, the D.O.C. gets.. Well, he gets nothing. Dads don’t get any more attention or presents on Father’s Day than usual, but that’s another story.

Watch out. West Coast ‘Funkyness’ Below.

 

 


☼ What's Your Opinion? ☼

1 BLAMBO Wed, Feb 20, 2008 - 1:35 pm

What the f**k did this bitch name her child Puma for. When are we going to stop doing this to our african-american children. sometimes different equals stupid

2 amy Wed, Feb 20, 2008 - 6:09 pm

who cares who that baby’s daddy is and why she named her baby puma? the album drops next week and that’s all that matters!

3 I Agree Thu, Feb 21, 2008 - 12:05 am

Why did she name her child Puma. This is yet another case of when single mothers go wild. Stop with the f**ked up names, you are hurting your children’s chances in life when they grow up. THINK before you do this stupid shit.

4 Jah Thu, Feb 21, 2008 - 8:55 am

If she wants to name her child Puma then let her.  That’s not a guarantee that the child will have a twisted upbringing.

Would you two be more happy if she named her child something more traditional?  Why?  She can do what she wants.  Get a grip, people…

5 BLAMBO Thu, Feb 21, 2008 - 3:06 pm

True, she can name her child what ever she desires and the childs upbringing can be fine but who wants the president of their company to be named PUMA? These names ARE a stike against the kids future believe it or not. Yes the child should have a more traditional name. We need to stop with the ghetto names. They ARE hurting these kids future. Get a grip Jah.

6 Stymuli Thu, Feb 21, 2008 - 3:41 pm

You’ve got to consider that Erykah Badu has a penchant for being non status-quo. Although her music may rock, her actions off the mic don’t exactly draw praise and well-sought after attention. That being said, — and I’m not trying to criticize the chick; as the child does grow up, we all know the first thing [conventional] society is going to do is say “Puma? What the f**k name is Puma?” Secondly, they’ll ask “Who the f**K names their child Puma?” Inevitably followed by “Who are your parents?” The sins of the father (or mother) follow a child. Now it doesn’t mean that the child will grow up all types of twisted. You can name your child Brittany and she’ll be a basket case. But the fact of the matter is, how many barons of industry, heads of state, cultural icons or otherwise are there with the names of D’Aquan, Shareeta, Noname (“No Name” as seen on birth certificate in one real scenario). She might as well named the kid Snafu, or Fubar. Again, I’m not critizing, I’m just saying.

7 lil one Thu, Feb 21, 2008 - 8:15 pm

why dont everybody mind they business?? the funny part of it is that we are all free, so she can name her children whatever she wants. its not effecting me or you so why should we care? I personally like the name, what about the people who name their children hennessy or alize or alexus, then cant even spell half the drinks they name them after! look up the meaning of puma. america needs to get it 2getha and clean out your own backyards b4 u go snoopin into others!

8 Stymuli Fri, Feb 22, 2008 - 5:10 am

Lil One — As far as I knew, the definition of “Puma” was mountain lion. I concede that I don’t now it all, so I thought I’d look it up again. It still means mountain lion. Would it have been more appropriate if she named the child Snuffle Upagus? She’s a public figure. She named her child whatever she wanted to name her. Big deal. Just as she is free to name the child Battle Cat, people are and should be free to comment. It’s all just conversation.

9 AMY Fri, Feb 22, 2008 - 11:36 am

Puma isn’t a ghetto name, it’s just unconventional.I’m sure there’s some kind of meaning to it, like everything that Erykah does. And so what about names?? Barack isn’t a conventional name and he’s about to do some big things. You guys are ignorant, pathetic and very shallow. Get a life! And go cop Erykah’s album next week while you’re at it!!!

10 Kagol Fri, Feb 22, 2008 - 3:38 pm

Ms. Badu got more talent in her little toenail then y’all got in your entire ancestry. i work with a Korean woman named Cheata, so what, and to be honest, nobody gives a damn, its all about her performance.

One day y’all hatin ass bamas may be workin for for Puma.

11 Shango Fri, Feb 22, 2008 - 3:55 pm

More power to Ms. Badu, she is a poet and a visionary who is in a class by herself. As with most true artists like Coltrane, Nina Simone, Bob Dylan they rely on instincts, not society to lead them. Badu’s unconventional wisdom is what has made her so good. Hopefully mom will inspire Seven and Puma to greatness.

Just dont name ur kid Remy.

12 BLAMBO Fri, Feb 22, 2008 - 5:38 pm

Amy, Puma is a ghetto name, anytime you name your children after numbers and sneakers you have a problem. There is a difference between unconventional and down right ghetto. LEARN THE DIFFERENCE. You are right that Barack isn’t a conventional name but it ain’t stupid either. I hope that you don’t have children, I can’t imagine what you would name them. Don’t get me wrong I am a huge Badu fan but wrong is wrong. Lil one, just because we are free to name our children what we want doesn’t mean that we should do so. WE NEED TO STOP DOING THIS TO OUR CHILDREN. But as you see there are some that think that penalizing their children with these stupid names is “being different” instead of “being dumb”. By the way, my backyard is clean, my children don’t have ignorant names. THESE NAMES ARE STRIKES AGAINST THESE CHILDRENS LIVES. Think about it!

13 Amy Sat, Feb 23, 2008 - 12:38 am

Blambo, your logic is twisted. Did you personally ask her why she named her daughter Puma?? She has never given the exact reason but said there was meaning behind it. It’s Latin for “mountain lion.” Just because there’s a sneaker named Puma doesn’t means she named her daughter after it. And if she did, so what. You don’t know how her child’s going to turn out 20 years from now, lol. And Seven means “God,” aka “the black man” in the Nation of Gods and Earths. Check it out babycakes. You seem to think that names are hurting our children. Think again. What we need to be doing with our children is spending time with them and telling them how much we love them. That’s the problem. And I honestly don’t know what I’m going to name my child. I’ll deal with that years from now when I decide to have one. Until then, go cop Erykah’s new album on Tuesday and liberate your mind baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

14 BLAMBO Sat, Feb 23, 2008 - 1:29 am

Amy, My logic isn’t twisted at all. Ghetto names hurt our children. I don’t care what these names mean they are not names for children. WE NEED TO LEARN THIS. In my line of work I get the questions of why my people give our children these stupid names from people of other races so I am trying to stop this stupidity. You don’t know how many people are actually laughing at us and it pains me when I can’t defend my people because there is no defence for these parents (single mothers) that are doing this. You are right when you say that I don’t know how her child is going to turn out but the fact is that the child has a strike in life because she is african american and now another strike for that stupid name. There aren’t many strikes left before it is a strike out. Who wants an adult named PUMA to run their company. When Seven (7) goes to school how many children are going to tease her because she is a number not a name. What is she going to name her next child… (Foot). We need to stop this. YOU CAN HELP. By the way I already have that album. I get my stuff early and it is slammin’

15 ME Sat, Feb 23, 2008 - 1:22 pm

I LOVE BOTH OF THE BABIES NAMES. I THINK THEY ARE CREATIVE AND UNIQUE. IF BLACK PEOPLE WOULD STOP CALLING OUR OWN ACTIONS GHETTO, WE WOULD BE DOING BETTER. PERSONALLY, DONT GIVE A DAMN WHAT A WHITE PERSON THINKS, JUST AS THEY DONT CARE WHAT WE THINK. THEY DONT STOP NAMING THEIE KIDS BECKYSUE CUZ WE LAUGH. THEY KEEP ON DOING WHAT THEY DO AND BE WHITE. AND BLAMBO, YOU HAVE TO BE ONE OF THE MOST PATHETIC PEOPLE EVER. STOP LIVING FOR WHAT OTHERS THINK AND BE BLACK CUZ IN THE END THATS ALL YOU CAN BE. ALSO, STOP CALLING STUFF GHETTO BECAUSE A BLACK PERSON DOES IT. WHAT ABOUT GWENYTH PALTROW’S BABY NAMED APPLE. I AM SURE YOU DONT LIKE IT BUT YOU WOYLDNT CALL IT GHETTO CUZ SHE’S WHITE. IF YOU DON’T LIKE SOMETHING THAT A BLACK PERSON DOES, YOU DON’T HAVE TO EQUATE IT WITH GHETTONESS. I HAVE TWO KIDS WITH ETHNIC NAMES, KHUMARI (MEANING PRINCESS) AND SALIM (MEANING PEACE). I ACTUALLY WANTED TO NAME MY DAUGHTER ZENITH BUT HER DAD DIDN’T LIKE IT BUT IT IS NOT GHETTO BUT UNIQUE. JUST GROW UP AND STOP BEING SELF-RIGHTOUS!

16 BLAMBO Sat, Feb 23, 2008 - 1:44 pm

You love both of these names because you fall into that ghetto mentallity and yes i did say GHETTO. I showed your coments to the people that I work with and they all laughed at how stupid you sound wanting to name your child ZENITH. Thank god for that childs father or your daughter would have been named after a f**kin’ TV. You are an idiot for even writing that for the world to see. Gwenyth Paltrow isn’t black so i don’t care about her childs stupid name. By the way that is a ghetto name. I am trying to help all these single black mothers that keep hurting their childrens future with these dumb ass names. You had a father to that child that you were going to humiliate with that name so your dumb ass was stopped. I don’t equate black with ghetto I equate being ghetto with ghetto no matter what the color. You tell me to grow up. i wasn’t about to name my child after a TV. Look in the mirror dumb ass before you tell someone to grow up.

17 Amy Sat, Feb 23, 2008 - 1:46 pm

Me: you’re totally on point with everything you said.

Blambo: You can’t squeeze knowledge out of a brick so I just give up on you. Have a blessed life babycakes. I hope you REALLY listen to this woman’s lyrics and apply it to your own life. And please support this woman come Tuesday, since you apparently pirated her album. Have a nice life sweetness. My work here is done!

18 BLAMBO Sat, Feb 23, 2008 - 2:13 pm

Amy, Blambo don’t pirate. I am a DJ I get my shit early. Get your facts straight idiot.

19 Amy Sat, Feb 23, 2008 - 3:16 pm

haha! you’re pure comedy Blambo…now i’m an idiot, LMAO!!!! Geesh, thanks Blambo, my soul needed this laughter…i appreciate it babe:) enjoy the new CD honey. pun intended…toodles!

20 Did i jus read that. Sat, Feb 23, 2008 - 9:22 pm

There was a chick up here that was going to name her child Zenith after a TV. What is wrong with the females of today. Blambo is right we need to stop the horrible naming of our children. Puma Badu can not be the name of someone important in the world. Seven Badu can not be the Vice- President of any company. Yall women need to stop that dumb stuff.

21 read people, read! Sun, Feb 24, 2008 - 12:06 am

she didn’t say she was gonna name her child after a tv, and Zenith means: “the point on the celestial sphere that is directly above the observer or the point of culmination; the peak: the zenith of her career.”

look it up!

And what the f**k kind of thinking is this:

“Puma Badu can not be the name of someone important in the world. Seven Badu can not be the Vice- President of any company.”

Sad, just sad!

22 ende Sun, Feb 24, 2008 - 5:33 am

that is soooooo common’s baby

23 ME Sun, Feb 24, 2008 - 1:04 pm

AMY:I AM BLAMBO IS JUST ANOTHER WORD FOR SAMBO B/C THAT IS EXACTLY HOW SHE THINKS.

WE AS BLACK PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT UNLIKE EVERY OTHER ETHNIC GROUP IN THE US, WE DO NOT HAVE AN HOMELAND CULTURE THAT WE CLING TO. THINK OF JEWS, HISPANICS, IRISH, EVEN AFRICANS WHO CAME HERE ON THEIR OWN WILL…THEY ALL A COMMON CULTURE AND DIFFERENT TRADITIONS THAT TIE THEM TOGETHER. AFRICAN AMERICANS, BECAUSE OF OUR CIRCUMSTANCES, DO NOT. WE NEED TO STOP CALLING OUR CULTURE “GHETTO”. WE HAVE HAD TO REBUILT AND RECREATE EVERYTHING THAT WE ARE AND SOME OF US ARE OUR WORST ENEMIES. WE ARE ASHAMED OF EVERYTHING THAT IS AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURE LIKE CHITLINGS, CORNBREAD, GREENS, BAGGY CLOTHING, COARSE HAIR, WIDER NOSES, FULLER LIPS AND YES…NAMES LIKE KEISHA, TASHA OR WHATEVER ELSE MAY BE CLASSIFIED AS “GHETTO”.

OH AND BLAMBO: I AM SURE THE FRY COOKS AT MICKEY D’S WOULD LAUGH. WHAT TYPE OF JOB DO YOU WORK AT ON A SATURDAY AFTERNOON ANYWAY?! GET A 9-5 M-F LIKE A GROWN UP AND READ A BOOK INSTEAD OF JET AND SISTER2SISTER MAGAZINE AND THEN TELL ME THE MEANING OF ZENITH, PUMA OR EVEN YOUR FAVORITE SHIT, GHETTO! YOU DUMB BITCH!!!!

24 BLAMBO Sun, Feb 24, 2008 - 1:52 pm

FIRST TO THE IDIOT ME, I AM AN ACCOUNTANT TO DATE I HAVE GROSSED $9,126 AND THAT DOESN’T INCLUDE ALL THE BONUSES AND WE ARE ONLY IN FEBRUARY. SO FRY COOK THAT BITCH. I HAVE A CAREER, I HAVE CLIENTS, CAN YOU SAY THAT BITCH. THAT IS WHY I WORK ON WEEKENDS. F*CK A 9-5 JOB THEY DONT PAY AS MUCH. NOW HOW DO YOU FEEL?? EVERYTHING THAT YOU SAY THAT I AM SUPOSEDLY ASHAMED OF IS WHAT I LIKE EVEN THOSE NAMES TASHA AND KESHIA.. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THOSE NAMES IT’S THE PUMA’S THE DAQUAN’S THE THE TEQUILA’S THAT I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THOSE F*CKED UP NAMES ARE NOT ARE CULTURE, THEY MAY BE YOUR LOWLIFE CULTURE BUT NOT MINE I CAN TELL I AM HEAD AND SHOULDERS ABOVE YOUR DUMB ASS BECAUSE YOU THINK THAT THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT WORK ON WEEKENDS IS MINIMUM WAGE PEOPLE. HOW BOUT DOCTORS AND NURSES, HOW BOUT ACCOUNTANTS, HOW BOUT POLICE OFFICERS YOU STUPID ASS. I AGREE THAT WE SHOULD HAVE OUR OWN CULTURE BUT IF “GHETTO” NAMES IS IT YOU CAN KEEP YOUR LOW CLASSED CULTURE. OH BY THE WAY HOW DO YOU FEEL NOW DUMB DUMB? I WISH I COULD SEE THE STUPID LOOK ON YOUR FACE WHEN YOU READ THIS YOU LOW CLASSES ASS.

25 ONE MORE THING Sun, Feb 24, 2008 - 2:06 pm

To ME, We are our own worst enemy. Everytime we punish one of our children with the dumb ass “GHETTO” names we are showing them how much we care about their future. To read people read, nobody cares about the meaning of ZENITH all people are going to think about is the TV not that meaning. The thinking behind the comments about the names Puma and Seven being a VP or important is only the truth. If you give your kids a stupid name like that they already have a strike against them in life. Like it or not.

26 ME Sun, Feb 24, 2008 - 3:17 pm

YEAH RIGHT, BLAMBO…YOU ARE A JOKE. 2ND SHIFT CASHIER DOESN’T MAKE YOU AN ACCOUNTANT. JUST MAKE SURE MY MCGRIDDLE IS ON POINT NEXT TIME AND KEEP THE TEA SWEET. YOUR GRAMMAR IS TERRIBLE AND YOU DO NOT COME OFF AS HIGHLY EDUCATED. BUT WHATEVER…I REALLY HOPE YOU DECIDED TO READ MORE AND SPEAK LESS TO ENSURE YOU HAVE SOME TYPE LEG FOR YOU OPINION TO STAND ON. PEACE!

27 BLAMBO Sun, Feb 24, 2008 - 3:39 pm

BITCH STOP TELLING ME WHAT YOUR MOTHER DOES FOR A LIVING. YOU ARE JUST JEALOUS BECAUSE YOU AIN’T ME. I BET YOU PUT YOUR FOOT IN YOUR MOUTH WHEN YOUR GHETTO ASS FOUND OUT WHAT I DO. I PROBABLY MADE MORE NOW THEN YOUR 5 CHILD HAVING ASS WILL MAKE ALL YEAR. SHUT THE F*CK UP AND GO BABYSIT ALL THOSE KIDS YOU DUMB BITCH.

28 Concerned Black Man Sun, Feb 24, 2008 - 8:01 pm

I have read the post on this board and what saddens me is that it seems that these BLACK WOMEN think that these rediculous names are somehow BLACK CULTURE. What else saddens me is that there is no end in sight to this abuse. I really wish these women would start to think. Though he is harsh BLAMBO is right these names are ruining our childrens chances in life but these women will never get it. Barack isn’t a conventional name yet he isn’t named after numbers, sneakers, animals, or TV’s. You can be different without damaging your child. I too hope for change someday.

29 read people, read! Sun, Feb 24, 2008 - 9:49 pm

So, you admit, Barack isn’t a conventional name. That proves my point that people who don’t have “normal” names can attain success just like everyone else. But they just have to watch out for some of the narrow-minded people who’ve posted on this board. I know a girl named Christmas (yes Christmas) who owns her own business and is doing pretty well for herself.  Now how about that?

30 Blambo Sun, Feb 24, 2008 - 10:53 pm

To read people read, that doesn’t prove your point at all. I also said after that that his name was different not ghetto. I’ll say it again, you can be different without being ghetto. As for Christmas, which is different but not ghetto, owning her own business, that is what the DaQuan’s, the Puma’s, the Listerene’s, the Sheneneh’s, and the Zenith’s should do because they are destined to work at Wal-Mart with those names. Ghetto names are not black culture it is ghetto culture and hopefully one day soon these ignorant women will recognize this. If you own a business you can have any name that you want because people work for you so that is a situation that doesn’t fit in this category. THESE NAMES DO HURT, WAKE UP PEOPLE and stop penalizing your children.

31 read people, read! Sun, Feb 24, 2008 - 11:35 pm

Blambo, I’m going to borrow a line from Amy, “You can’t squeeze knowledge out of a brick so I just give up on you.”

You have a right to your opinion, no matter how absurd it is. I am not going to sit here beat this horse to death.

However, I am glad you are enjoying Erykah’s new CD! I will be purchasing on Tuesday:)

32 BLAMBO Sun, Feb 24, 2008 - 11:47 pm

To read people read, I am going to take a line from Concerned Black Man, “It saddens me that black women think that these ghetto names are Black culture.” I guess you women will just keep punishing your children. Anyway, Amy doesn’t know what our culture is she’s white. By the way the CD is hot!

33 read people, read! Mon, Feb 25, 2008 - 12:06 am

“Anyway, Amy doesn’t know what our culture is she’s white.”

Um, have you confirmed this Blambo? Just curious. I knew of a few black Amy’s growing up, lol.

And just for the record, Puma sounds a bit more exotic than “ghetto.” But of course you’ll say I’m wrong because you’re obviously an expert on “ghetto culture.”

**yawns and stretches**

But anyways, let me get back to my real life, where there’s meaning, fulfillment and soon, a new Badu CD to bump to and digest.

Peace and blessings Blambo:)

34 BLAMBO Mon, Feb 25, 2008 - 12:27 am

You are right naming your child after a sneaker sounds very exotic. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? That is what you are going for when you name you children after numbers, appliances, animals and sneakers. This should be child abuse to stop this ignorance because you guys just won’t get it. Thank god I was able to be there for my children. We need more blsck men like me to supervise the naming of our children because these women are sad. Anyone naming their children these names really can’t care about their children. Piece and blessings to you too.

35 read people, read! Mon, Feb 25, 2008 - 12:47 am

I wonder how you’re going to react if you travel the world, if you havn’t already, and you hear different, unconventional names. You won’t know how to react, lol.

And seriously, we need more black men like you to SPEND time with our children, and to TELL them how marvelous they are, and SHOW them how great they can become, and to LISTEN to them. THAT’S what we need black men to do, or at least the ones that aren’t doing their jobs. If you are, give yourself a pat on the back. Listen to Jill Scott’s song, “I Need You.” She sums it all up in their. Peace!

36 BLAMBO Mon, Feb 25, 2008 - 10:14 am

If I travel the world I wouldn’t expect a china man to have an american name. Thats not my issue my issue is the shit that they do in the hood not all over america. These women should be banned from having children.

37 AMY Mon, Feb 25, 2008 - 10:56 am

Blambo, you should be banned from thinking. I AM an African-American woman. Please put that new Erykah CD to good use and free your mind!

38 ME Mon, Feb 25, 2008 - 12:03 pm

SAMBO:YOU DEFINITELY CANNOT TRICK ME INTO THINKING YOU ARE A MAN. I KNOW YOU’RE NOT B/C OF HOW EMOTIONAL YOU ARE ABOUT THIS PETTY TOPIC. I HAVE TRIED TO EXPLAIN TO YOU THAT YOU SHOULD OPEN YOUR MIND TO THINGS OUTSIDE OF YOUR NARROW SCOPE OF VIEW. WITH YOUR WAY OF THINKING, I COULD INFER THAT YOU SHOULD NOT DO ANYTHING THAT IS AGAINST STATUS QUO. I AM A FIRM BELIEVER IN FREEDOM, THATS FREEDOM TO DO WHATEVER YOU LIKE FROM GAY MARRIAGE, A MOTHERS RIGHT TO CHOOSE ABORTION AS AN OPTION, EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL AND EVEN THE RIGHT TO NAME YOUR CHILD AS YOU FEEL. YOU KEEP SAYING THAT SOMEONE IS NAMING THEIR CHILD AFTER A SNEAKER, A NUMBER OR A TELEVISION BUT YOUR NARROW SCOPE OF VIEW IS UNABLE TO SEE THE ENTIRE MEANING OF THE NAME. NAMES SHOULD REFLECT THE SPIRIT OF THE CHILD AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THEM AS A SOUL ON THIS EARTH. EVEN COMMON NAMES LIKE MICHAEL, JOHN OR MARY HAVE SIGNIFIGANCE. I REALLY HATE WHEN PEOPLE TALK OUT THE SIDE OF THEIR NECKS WITH PURE OPINION. THERE IS A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN A NAME THAT IS ETHNIC, UNIQUE AND PLAIN GHETTO. YOU USE THE TERM SO LOOSELY TO DESCRIBE YOUR OWN PEOPLE. ERYKAH IS FAR FROM GHETTO AND I ADNIRE HER FOR BEING FREE FROM THE BONDAGE OF CONVENTIONAL THINKING. JUST LISTEN TO THE SONG “LIBERATION” ON THE OUTKAST ALBUM AQUEMINI AND YOU WILL UNDERSTAND.

39 ME Mon, Feb 25, 2008 - 12:52 pm

OH AND I AM FAR FROM GHETTO. I AM MARRIED WITH 2 BEAUTIFUL PROUD BLACK CHILDREN AND I HAVE A GREAT CAREER IN THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS FIELD WITH A MORE THAN AVERAGE SALARY AND I AM ONLY 24 YEARS OLD. I AM THE KIND OF WOMEN YOU COULD NEVER GET.

40 BLAMBO Mon, Feb 25, 2008 - 3:05 pm

To Me, I’m at work right now I’ll deal with your ghetto ass when I get home. To Amy, I’ll also deal with your white as when I get home. Yeah right you are african-american. That’s funny.

41 BLAMBO Mon, Feb 25, 2008 - 5:37 pm

Hmmm, let me see, because I have passion about getting my race out of the gutter I am a female? How dumb are you? I am also a firm believer in freedom but not stupidity and that is what is going on with these stupid females. You believe in a mothers right to choose, so do I but when they aren’t smart enough not to do these types of things to these children they should have those rights stripped away from them. You say that I keep saying that these chicken heads are naming their children after TV’s and sneakers and numbers that is because that is exactly what they are doing. Later for the spirit, later for the meaning these chicks are reaching too far to find names for their children and it is backfiring. I don’t use the term “GHETTO” to describe my people, I use it to describe the acts that they are doing. The only one using it to describe black people is you dumb ass. I admire Mrs. Badu for being free too but I don’t admire her for what she is doing to her children. Now as for you not being ghetto… You are 24 and you already have 2 kids…THAT’S GHETTO… Be honest, how many of them are you husbands? I bet they both aren’t cause that is how it is in the GHETTO. You are right I could never get a woman like you because I don’t want a woman with a load of kids by different fathers. Last, what are their names? I would really like to hear this shit!

42 ME Mon, Feb 25, 2008 - 6:25 pm

Both of my children are with my husband and I have stated their names previously…you are really either a silly, dizzy female or a fag…either way, very pathetic. I am not arguing with you for any longer, I have spent too much time explaining simple shit to you…Not to judge others or ridicule them because they have a difference in opinion from you. You have to understand that the world doesn’t have to agree with you but you do have to respect others differences in opinion. Calling our own people ghetto for something so trival is distasteful. I am very curious to hear your damn name!!! Since you like Keisha and Tasha but have a problem with a name with meaning. Please read a book between your customers at McDonald’s and maybe you could speak to me again, but with some substance. Peace again…

43 ME Mon, Feb 25, 2008 - 6:26 pm

now watch this miserable fag right something ignorant back again…..............

44 Amy Mon, Feb 25, 2008 - 6:54 pm

Me: Girl, just leave Blambo alone, lol. You don’t owe anyone (but your children) an explanation as to why you gave them their beautiful names. You just can’t get through to people like Blambo, and that’s OK. People like him feel comfortable in a box or bubble. They thrive off of their narrow-minded views and that’s OK, for their world. Girl, use your energy and time on something more useful, like listening to that marvelous music that Erykah will finally bless us with tomorrow:)

45 BLAMBO Mon, Feb 25, 2008 - 7:26 pm

To me, I see that you are interested in someone being a fag, do you have something to tell your husband??? I was never arguing with your dumb ass anyway, I am to intellegent to argue with a telemarketer. You are probably that dumb ass bitch that is calling my house with your fake charities asking for donations. Oh yeah, thats right you said your childrens names were Sylvania and Zenith. How ghetto. lol! Come on with the customers at McDonalds joke you know better than that. Besides that is getting old and your just telling us what you did for the day. I don’t have to respect opinions when they are as stupid as the GHETTO opinions that you and the white girl give. When you have your next baby by the next father why don’t you get a book of baby names so you can stop naming your children after appliances and then getting mad when someone tells you how stupid they sound. Now to the white girl, shut the f**k up… your white. I hope your children don’t have ghetto names that would be real tragic. The world would be real confused about you…

46 lololololololololollolololololololollolololo Wed, Feb 27, 2008 - 12:36 pm

yall are toooooooo funny


who cares????

blamo u are a dark secret in ur closet

this is america we are free to do as we please

im sure sojourner, tiger, beyonce, condoleeza, barack, oprah, shaquille, and countless other PROUD BLACK AFRICAN AMERICANS are making a damn name for them selves! and who’s laughing at them????

so ur self a favor and stop with the nonsense. 
people are putting too much time and effort in to something as simple as a name!

47 devie... Wed, Feb 27, 2008 - 5:59 pm

puma is adorable…but the name sounds like pumba from the lion   king. And the baby daddy is common… I wish!!!!!!!  Lolz

48 tezzy Thu, Feb 28, 2008 - 11:20 am

andre 3000

49 Stymuli Thu, Feb 28, 2008 - 1:55 pm

I wonder if when Gwenyth Paltrow named her baby Apple, there was this much debate about it amongst the white folks.

Deep down inside I don’t believe there was because in the circles that Gwenyth travels, it doesn’t matter. She comes from old money and money talks while bullshit [names like Apple] walks.

I don’t know that you can really put Sojourner into this type of discussion. Slave owners back then named their slaves conventional and aesthetically phonetic names that had no connection to the spirit. For Isabella Baume to transform herself and her spirit into Sojourner Truth transcends this discussion by epics. But as far as the Tigers, the Beyonce’s, the Condoleeza’s, Barack’s, Oprah’s and Shaquille’s… these were people who inspite of humble beginnings have become worthy commodities and world resources. WORLD RESOURCES. No one is laughing at them because they’re too rich to be laughed at.

African Americans have survived the diaspora. We’re still here. Does that mean that we should not attempt to establish as fine an African American culture as possible?  Shouldn’t what we name our children be a testament to our greatness in the face of a world community that watches us as we re-emerge from the adversity that has held us down for so long?

If being African American were a nationality— what would be our Gross Domestic Product? As a nation of African American people’s what export do we have to offer the world that we can stand behind? What brand can the rest of the world take seriously and receive with confidence? As it stands, we have hip-hop and that’s making money for the artists and for the people who’ve signed the artists (who in most cases happen to be white). How does the revenue from our GDP benefit us? How has the propagation of this…. socio-economic structure really lifted us across the board?  I don’t think any of these questions can be answered or answered satisfactorily.

Unfortunately, next to hip-hop, our greatest gross domestic product is our children. Our children are our brand, our children are our legacy. In the face of a world that has watched us rise and fall and rise again, there is an expectation that we should be greater than what we are. Why? Because we’ve already set the bar. We’ve overcome and overcome and overcome. The world already has Puma’s, and Zenith’s. And as brands, these names have already etched out equity for themselves as consumer brands. Shouldn’t our children have the opportunity to be their own brand and bear their own individuality?

The world community generally knows the difference between an African name versus an African-American name versus a Muslim name. Now the thing is, Africans and Muslims have practically been around forever. Each, respectively has contributed resources the world can’t get along without, including, diamonds, gold, iron, oil, sugar, coltan (for the manufacture of silicone used in everything electronic), and mathematics. African Americans on the other hand have been around roughly, 500 years. Although we’ve made many contributions in our day, we’ve made no significant advancements or recognized as much growth as we have with hip-hop.  And the world sees this. And the world says to us, “So what else have you got?” Our reply is “We’ve got Puma.” “We’ve got Zenith.” The world says, “We already have those. What else?”  When we say “We’ve got Keisha, Shareeka, T’Quan and Mookadine,” the world says “What are they? What do they do? And why do I need them?”

Depending on what we name our kids answering these questions may be a walk in the park in the way of achieving success in life. We’re not an African-American peoples unto ourselves. We’re African-Americans in a worldly society. We don’t need to be the Flavor Flavs of the world. We need to be the Baracks of the world. We need to be the Meneliks of the world. We need to be the Ellen Sirleaf-Johnsons of the world.

Once we’ve restored the prestige of what it means to be black to what it means to be African American can we then entertain the novelty of naming our children how freely we feel they should be named. But until such time comes, though we live a freely governed nation, we are not free. We are bound by the chains of our own indignation.

50 Nubienne Thu, Feb 28, 2008 - 5:03 pm

What hurts me is the abuse we are hurtling at each other over differences in opinions. Naming our children is an important topic, however each person’s destiny is molded by the choices they make. So even if anyone thinks Puma is a dumb name, in the end, what she accomplishes is what will be important.

51 Just for the record people: Fri, Feb 29, 2008 - 5:46 pm

In this week’s Jet magazine, Erykah says that in the astrological star system, Puma means “purity and balance.” And she confirmed that Puma’s father is the rapper D.O.C. That’s all!

52 Who cares Fri, Feb 29, 2008 - 6:25 pm

Who cares, my man is right, that was some ghetto as shit she did.

53 MIND YOUR OWN HOUSE-March 1, 2008 Sat, Mar 01, 2008 - 11:12 am

Check out the Jet Magazine article
What Sister Badu and her circle of family are instilling in these children far exceeds the topic of this battle, it is not even a discussion.  The attitudes and badgering that you young people are throwing at one another-particularly the young man- is disgraceful.  Show some respect.  As a group of people the separation is indicative of what I call ghetto.  Come on young folks, you are calling one another out of your names and that’s not ghetto.  Read the article, there are far bigger problems within our communities than what someone has named their children.  We are all children of the Creator and no matter what our names are we were all born with the tools to be successful in life. Instead of ridiculing single mothers we need to be helping.  Be of service to others…and before we can do that we have to mind our own houses.

Get the album…

54 MYOB Sat, Mar 01, 2008 - 6:32 pm

To all of you above who disagree that erykah should have not named her child Puma are empty headed, you all need to respect her creativity the only person who should have anything to say is Puma on how she feels about her name and that is all erykah is worried about. And anyway you all would probably have rathered her to name her daughter shakita and shakeisha and bonequisha because more than likely you’re going to name your children these stupid names and these are the names that will prevent the children of today to get good paying jobs and etc…. so shut up!

55 CHIEF 00 Sat, Mar 01, 2008 - 9:35 pm

EVEN THE GREAT BILL COSBY HAS SAID THAT THESE STUPID NAMES THAT WE ARE GIVING OUR CHILDREN ARE HURTING THEM. WHEN ONE OF THE MOST RESPECTED BLACKS IN THE WORLD IS SAYING THIS WE NEED TO START LISTENING. THERE ARE PEOPLE ON THIS BOARD TELLING THESE WOMEN THAT THESE NAMES ARE REDICULOUS BUT THESE WOMEN ARE TOO “INDEPENDENT” TO GET IT. I HAVE TO ECHO THE BLAMBO AND SAY THAT THIS NEEDS TO STOP. THESE NAMES DO TAKE AWAY FROM THE KIDS CHANCES IN LIFE. YES, THERE IS A CHANCE THAT THESE KIDS CAN ALSO BE SUCCESSFUL IN LIFE BUT THESE NAMES AREN’T HELPING. ERYKAH BEING HER CHILDRENS MOTHER IS GOING TO EASE THE PAIN OF HER CHILDRENS NAMES BUT THE AVERAGE MOTHER THAT GIVES THEIR CHILDREN THESE “UNCONVENTIONAL” NAMES, AS SOME OF YOU CALL THEM, CAN’T SUPPORT THEIR KIDS FINANCIALLY LIKE ERYKAH BADU CAN. QUESTION TO THESE MOTHERS: HOW WOULD YOU LIKE IT IF YOU WERE IN SCHOOL AND THE TEACHER IS CALLING ATTENDANCE AND WHEN IT COMES TO THE TEACHER CALLING YOUR NAME EVERYONE STARTED TO LAUGH? WE REALLY NEED TO THINK BEFORE WE DO THIS TO OUR CHILDREN.

56 Puma is a fabulous feline Sun, Mar 02, 2008 - 1:26 am

Lets give Erykah the respect we all know she deserves
Yes it may be a brand name
and it is unfortunate that a corporation has co-opted the name of a gorgeous creature
but that does not mean we can’t take it back
Praise erica for naming her daughter after both a beautiful animal and a beautiful flower (it’s Puma Rose btw)
i know she did not name that child after the wrong runing stripes
yall are being dumb

57 CBM Sun, Mar 02, 2008 - 1:35 am

True she didn’t name her child after a sneaker but we all know that is the first thing that is going to come into peoples head. This is not being dumb this is being realistic. We have to think before we do this to our kids.

58 This entire conversation is sad Sun, Mar 02, 2008 - 9:43 pm

Truly. That Blambo states over and over again that this is something single mothers do is ridiculous. I’ve gone to school with some people who had truly ignorant name, and educated married parents. So what does that mean. It is a name, if you want to change something be sure that you and yours don’t give the children born to you ignorant names. Also, a DJing accountant who works on a saturday afternoon is a busy person, wow Blam.

And, many of you are right there are many names being forced on children that are ridiculous, but don’t put all of that on the shoulders of single mothers. It’s not a race, culture or marital status thing it’s a fact that birth certificates should not be filled out until everyone is sure that the drugs have worn off. So why not stop the dumb ass argument and just admit. You dig Badu’s music, her creativity, somebody shoulda told her tail no when she got ready to name that girl Puma. It isn’t any of our business who knocked her up.

59 BLAMBO Mon, Mar 03, 2008 - 10:10 am

To the post above, sorry to tell you that this is a race thing, this is a single mother thing. I heard the story about Bill Cosby saying the same thing that I am saying. This is a black thing. I didn’t just wake up one morning and say that single mothers do this, I have done my research. MOST of the time that this happens this is a single mother that thinks her child is a doll instead of a human being and gives them a stupid name. Case and point the idiot that was going to name her child “ZENITH” until her husband stopped her. I realize that this is 1 case but there are thousands like this. I figure 2 people together 1 of them will be smart enough to say stop but unfortunately there are a lot of women choosing to have babys from one night stands and booty calls and here come these ghetto names. I do agree with you on one thing, I do dig Badu’s music.

60 Mary Mary Tue, Mar 04, 2008 - 5:44 pm

There must be some truth to this being a single mother thing. How many men have you heard defending these names. Just something to think about!

61 Something else to think about Tue, Mar 04, 2008 - 10:29 pm

How many men have you seen actually give birth to babies???

62 BLAMBO Wed, Mar 05, 2008 - 12:34 pm

Just because you are having the babies doesn’t give you the right to give them stupid names. There was a FEMALE AFRICAN-AMERICAN College professor on one of the morning shows saying that we must stop doing this to our children. She said herself that if she was looking in a phone book for a doctor and saw one with a ghetto name right or wrong she would probably pass that doctor by BASED ON NAME ALONE. Now we have Bill Cosby and a high ranking college professor saying these things. When is it time to start listening? YOU ARE HURTING YOUR WHOLE RACE WITH THESE NAMES PEOPLE! STOP IT!

63 SIGH!! Wed, Mar 05, 2008 - 1:27 pm

I wish the name Puma would stop being referred to as a sneaker’s name. It goes to show how little we know about much of anything. Puma is a type of cougar and also the name of a hindu goddess. Get out and read sometimes while you are trying to knock folks for naming kids out of the ordinary. Look how stupid you look.

64 To the post above Wed, Mar 05, 2008 - 1:35 pm

So I am guessing that Puma is not the name of a sneaker in your world. That is a dumb name weather you like it or not. I don’t know why women are so hooked on giving their children ignorant names and then searching for a meaning for it. These women are searching too far for a different, usually stupid, name. Where are the fathers of these children? Just because you feel it is ok to give your children horrible names doesn’t mean that we cant stand up against this stupid shit. Look how ghetto you look.

65 CBM Wed, Mar 05, 2008 - 2:14 pm

Lets face it, no matter how much we try to HELP these women they are always going to ghettofy their children with these names. This is why I think that it should be a man and a woman that decide to have a child. As the woman on this site has stated. “How many men are having these babys.” By that statement she clearly feels that the child is hers and not the father’s but the minute child support comes into play I’ll bet that she will be wanting it. So sad that they will never get it.

66 B the one the only Wed, Mar 05, 2008 - 9:14 pm

Here is a list of ghetto names:
            *Markeisha
            *Laqwandra
            *Shawntrelle
            *Dayvida
            *Pooh
            *Boo, Boo-Boo
            *Markeiyana
            *Lavitra
Did I list your Ghetto- ass name yet?
Puma is a wild cat, a fierce creature of nature. I would never challange a “puma” but I wiil beat the ass of a “Laquita”

67 Wilbur Thu, Mar 06, 2008 - 11:29 am

You did a very good job on your ghetto names but yu forgot one…PUMA!!! HAMMERHEAD is a great shark would you name your child that?

68 Wilbur: Now there's a willy nilly name for ya! Thu, Mar 06, 2008 - 10:32 pm

WILBUR!!!!

LOL!!!!!

69 TO THE POST ABOVE Fri, Mar 07, 2008 - 5:46 pm

The name may be willy nilly but it sure as hell isn’t ghetto.

70 Wilbur: Now there's a willy nilly name for ya! Fri, Mar 07, 2008 - 10:40 pm

It’s not ghetto but country as hell! LOL!!

71 TO THE POST ABOVE Fri, Mar 07, 2008 - 11:50 pm

It may be country but name me a famous Daquan, Puma, Laquandra, Tequilla, and so on and so on. I can live with my country name but these ghetto ones are rediculous.

72 come on black people come on Mon, Mar 10, 2008 - 1:46 am

Stop the maddness, previous posters are saying that Single Black mothers are naming there children Ghetto ass names—- come on—- I’m a single parent—dad is still around—I didn’t name my daughter a ghetto name , Danielle after a friend and I also don’t dress her in Baby Phat and Rockwear or Apple bottoms, or any hoochie clothing.  Sure getting the call back for the job is crucial—however going for the interview can still hurt your chances of getting the job, If your black Or even very black.  Think about it sometimes being black means your damned if you do and damned if you don’t. I’m a teacher and i see a lot of names—some call them ghetto and yes i secretly think that about some. But when I look at there bright eyes I realize what will be will be I hope to give them inspiration and tell them that you can be all you can be.


So, now that the kids are named—ghetto names as some say—who is giving up there time? since some are so concerned about how these kids will now be able to market them selves? 


pls beautiful black people lets realize we can not change any one’s opinion and lets not disrespect each other.
  this SHit is getting embrassing- we all work, no matter where it is!  many peace and blessings i love you all and you dont even know it !!!!!!!!!!!! Nicole

73 Salute to Erykah! Tue, Mar 11, 2008 - 5:46 pm

Congratulations, Erykah, on a fabulous new thought-provoking, “in-your-face” political and spiritual work of art with your New Amerykah Fourth World War CD. I salute you for the awesome continuance of your creativity, I respect you for mothering two beautiful and beautifully named children, Seven and Puma, and I continue to support you by recommending and purchasing your music. Continue evolving, my sister.
Anna,
Sister in Europe

74 To the post above: Tue, Mar 11, 2008 - 10:19 pm

Alas! Someone with good sense:)

75 I'M GLAD Wed, Mar 12, 2008 - 2:22 pm

I am actually glad that this topic has come up because this needs to be addressed. We need to think about the children when we name them. Not just be selfish and think about ourselves. It is the children that have to live with these names not the parents.

76 be real,... Fri, Mar 14, 2008 - 12:42 am

do you really care about what names people choose for their kids? i have met doctors with names that were very ethnic or what you would classify as down right ghetto—lawyers too.  they find a way around it—example laquanda april trenton—Dr.L April Trenton or L.April Trenton—- Whatever , its about marketing chnge the view not your name.  Its done quit crying . the naming wont stop you stll laugh and cll it ghetto.  and they wll stll raise their kids. and mostly likely find a job, even if you wouldnt hire them, Some will some wont so what——-  This shouldnt be a subject, what about black on black violence, proverty the election? darfur ? shit… this issue is played out—been snce the 90’s once again befre you ask yes i am a parent and yes i named my daugther—Danielle—but i do respect everyone ideas althoug i dont agree with them this issue should not be at the fore front.


peace, Nicole

77 To the post above Fri, Mar 14, 2008 - 1:07 am

This is part of the problem in our race we only care about our own not realizing that these names hurt all of us not just the child that is being named the names. For every one name like the one you mentioned there are at least 50 that don’t squeeze through the cracks. Yes most of them will find jobs but if you are counting all the ones that are going to be stuck working at K-Mart, Wal-Mart, and Burger King then yes most will find jobs but I am talking about careers not jobs for these children. This definately should be a subject so most of these people that are damaging the children with these “cultural names” will wake and stop adding to the downfall of our race. If this has been an issue since the 90’s and it is still around that should tell some of these people something. If you respect everyones decision that is your choice but I can’t respect stupidity. To all the Shaquanna’s, Tequilla’s, Shenehneh’s, and all the other ghetto named children I apologize for the ignorance in our race, blame your parents and all in your race that support this shit, also start to change this by naming your children smartly.

78 Daddy saved the day Fri, Mar 14, 2008 - 1:14 pm

To the woman that was going to name her child after a TV. Thank god that you were stopped.

79 Here's a clue Fri, Mar 14, 2008 - 10:26 pm

Here is a clue for you to know that your childs name is ghetto. When you have to explain the definition of your childs name after you tell someone the childs name, the child shouldn’t have it. Just a friendly reminder people.

80 get a life and a clue 2 wrongs dont make a right Sat, Mar 15, 2008 - 12:12 am

to the post above—Daddy saved the day—no i don’t just care about my own children.  i teach i care about all children.  i care about what they eat, although they are not mine.  i care about how they dress, and how they speak.  even how they were their hair. as a race, i wish black women would stop relaxing their hair—not going to happen just like naming of the kids is not going to stop happening.  people keep saying our race and our kids our culture.  oh really some dont care to know there real culture or look like their real ethinicity. but to each his or her own.  i just think that some of the parents whom have given their child the names may actually like them. even if no one else does and while teaching i learned something else… some one the parents cant read or write.  one parent explained to me her life struggles and told me that she named her daughter danyell—danielle like my daughter but had to find a way to spell it.  thats sad i wont knock them. yes i respect their right i cant beat my views into them.  Hell, the American people told Bush f**k you we dont want you and guess what he said oh well—just like the parents wll continue to—oh and yes this subject is so 90’s just like crack, gang violence and racial profiling—

81 oh and.. Sat, Mar 15, 2008 - 12:16 am

there are Tom’s, Heather, Dick, Becky and Jan’s that take my order at mcdonalds or bag my groceries at jewel’s and even get me a price check at walmart. 

but i understand your view.

82 To the post above Sat, Mar 15, 2008 - 12:34 am

I happen to think that Daddy did save the day in that case. I really think you are not the norm with most of these women on this post. No comments that anyone makes are 100% so nobody is probably speaking on you. You said that some parents may like these names but they need to think about the children and not about themselves. I would never give a child of mine a name it I thought noone else would like it. Like it has been said before the parents need to think about the child’s future not themselves. Not you, but these women need to get over their ghettoism and try to assist in their childrens future. To you I say keep doing our race proud and have a good night. To the rest of them, including the person that was going to name her child ZENITH, I say stop this shit. PLEASE!!!

83 Sharon Sun, Mar 16, 2008 - 3:48 pm

To the people that are saying this isn’t an important topic: This is a topic that is well over due. We do need to stop with the “names with meaning” or “cultural names” as they are being called. Our race is being laughed at and it is our whole race when parents give their children these names. We all end up trying to defend you when you do this to your children. I personally am tired of trying to defend what you do. I am constantly asked why “we” do this to our children and I have to seperate myself from these parents and constantly say that it’s not me that is doing that and I usually get back that it’s black people that is why I am being asked. So you see we are all affected by these names. Just think about everything before you name your children. that’s all.

84 BLAMBO Mon, Mar 17, 2008 - 12:37 am

Thank you Sharon, now I hope that stupid white chick and the one who was going to name her child after a TV are reading this. STOP THE DUMB SHIT LADIES!

85 To Salute to Erykah person Mon, Mar 17, 2008 - 1:55 am

There ain’t nothing beautiful about them names. What are your kids names? Or should I say what your kids names is? Maybe now I’m speaking your language.

86 Stymuli Mon, Mar 17, 2008 - 6:23 pm

This conversation is still going on?  It’s been almost a month. I’ve put more than my share of two cents in— God knows I have, but you know what…. the kids already have these names. We gotta do like Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions and just “Keep on Pushing.”

If you haven’t already and this goes out to everyone, you should pickup W.E.B. DuBois’ “The Souls of Black Folk.”  That should end all this discussion.

87 To Stymuli Mon, Mar 17, 2008 - 7:18 pm

This just shows that this is a more important topic than previously thought. We do have to keep pushing but part of the keep pushing is change. We have to stop stamping the ghetto on our children as soon as the come out of the womb. I personally thank god that this topic has come to light maybe some of these parents will think before doing this. I understand when you say the kids already have these names but we are trying to get it right for the future children. I wish we could stop but some of these people need to be challenged on this or they wil just keep having children and giving them these names. Change is needed.

88 none of this matters Tue, Mar 18, 2008 - 1:26 am

most of you have made valid points but one thing no one has brought up is this: Of course your gonna think that a name like “puma” iis strange b/c u live in america where they tell you that names like “jessica” and “amanda” are “acceptible”
but in other countries, they may think those names are strange.. and on a more important note…. technically my name is Antoinette… which is french… but i am not french and i am not european….. so that is not my name…. it is my “slave name” b/c if slavery never happened ... antoinette would never be my name….. it wouldnt even be in the english language. i say all this to say… for thos of u that think that funny names = incompetance… i dont blame you b/c they have put black people down and made us hate ourselves so much….. that includes ur REAL names! so no wonder u hate PUMA and SEVEN u cant help it b/c they make u feel that wthout their names and their beliefs u are INCOMPETENT!

89 Stymuli Tue, Mar 18, 2008 - 2:20 pm

To Stymuli,

    I absolutely respect that change is needed, and providing that you read my two lengthy posts during the beginning of this dialogue nearly a month ago, you’ll see that I echo your comments.

    At the same time however, I feel that as a black person myself, having watched in my black lifetime where African-American culture has been and where it’s going… I have to ask myself whether or not all the dialogue and heated debate accomplishes anything or whether or not all of that energy should simply be put towards something else.  You know what I mean?

    Something dangerous has happened to black people within the span of the last 40 years. We’ve collectively allowed ourselves to become victims of our own circumstance. Choosing to acknowledge our plight rather than fight it. It’s dangerous and it’s draining.

Change is needed. But change is something profoundly personal. Ultimately change depends on whether or not you (we as a nation of African-Americans) are willing to act on it or spin our wheels in intellectually-masturbatory debate. I whole-heartedly agree with you. Change is needed.

90 Hauli Tue, Mar 18, 2008 - 11:44 pm

My friend showed me this at work and I need to put my two cents in because this “name game” is ridiculous. My name is of East African origin and means ‘power.’ I’ve been successful in my career and my life, with an unorthodoxed name like Sharon, Jessica or William. And as a productive American citizen, I have to say that there are more pressing things going on in the black community than a “ghetto.” If you don’t think so, open your eyes. I mentor local college students and work with them on business etiquette and money management so they can have somewhat of a foundation when they graduate. That, to me, is more important than the debate over a “ghetto” name. (And what’s so “Ghetto” about ‘Puma’ and ‘Seven’ anyway?? They’re more unconventional names that don’t fit in with the ‘Beckys’ and ‘Johns’ of the world, but so what? Who really cares?) It’s so sad that you all want to fit in sooooo bad. You’ll do anything for YT to like you, heck, you’ll lick his ass crack for acceptance. You turn your nose up at anything afrocentric/different/unconventional/out-the-box and celebrate all these Europeanized names and holidays that weren’t even made for you. But you celebrate them to fit in. Wake up, people! Wake THEE HELL up! It’s MUCH DEEPER than a got dam name! MUCH, MUCH, MUCH, MUCH deeper!! And you’re IGNORANT if you don’t think so. Open your minds and live and think outside the box.

And to people downing the lady who wanted to name her baby Zenith, so what? All you have to do is look it up or ask her what it means. Besides, it’s her child and her business. Just like Erykah’s Halle named her baby Nahlah. Not conventional but it’s her business. People are so caught up in these celebrity’s lives that it’s funny. Like they care about you and what you think, lol.

WAKE UP PEOPLE! WAKE UP!!!

91 Stymuli Wed, Mar 19, 2008 - 4:00 pm

Hauli,

  Ok. What are the more pressing things going on? Lack of opportunity among [the majority] of blacks? The disparate ratio of blacks versus whites imprisoned in America? The growing rate of illiterate [black] children across the nation? The super-gang pandemic sweeping our nation’s inner cities? Whose to say what is more pressing and what is relatively more important or not?

You’re name is of East African origin— and that’s cool. Fortunately for you, your name carries the weight of heritage and culture. Although “Zenith” and “Puma” have strong literal definitions, just like you said, “No one cares.” All they see is what’s culturally relevant. And in these United States where capitalism is key, “Zenith” means TV and “Puma” means athletic shoe.  You said it yourself— you’re successful.  But how successful are the children named Alize, Lexus, Puma and Zentih going to be in a capitalistic society/economy? Especially one where the gross domestic product is dwindling?

You’ve made a poignant point. You are clearly educated which means you’ve received higher education. Why? Was it not to “fit in” to a more global society? Not necessarily a white one, but a functioning society? Conversely, the colleges that your mentees attend, who runs those colleges? Who sits on the board of regents, college admissions office and bursars/registrars offices at these colleges? Barring HBCU’s, is it not “YT?”

Here’s a rhetorical question. I’m going to assume your name is pronounced [Hah-oo-LEE] or [Ah-OO-lee]. When you introduce yourself to [ignorant] people. What do they say? Do they say, “Wow, what an interesting name,” or “That’s a unique name,” or even “What a pretty name”? I’m willing to bet that’s what happens when people meet your for the first time.  How do you perceive that conversation progresses for someone with a perceptively “Ghetto” name?  Not so well.

America isn’t even receptive to immigrants with names that are as some overly-proud Americans would say, “a mouthful.” Think about it. When the Jews came to Ellis Island over from Israel, Russia, Germany and the lot with names like Yankelbaum, Schpitzer and Frankenheimer, the customs agents, trucated the names, shortening them to Yankel, Spitzer and Franken.

Originality is cool. As an [visual] artist I’m all for it. But taking creative license with your kids life makes about as much sense as dangling your kids from a hotel window.

Furthermore, there is a difference, wouldn’t you say, between Halle Berry an influential, academy-award winning actress, global superstar and millionaire naming her child Nahlah, (also the name of Simba’s Lioness in the lion king) and some chick from around the way who hasn’t graduated high-school and can’t read naming her child “Adidas.” I exaggerate, but do you see my point?

Halle Berry, Gwenyth Paltrow and Erykah Badu don’t care what we think and that’s cool. To them it doesn’t have to matter. They for all intents and purposes aren’t “regular” people. They don’t face the [same] everyday challenges “regular” people do.

So when we wake up as you’re telling us to do, and we open our eyes to the more pressing things; when we start thinking out the box, what do we do about the Nixzmary Browns being overlooked by teachers and welfare workers while being beaten to death by parents who named them so?

How deep is it? Is it 500 years deep? Is it slave-masters renaming slaves after themselves deep? Is it as deep as slave ship captains renaming slaves for easy inventory? Or is it as deep as Ancient Islamic East Africans enslaving other Africans and changing their names deep?

I’m afraid it’s not so easy as “waking up.” I’m afraid that the box you’re telling us to live and think out of is an abstract construct as old as time; a construct relative to each and every society. If you think you can live in Islamasbad and name your child “Becky” and she’ll have a glowing future, that’s something that isn’t going to happen. The box we live in is America where even the luxury of naming your child whatever you want is something reserved for the elite, the influential, the powerful and those protected by them.

America would sooner help Indonesians affected by Tsunamis than they would black people affected by Katrina. What makes you think they would accept African-Americans with name-brand names rather than non-Americans with cultural ones?

92 Stymuli Wed, Mar 19, 2008 - 4:08 pm

To bring my point home, when we African-Americans wake up and start thinking and living outside the box, when we start acknowledging the “deeper stuff” and stop being ignorant, what would you have us do? Simply mind our own business?

Seems to me we’ve been minding our own business individually and on level of black nationalism since we “got free”. Maybe it’s no wonder why we’re confused about whether our culture is a[n lost] African one rich in heritage of kings and queens or a hip-hop culture where other people get rich off our materialism.

Interesting.

93 BLAMBO Wed, Mar 19, 2008 - 9:28 pm

Stymuli is the good cop about this I am the bad cop. I have sat around long enough and watched these people, namely single mothers, do this to their children. Hauli, yes you do have a different name but that is because you are from East Africa so you are excluded from the “name game.” These names that I am talking about people are saying that they are our (black) culture and that is just not true. As I have stated before there is nothing wrong with being different but these people are reaching too far to be different and it is penalizing children. There are more topics that are more important than this but for now this is the topic and Black people don’t realize how important this is. These people are playing with their childrens future like their children are toys. The best thing that I have read on this site is that if you have to follow telling someone your childs name with the definition, the child shouldn’t have god damn name. That is so true. Bottom line is that until we get this our children will be punished.

94 Richard Sat, Mar 22, 2008 - 6:59 am

Blambo, you have expressed your concern for the children of these parents who feel that creating a unique name is clever and has no impact upon their futures.  There is a guy name Booker T. Jones, III who created a Website that will allow anyone to type in their name and then they can choose a special meaning to each letter in that name.  That way they can tell their child that they named him/her because the name means something special. Go to http://www.speacher.com and click on “Create Name Positivity”. Then type a name in the RED box, click on Name Positivity and some words will be attached to each letter of the name.  Click Review they the name info can be printed out or copied and pasted. Let me know what you think.  I thought it might help if at least those unique names had a meaning.

Richard

95 Beautiful Sat, Mar 22, 2008 - 1:40 pm

Badu has a son named Seven Sirius Benjamin born in 1997 with ex-partner André 3000 of OutKast fame. On July 5, 2004, Badu gave birth to a daughter, Puma Rose, in her Dallas home. The father of her second child is West Coast rapper The D.O.C.. She also dated rapper Common from 2000 to around 2002.

96 Eclectic Brown Sat, Mar 22, 2008 - 7:05 pm

What’s very silly of finger pointing “progressives” is to ASSume her daughter would be the president of someone else’s anything. That seems as foot shuffling as naming a black child becky and expecting this society to accept them. Why do black people that think they are more conscious, more cultured, more black have to assume those who aren’t as narrow minded as they are lack sense. In essence you’re just as counter productive as thug/hoodlum. Always have to have this let me go along so “they” will let me be a (fill in the blank) of their (fill in the blank). Let her daughter keep the name. Let’s name our kids what the hell we want and also raise them to be the CEOs of their own. The presidents of their own. Hell, teach them to be owners.

97 Sorry for ya' Mon, Mar 24, 2008 - 3:52 pm

Eclectic, please tell me that isn’t your name. No wonder you are defending that dumb shit, you’ve been punished with that name. If anyone is countrer productive that would be your parents trying to be “different” and screwing you up with that name. But as others have said you people just won’t get it and you guys just keep making the point louder and clearer. Now there’s a name that should be followed up with the meaning. So sad…

98 BLAMBO Tue, Mar 25, 2008 - 10:56 pm

Richard I hear what you are saying but these “names with meanings” as they are being called, are getting our race laughed at and talked about like nobody would believe. I know the correct thing to say is who cares what anyone else thinks but in the real world it doesn’t work that way. When these parents are naming their children they have to stop looking for a “special meaning” and start thinking about how people will react to these names because it is the children, not these parents, that have to go through school, college, and the rest of their lives with these insulting names. All I have to say is common since is needed.

99 Tanysha Wed, Mar 26, 2008 - 2:26 am

I have never seen such ignorance being sprayed all over this damn page over a f**king name. This is absolutely pathetic!

For Blambo:

You obviously have your closed-minded opinion and that is what works for you as well as for Sharon and Bill Cosby.

For Amy, Me and those who have open minds:

You have your opinions as well and that is what works for you.

Neither side will see eye to eye on it because this has been a back and forth shouting match.

As for our race being laughed at, we have been laughed at for 400 years whether we are rich or broke, slaves, middle class or upper middle class so that is meaningless. If I was to take the opinions of you, Bill Cosby and Sharon, I would have committed suicide a long time ago. It’s as if you are saying that we have to be pleasing to white people and not have an identity of our own. I have a problem with that.

I have heard opinions like yours being shoved down my throat daily and I got to the point where I was sick and tired of hearing it and I say to hell with every last one of you. I now march to the beat of my own drum and if I want to name my child a name of meaning and substance, I will do so as I damn well please and there’s nothing anyone can say or do about it.

What may make sense to you, does not to someone else. Why? They have different references than you do which in turn would make their standards and beliefs completely different than yours. It’s a fact whether you like it or not, NOT EVERYONE IS GOING TO AGREE WITH YOU…PERIOD.  It’s all in your perception. Your real world is not the same as someone else’s all because their perception is different than yours. Simple as that.

Even if you don’t agree, you don’t even have to like them as people but you must respect where they stand even if you think it’s sad or not.

And to both sides…you can’t change people’s views no matter how hard you try. Here’s a quote for you all…

“Whether you can or you can’t, either way you are right.”

Some food for thought.

As long as it resonates with you, that is all that matters. when you listen to your inner voice and it is more loud and clear than the opinions of the outside world, you have mastered YOUR LIFE.

...and Erykah has mastered hers.

100 BLAMBO Wed, Mar 26, 2008 - 10:08 am

I’d rather be closed minded instead of putting my children through the mental abuse that they are going to go through because their parents are so “OPEN MINDED”. I guess you feel since our race has been laughed at for over 400 years lets just give our children these rediculous names and continue to clown ourselves. If these opinions are being shoved down your throat repeatedly at some point you should start to listen unless you have already done this dumb ass shit to your children if you have any. If I don’t agree you say I must respect where they stand, no, that isn’t true, I can’t respect stupidity. Some people shouldn’t listen to their inner voices because the IQ of their inner voice is so low that thier children suffer. I am a believer of having our own culture but who picked “GHETTO NAMES” as black culture. There is alot more culture to being black than being ignorant. But we just keep supporting this ignorant shit. When will we learn?

101 ONE MORE THING Wed, Mar 26, 2008 - 10:41 am

Your last paragraph you said that as long as it matters to you that is all that matters. That is just the thinking that has these children getting talked about and laughed at in school. It should matter to the child not to the parent, the child is the one that has to live with these names. What all those who choose to stupify their children with these names needs to understand is that kids can be cruel and when they hear these names in grade school your child will suffer because you are so open minded. I personally didn’t know that giving your child a stupid name makes you open minded but I guess in the “hood” it does.

102 Stymuli Wed, Mar 26, 2008 - 11:30 am

To One More Thing:

  Well said.

103 to any and everyone Wed, Mar 26, 2008 - 12:42 pm

I don’t care what you name your child, just make sure they are respectful and open to learning.  I have many Madison and Kennedy’s in my class along with a Heather and Donald.  Whose parents and their actions are Ghetto ass Hell!! However Banquandia is very respectful and the smartest child in my class. And has been since she’s been in school. Her mother name is what some would call Ghetto, but she is the most pleasing to deal with.  Is it because of her name or the way she was raised???  Fuck the name ( excuse my french) and teach your muthaf**king kids some damn since….. those names above told me f**k college and career—and i suspended them and Kelli, Adam ( some parents—didn’t say shit to their kids but did curse me out!! ) go figure..  I’d hire a Vonquesha , and so would you if you saw how some oridnarily named people act!! But these may be the few.  Just like the few you’ve run across.


If you dont stand for something you’ll fall for anything.  Peace and blessings as always   Love, Nicole

104 oh and fuck the bullshit Wed, Mar 26, 2008 - 12:45 pm

yes names can matter.  But damnit if attitude doesnt play a crucial part.

your attitude determines your altitude

yeah, nicole

105 BLAMBO Wed, Mar 26, 2008 - 3:58 pm

Nicole, it is nice that you don’t care what these childrens names are but you are the minority when it comes to that. As for Banquandia, I had to laugh when I heard that dumb shit, Her parents need to be hit in the face with a hammer for doing that shit to a child that seems to be so beautiful. You can say f**k the name but the fact remains if most people are going to a business meeting and heard the VP of the companys assistant came into a multi-million dollar meeting with the name Banquandia, WOW, I just laughed again, people are going to have second thoughts even if it is just for a few seconds. If Vonquesha was to come to my office for a job yes, I would look for someone just as qualified or at least close in qualifications and I would go with them. Right or wrong this is called protecting your business. Perception is everything in corporate america and lets face it Banquandia and Vonquesha are not NAMES that run offices like it or not. So the moral of this story is if Black america wishes to set their children up to fail then just keep doing this dumb shit. Banquandia, this is a new low for ghettofying. Oops just thinking out loud again.

106 The mindset in this forum is very, very sad: Wed, Mar 26, 2008 - 10:42 pm

To Blambo and other’s with a pea for a brain: Please sit the f**k down. Right now.

A woman named CONDOLEEZA is one of the most powerful authorities in the world. And woman named OPRAH basically runs one of the most successful business ventures ever. Also,a man named BARACK might be the first black president in history. These are not your everyday “Lizzy’s” and “Michaels” but these people are running boardrooms, pitching foreign policy plans and changing the course for Black America. If they can do it, then anyone else with a different name can, if they don’t run into people like you who are a detriment to societial thinking with your close-minded ways. Your name doesn’t determine where you’ll end up. Your actions and attitudes do.

107 yeah you, Thu, Mar 27, 2008 - 12:02 am

Blambo,  LOL @ your comments you should work in Radio seriously your show would get mad play.. think Wendy Williams love to hate and love her ? can you do that all at once??  anyways, in another life we would be BF for sure.  Your very out spoken…But take your hammer and hit people who name their children Chloe and Madison… But they actually look and act like Gremlin and Failure.  And while your swinging hit Kelli and Adam for me.  They have basic names and a very basic ass mindset too.  Peace , bless Nicole

you know you DEAD WRONG for talking about a student i would love to have birth yes she is very beautiful inside and out


YOur ATtitude determines YOur ALtitude

108 BLAMBO 00 Thu, Mar 27, 2008 - 10:18 am

To the post that is 2 above this one, The mindset of this forum is sad but it needs to be had. You picked out 3 of the names that fell through the cracks and now you think this applies to everyone. NOT TRUE. If they can do it then anyone can, NOT TRUE, if that were the case then we all would be running for president. For every name like that that you pick out I can pick out 1,000 that are held back because of these names. Sorry that you think that your name has nothing to do with where you end up but in this world yes it does. It’s not the only thing but it plays a part. To the post directly above, I know that some of my post are tough on people but if you don’t get tough on people they will just continue on as if nothing is wrong. The comments that I make I make them from experience, I have 3 children and oh yes, ONE WITH A GHETTO NAME, it’s his mothers fault I had no say in the matter and every time someone ask me his name I have to explain it to them. So you see I am in the category that I speak on. I understand that nice people want to believe that this isn’t important but guess what people??? It is. Oh yeah about the kids that are in your class that act the way they do just remember one thing, IT COMES FROM THERE GHETTO ASS PARENTS! You just keep doing what you do and do the WORLD proud. From me to you I say thank you for being a teacher. We need more of you in our communities.

109 Stymuli Thu, Mar 27, 2008 - 12:18 pm

You see?

In response to: “The Mindset in This Forum Is Very Sad,” You are illustrates two key points I keep on emphasizing. Context and capitalism.

Contextually speaking, the name Condoleeza is Spanish— not ghetto. To further add to the context of her nomenclature, she comes from an educated affluent, educated and influential black bourgeoisie family. In other words, she comes from power so her family could have named her “Sweet” (which is what her name really means) and she’d most likely still become Secretary of State.

Barack Obama is not an African-American made-up name. It is an African Kenyan name. Additionally, growing up, he didn’t go by Barack, he was called “Barry” instead. He knew what time it was back then and he knows what time it is now. It’s a trade off. He understood that in order to be accepted he had to live in the context of society by being more conventional with his name. Now that he’s in a position of influence, a position of power, he doesn’t have to worry about his name. He’s already proven himself.

As far as Oprah is concerned, Here middle name is Gail. If Oprah wasn’t invited to the party on account of a name, there’s no reason why Gail couldn’t get in with the same credentials.

What you have to consider before self-righteously announcing that everyone needs to “sit the f**k down” is the context of which people’s lives occur. Something that all three of these people have in common aside from their unconventional names, contextually speaking, is that they come from families that value education and who have been able to instill a sense of ownership of heritage beyond materialism and the popular culture.

Capitalistically speaking, Condoleeza Rice’s father was assistant dean at The University of Denver and her mother was a music teacher. Barack Obama’s father was a Harvard Graduate and Kenyan politician, and his mother was an anthropologist. Oprah’s father inspite of his lack of formal education, is a councilman.

The road of life is a lot easier to navigate when you don’t always stick out like a sore thumb because you’re named after a TV, after running-shoe or even just because you’re name sounds made-up.

These people are examples of what you can do with ghetto names. They are examples of what our children can accomplish when we give them names that help them and not hinder them.

110 Stymuli Thu, Mar 27, 2008 - 12:23 pm

*Correction to my last paragraph*

These people are NOT examples of what you can do with ghetto names. They are examples of what our children can accomplish when we give them names that help them and not hinder them.

111 BLAMBO Thu, Mar 27, 2008 - 2:42 pm

I read my first post on this board and I called Erykah Badu a bitch. That is something I should have never done and I apologize for that, I got caught up in the heat of the moment when I heard her childs name. I still disagree with the childs name though.

112 Mark Fri, Mar 28, 2008 - 10:16 pm

You know it is really about time this topic came up. We do need to clean up some of the ignorance in our race and it can start with these stupid names. These people are right we have to start to think wisely and not try to be so different. Saying this doesn’t mean that we have to kiss anyones ass but we do have to pay attention. We don’t live in america by ourselves so we do have to blend in. People are going to say that we don’t have to care what the white man says but most of us are going to end up working for the white man. Having said that again we don’t have to kiss anyones ass but just think thouroghly before you name your children please.

113 Mark again Fri, Mar 28, 2008 - 10:20 pm

I forgot something, I didn’t like reading that this was done by our single mothers but after thoroughly reading every post the only people that I am seeing defending this is women. Having said that lets all try to change this.

114 Soul Sistren Sat, Mar 29, 2008 - 10:13 am

I accept people are people and if we are in the public eye then comments will be made on our actions and behaviour.  It’s a shame that so much discussion as gone on about a child’s name.  Weird names for celebrity children have been around for years e.g Zowie Bowie, Pixie Geldof,  In relation to black people we lost our real names a long time ago so does it really matter?  The most I’ve seen black people get afrocentric was when the Malcolm X film came out.  Then within a short period, many of our black children were calling each other N***as and Bitches.  We do it so often, even intelligent hardworking accountants would use it to describe a talented woman.  What needs to change is us!  How can you be so up in arms about ‘Puma’ but let N***a slide?Just for the record, I am black,  I am a single mum, I’m also a grandmum and everyone as regular sounding names.  I grew up on a council estate in london but did’t know it was the ghettoe until all the songs started talking about ghettos.  i used to hear Elvis Presley and be thinking about ‘those’ poor people.  My mum was a divorced mum and I still saw my dad.  My name hasn’t made a difference to my ability to succeed in life, being seen as a n***a bitch has!

115 to the post above!!!! big ups,...amen, amen, am Sat, Mar 29, 2008 - 1:02 pm

bless, nicole.


Blambo—a smart man learns from his own mistakes a wise man learns from the mistakes of others.  Glad you addressed Erykah this time by name…....

116 K-DUB Sat, Mar 29, 2008 - 8:16 pm

To the mother that was going to name her child “Zenith”... I just have to ask< what the hell were you thinking? As people up here have said thank GOD that father of that child saved his/her life. I know that I don’t even know you but you are an idiot. Don’t have any more kids.

117 BLAMBO Sat, Mar 29, 2008 - 11:59 pm

Yeah K-Dub, that TV naming chick did sound stupid ha. The sad thing about it is that she felt proud enough to post that shit for the world to see. HOW GHETTO! Hopefully we are learning and growing from this.

118 Kamrena Sun, Mar 30, 2008 - 3:40 am

Okay, people 1 Puma is a name of a mountain lion. Some mountain lions ARE black and white. If you notice, MRS. Badu is interacial even though her music seems to lean towards the African american race. People she is black. Also, those who call the name ghetto. It is ghetto because PUMA the shoe company took the name for their shoes. If you notice, low and behold. You trace the name back to the lion. Lions in return are strong, hunted but fierce. They are the leading beast after us. The only reason we are on top is the fact we are monkies with guns. So disliking the name “puma” is very stupid, when you in fact are really disrespecting Nature. Mr. Blambo you should look at that point. Mrs. Badu is very in tune with Nature, naming her child Puma was probably a way to show she has not givin that part of herself up. She probably wanted to pass a name to her child that would challenge. One that only a child who has such an in tune mother can carry. Young Puma may be able to carry this name because of the fact it is from a “shoe and lion”, that actually gives her more leverage over other people. So saying you dislike the name is fine, but not looking at it in a “poets vision” is like looking a piece of glass and not remembering it was probably once sand.

Kammy S.

119 BLAMBO Sun, Mar 30, 2008 - 12:19 pm

First, comparing the color of mountain lions and race are mindless. When that child is in school do you think the other children in her class are going to trace the name to the roots as they are makingg fun of the child? This is the part that all who are defending this garbage aren’t able to understand. I dont give a shit about the lion being a leading beast Mrs. badu’s child is a human and should be named like one. If she wanted a name that could challenge she should have changed her own name and not punished her children with these “names of meaning.” To sy that the name pPuma gives anyone more leverage than say the name Michelle is pretty dumb. So far srill the only people that are defending it are those that have done this shit to their own children and those that have these ghetto names. Which one are you Kamrena???

120 BLAMBO Sun, Mar 30, 2008 - 12:21 pm

SORRY ABOUT THE TYPO’S I ENTERED BY ACCIDENT WHILE TRYING TO PROOFREAD.

121 Stymuli Mon, Mar 31, 2008 - 2:30 pm

To Kamrena,

    I think you put waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much faith in mankind’s propensity for benevolence. I also think you invest too much stock in mankind’s capacity for understanding. Human beings; people are creatures of convenience. People don’t generally concern themselves with trying to understand something different from themselves. That’s why we have conflicts called wars.

    The nature of man is that we are self-indulgent, particularly at the expense of others. To that end, all children, who, by the way are governed primarily by their id for the purposes of feeding their ego, will be cruel to other children; especially those who are different. And as children mature, they don’t necessarily grow up.

    Girls, women, females don’t get any kinder towards one another with age. Given what the average girl goes through emotionally in adolescence, I know that all the women in this forum can testify to that. So, that being said, what does being in tune with nature have to do with living in the real world?

    How often is this child going to have to endure the taunts from the intellectuals amongst fourth graders who deduce by way of their superior aptitudes, that their classmate was named after the shoes on their feet? Or after the entertainment appliance in their den (or living room)?

    What about their highschool experience?

    In the push to be different, to be creative and to challenge our children, are we alienating them moreso from the global community? Are we so desperate to be in tune with nature and to re-connect with our roots that we are neglecting our [changing] surroundings and not adapting to the world (not the people) around us?

  “What does it profit a man to gain the world and lose his soul?”

    A child and her name are not raw materials. They are not to be looked at like ore for aluminum, polymers for plastics, or silica (sand) for glass. They are human beings— flesh and blood with mind and spirit; broken or strengthrened through experience. When that child has to face a global society and has to survive in a global commune, no one will care or remember the place from whence she came. No one will care that her mother is Erykah Badu who is “supposedly in tune with nature,” and no one will care that her name may reference a mountain lion and not a sneaker. No one will care for these lofty allusions. (Allusions meaning references— not to be confused with ILLUSIONS.)

    Throughout this forum, from the women defending the names and the right to outrageously name children comes a sense that they’ve forgotten that these aren’t dolls. These aren’t playthings to give fantastic names to. These are children who grow up to become people. And plainly put, you are f**king with people’s lives.

    We all love our children and we all view them as being anything and everything we want them to be and more. We want them to have the symbolic strength, courage and character of majestic mountain lions; we want them to be Zenith, the peak, the apex of what we have to give to the world, we want them to be perfect.

    And they are perfect. We don’t have to— it’s not always necessary for us to make them the living personification of our ideals. They’ll have their own lives to live and what we need to do is make sure that we equip them with the very best of those ideals internally so that they can survive function at capacity in a global society and global community.

122 Caroline T Mon, Mar 31, 2008 - 4:36 pm

I would like to say A-men to Stymuli. These women of color, as am I, need to listen and learn from this. Your children aren’t dolls or toys and these are shameful names that you guys are putting on them.

123 dehder Tue, Apr 01, 2008 - 5:41 am

Don’t live your life worry what the worlds minions think.

So she named her son seven, which is a very powerful number and her daughter Puma which is a very powerful feline, what of it?

I dont know what kind of friends your keeping but mines are full sincere women, not girls WOMNE and relationships get better with age. As my good sister Aamasade says “people know who you are by the company you keep!”

Know this, are children come to us and its our job to raise them reguardless, not to grow them without values just incase the society they live in does not except them and they become an outcast.

Clearly you dont acknowledge that there is a box and the sensible lot think outside it.

Why would she send her daughter or son to a school withhin the system?

There are alternative ways my dear.

You need to ask why people are moving towards what is natural and leaving behind what is destroying us.

Open your eyes and see what is virtuous, I hope, butit seems like you are already a minion.

124 Quick Question Tue, Apr 01, 2008 - 11:42 am

Pitbulls are powerful dogs should I name my next child Pitbull?

125 BLAMBO Tue, Apr 01, 2008 - 1:25 pm

Dehder, If everything in this world was fair and equal what you are saying would be true. But the box we live in is called the planet earth why don’t you come join us. So what 7 is a so-called powerful number it is still just a NUMBER. So what Puma is a powerful feline, it is also a sneaker and on planet earth, where you and I live that is what people are going to look at. I agree, it is our job to raise our children but it is also our job to give them the tools to be successful in life that includes THEIR NAMES. I acknowledge that there is a box but most sinsible people live in it not out of it. There are more normal people then the Erykah Badu’s in the world. Lets be real everyone knows that she is “different.” Why would she send her child to a school within the system you ask. That is because on this planet that is what you do. Come home where you belong, you are human you know…

126 Stymuli Tue, Apr 01, 2008 - 1:26 pm

Dehder,

Pride is a dangerous thing.

All of the lyrical prose and talk of minions, living and thinking “outside boxes,” and alternatives to the system do nothing to deter from the living human experience that people with these super-unconventional names have to endure.

You and some of the other proponents for the obtuse naming of children of color for one reason or another fantasize a reclusive and regressive culture. Why? What is the practical benefit to “moving away from things that are destroying us?” Things like technology that allow us to be able to have this dialogue? Things like advanced education that make it possible for us to explore debate such as this in the upper echelons of philosophy, nationalism and existentialism? Why should we move away from trying to be apart of a global economy and community to whom we contribute billions of dollars to each year in the way of entertainment, athletics, and retail?

And what of these alternatives? What are they? Those among you for living a life “outside the norm” are quick to point out “the other way,” but you never take the time to detail what that other way is.  I"ll take a stab in the dark an pick an alternative to illustrate another point.

Let’s say you name your child Mongoose and then stick them in a parochial school, then what? The kids and their natures are still the same— your child still grows up being humiliated and alienated. Let’s say you name your child Armadillo and home school them. Now they’re not being made fun of, but they are partially and developmentally under-socialized because they have no friends— alienated from society (not the system) and the rest of the progressive human race. Third alternative. You name your child Magnavox and don’t educate them at all.

Who’s thinking outside of the box now? Certainly not the uneducated child with a super-unconventional name and reclusive nature.  No, that child is busy “moving towards the natural.”

If you’re not part of one thing then you’re part of another. For all your speak of minions, I say this: If in fact myself and the others that reflect my perspective are minions, might I say that we are minions of conscious thought and not fantasy. We are minions of preserving our peoples for progeneration and not just one generation.  Whereby you subscribe to a more ‘holistic’ convention of living and naming of children, you also live in a system. A dysfunctional one. A dying one. One where you as a minion championing nature and alternatives sow the seeds of cultural demise.

Your school of thought would have us be an island unto ourselves— starved for resources, socially, economically and wholly embargoed because of your pride. Because of your ego-centric self-serving pride.

Don’t tell us to open our eyes. Stop leering at your own so narcissicitally in the mirror. Don’t tell us to live and think outside the box, start living and thinking outside of yourselves and think about the rest of us—your brothers, your sisters, our children, our future and our legacy.

127 wowzers, what the banana's? Wed, Apr 02, 2008 - 12:14 am

just had to comment, stymuli..deep black, real deep.. nicole

not deep enough though, for me to call the names ghetto.. but i see and hear alot of names all day errday.

blessings blessings!

128 WHERE HAVE I BEEN Wed, Apr 02, 2008 - 9:14 pm

I really don’t know how I’ve been missinng this. This shit about these names has been hot and heavy. Now for my 2 cents, STYMULI, you are the man, you clearly know what you are talking about. BLAMBO, You are funny, half crazy, harsh, passionate, (one was calling you gay for that and that is stupid) and you are right on point. ME, Don’t have anymore kids, do that for our whole race not just yourself. Dehder, take the space shuttle back home with that crazy shit that you are talking. KAMRENA, just stop having too much faith in the system. NICOLE, I like you. Most of you can see where I stand on this HOT toppic. The names are stupid, ghetto, and 100% definately not black or african-american culture. This topic definately needs to be had and not trivialized. Thanks to whoever started it.

129 kevin Mon, Apr 07, 2008 - 3:13 pm

I have a suggestion for all the ignorant parents that choose to give their children, which they have every right to, these dumb ass names. Why don’t you all make the dumb name their middle name? This way they won’t be subjected to all the clowning that they will get. Leave the hood name hidden. How bout it people.

130 This conversation is STILL going on??????????????? Tue, Apr 08, 2008 - 1:00 am

No wonder magazine subscriptions are rising higher than the mercury on a hot, summer day! Get a life people (especially Blambo and Stymuli)!! Erykah, Seven and Puma are NOT thinking about you and your opinions. They (and their gorgeous names) are doing just fine, and will always be OK, trust me on that one:)

*blasts New Amerykah*

131 To the dummy above Tue, Apr 08, 2008 - 9:46 am

Shut the f**k up Shenehneh.

132 BLAMBO Tue, Apr 08, 2008 - 10:24 pm

To the post that is 2 above this one. I am not trying to get Erykah or her children to pay attention to me, I’m trying to get the attention of the baby mamma’s that pop out 4 and 5 kids by 3 or 4 diffenent men and give their children these ghetto ass names. For you to call them sick ass names gorgeous shows me the class that you have. I personally hope that this conversation goes on until these stupid women get the picture.

133 Like I said, Erykah doesn't care what people think Wed, Apr 09, 2008 - 12:12 am

For you to call them “ghetto ass” and “sick ass” names shows me what kind of person YOU are. If
you care so much, why don’t you start a national organization for this “cause?” You’d be a great
president and can spread the word more effectivly
on a national platform. Get a life, dude. Get a life! Better yet, step outside of that box you’re living in. The walls are closing in on you. Poor thing:(

134 BLAMBO Wed, Apr 09, 2008 - 1:33 am

Let me guess, you are a female? Why don’t you chicks get this? These names are damaging these children. You are right a national organization definately NEEDS to be started about this ghetto ass shit. I clearly have a life but if somebody wants to correct whats wrong in our race instead of letting us go further into the toilet we need to get a life. Like it or not this is a real topic that needs to be corrected. Life is a box the ones that are stepping outside of are naming their children Shenehneh, Banguadia, and Viagra. You are right it does tell you what kind of person I am. I am a person that wants to protect my children from the questions that I get about this ghetto ass shit.

135 QueenJenny Wed, Apr 09, 2008 - 4:13 pm

Blambo?

Blambo?

Try using spell-check before submitting your comments.  “Piece to you too.”  I am sure you meant to say “Peace”.  Little things like that in addition to your display of anger and foul language have convinced me that you have not grossed over 9,000 this year (even 1,000 and most companies are just reaching the end of the fiscal year).  I expect an ignorant (well crafted) response from you after this (actually looking forward to it because you are so entertaining.  Sort of like a dancing little monkey).  With the language you use I wouldn’t be surprised if you have one of those “ghetto” names that you seem to despise soooooooo much.  Are you mad at your mother for naming you Boomquishia?  Let go of the anger and embrace your ghetto-ness.  It suits you.

136 BLAMBO Wed, Apr 09, 2008 - 6:08 pm

To Queer Jenny, First, Fuck spell check this is just a comment board I use spell check when for I am getting paid. Next, You must want me, why else would you be checking all my post for misspelled words? Next, you must be one of those money hungry bitches that is why you would be interested in what I make. You are right though I havent grossed over 9,000 dollars, my last paystub now has me grossing over 19,000 and that still dosen’t count my bonuses. So how you like me now. As for having a ghetto name, sorry my parents going to do that shit to our family unlike your mother. Bottom line stop worrying about me and worry about the 5 kids that you have cause you sound just like one of those tricks with kids and at least 3 or 4 baby daddies that must be why you are replying to my post I must have hit home with you. SHUT THE F*CK UP AND GO BABYSIT STUPID.

137 Stymuli Wed, Apr 09, 2008 - 6:59 pm

To “Like I Said, Erykah doesn’t care what people think”

  I wanted to inform you. I do have a life. A wonderful one. The kind of life that “Martin” died for, that “Harriet” risked her life for and that “Fredrick” in spite of being born into slavery became a symbol for.

I am 27 years young and Married to the woman I met when I was 17 in college—; a prestigious 4-year one from which I have since graduated. My wife and I live together alone in a house that we own in the suburbs. A house— not the contemporary sharecropper’s stead or what you call a “condominium.”

Let me be clear.

I have a life. An educated and informed one. A professional and expanding one. I have the life of someone with what you lack; worldly and universal understanding.

Regrettably, you misrepresent your gender. Your responses and commentary demonstrate the incapacity to think and act logically— a trait, that albeit misappropriated and wrongfully attributed to the feminine, you personify in exemplary fashion. (Am I going to fast for you?) You would just as likely play with your child’s life and future for an emotional high as a crack addict would sell their child for a chemical one.

I work in advertising. Companies will pay advertising companies millions of dollars to research and DEVELOP names for their products and their services. They don’t pay us to just make up names. They want the names they pay for to have staying power, impact and CREDIBILITY. They want the product they are selling to be able to sell itself overall— from the product design to the product packaging, all the way down to the naming conventions. They hold focus groups where they pay people off the street for their opinions on what a product should be named.

It’s what they use when they name the [useless] products that they sell in the ghetto at absorbent prices. Conversely, [those] people [in the ghetto]  who use these products don’t put the same type of effort into naming their children whom they hope will work at or for these companies in the future. What tragic irony.

Did you know that in some African countries the parents don’t name the children? A focus-group made up the elders of the village deliberate for two days to DETERMINE a name for the child. The parents have no say in the matter. And this is accepted. But as I can infer you might retort, “This isn’t Africa.” No, it isn’t. I know it isn’t. But I think it’s profound that multi-million, multi-billion dollar companies would exhibit the same practices as those meek and humble villagers “in the wilds” of the dark continent. Maybe sense is common after all— just not in the ghetto.

It is nary of any consequence to me whether or not Erykah Badu and her child care about my opinion. I’m not so starved for the approval of glitterati that I would pretend to know them by first name basis as you do. My concern is philanthropic.

I am my brother’s keeper, and my sister’s keeper and the keeper of their children. I bet if the topic were that a woman was raising her child by branding it with a hot iron in the face you would have a lot to say then. You’re so self-righteous. So self-obsessed. As if you’re opinion is of any impulse?! You don’t even know the flavor of the Kool-Aid.

There is a box. The Spainiards and the Italians thought it was flat— until they discovered there’s a whole world out there.

Why don’t you follow suit? And while you’re out discovering this “whole new world” take your own advice— get a life yourself and while you’re at it, get a clue.

138 OK, I'm tired of this so let's agree to disagree: Wed, Apr 09, 2008 - 10:19 pm

I still don’t see what’s wrong with “Puma” and “Seven.” You do and you’re entitled to your opinion. But you really should approach life with a Lonnie Liston Smith attitude and “expand your mind.” Ordinary is boring, Unique is beautiful.

By the way, I’m a dude.

139 Stop Hating People! Thu, Apr 10, 2008 - 2:32 pm

Does it matter what she names her own flesh and blood?  You guys are criticizing her decisions, but your failed to realize, it’s HER decision!  Would she have made a “better” choice if she had named her daughter…Sarah, Becky, or Apple (which is a ridiculous name also)...but the point is, dont think that something is ‘right’ because it’s something that worked for everyone else!  Being different/eccentric can also work for people! 

And for you people that dont know what PUMA is, it’s a powerful cat, in the family of Cougars!

140 QueenJenny Thu, Apr 10, 2008 - 5:38 pm

Blambo the bumbling Bafoon,
I knew it would get a rise out of you.  Hilarious!  “What else you got?”  Please respond with more! You are almost funny enough to right for TV.  Your commentary is so well crafted!  Are you a grade school graduate?  Very impressive!

“Holla Back” (as you would probably say).

141 mama Thu, Apr 10, 2008 - 5:44 pm

don’t care how she named her kids..don’t care who the father is but definetely not common or the d.o.c but rather a white man…

142 BLAMBO Thu, Apr 10, 2008 - 9:14 pm

To stop hating people, why is it everytime people don’t agree with someones decision it is called hating? I am clearly a Badu fan I just think that the names are dumb. You are right that it is her choice but that doesn’t mean that she has to do that to her kids. Being different is OK but being ignorant is not. Fortunately she can get away with naming these children this way because of her fame but in the hood these “eccentric” names aren’t for everyones children. Once again you are another person going after the meaning of these names. NOBODY CARES ABOUT THESE MESNINGS when they hear these dictionary names. To Queen Jenny, Queen of what!! It is funny enough to write for TV not right for TV. You see everyone makes mistakes, even you. Check you post before you submit them too. Holler back. lol.

143 Dam BLAMBO doesn't stop!!! Thu, Apr 10, 2008 - 11:00 pm

Dude, you’re all up and down in this forum. Give it a break and/or take a chill pill. Face it, not everyone’s gonna see the same way that you do. You’re entitled to your opinion, like everyone else in this post is. But if someone disagrees with you, courteously respect their decision, like I respect yours. Relax homey! Geesh!

144 QueenJenny Fri, Apr 11, 2008 - 12:23 pm

Sweety, let me explain this to you as if you were a 4 year-old.  “Right” was a play on words as in you, Blambo, would have typed “right” and not “write” because you have proven that you cannot spell.  You can’t be that stupid.  Well maybe. 

Oh by the way, would you have the nerve to say all of these comments about Erykah to her face if ever given the opportunity?

145 BLAMBO Fri, Apr 11, 2008 - 2:00 pm

Let’s see, I make a mistake I can admit it you make one you have some bullshit story and try to put it off on me. Admit it you made a mistake, whats the big deal? To that question that you had about Erykah, hell yeah I would say that shit to her face, If you do something that dumb ya’ need to be told about it. What is she going to do beat me up???

146 zinga Sat, Apr 12, 2008 - 9:31 pm

agree with the message up there. puma ‘s father is white!

147 To the post above Sat, Apr 12, 2008 - 10:06 pm

I agree too. Looks like we are about to have a Maury moment.

148 You guys need to stop: Puma's father is the DOC... Sun, Apr 13, 2008 - 8:15 pm

Erykah has stated this many times. Now, let’s get on with real life, lol.

149 To the post above Sun, Apr 13, 2008 - 8:39 pm

Just because someone has stated that a man is the father doesn’t mean that he is. I’m waiting for the DNA results before I believe anything.

150 zinga Sun, Apr 13, 2008 - 9:09 pm

euh I never heard her saying puma was…I heard people saying it but not her…

151 To the post above Sun, Apr 13, 2008 - 9:18 pm

You never geard her say Puma was what?

152 To the psot above Sun, Apr 13, 2008 - 9:19 pm

You never heard her say Puma was what?

153 Well keep on waiting for the results then! Tue, Apr 15, 2008 - 11:38 pm

It really doesn’t mean that much to me, lol.

154 Of course Tue, Apr 15, 2008 - 11:51 pm

Typical woman, it doesn’t really mean that much to you because you can just tell any man that you have sex with that he is the father. It never really means that much to the person that has nothing to lose.

155 Dam, son! Thu, Apr 17, 2008 - 12:12 am

Are you fu$&#xin; Erykah?? What comes out of her vagina shouldn’t be of any issue to you, unless you impregnated her or are banging her. Grow up. Get a life.

156 to the post 2 above, Come on be real dude I would Thu, Apr 17, 2008 - 12:34 am

Awwww, sounds like you need a ** hug **

sounds like your issues are deeply rooted with women, hopefully nothing to do with childhood or home life.( if so ** smile ** thinks will get better/or you’ll become more bitter)  Just because you have encounter dozens of ” birds” doesn’t mean every woman is going to be impregnated and blame the nearest , or richest, or finest guy

Women are focused on things as well, not just sweating some Man or Nigga.

peace and blessings Nicole

157 message got cut off, i wouldn't blame any one Thu, Apr 17, 2008 - 12:35 am

and neither would the Women i associate with find new friends visit new places ...And FAST - Now!!! peace Nicole

158 To the 2 post above this one Thu, Apr 17, 2008 - 1:44 am

The first post sounds like DMX and we know that X is cracked out, and to Nicole, Na, I don’t need a hug but thanks for asking, I just think that when it comes to the United States that it is too much for the woman when it comes to the children. The choice should be 50/50 thats all. That way their can be no lies told by women that the man is the father. That’s all.

159 zinga Wed, Apr 23, 2008 - 8:25 pm

to the messages above
i never heard erykah badu say that the father is the d.o.c..that is the rumor that’s being circulating but the truth is she DOESN"T want to say who the father is…and when i see the color of the child i’m thinking hum yeah….

160 Jiggy Wed, Apr 23, 2008 - 9:20 pm

When alot of people look at that child we all go hmmm. Watch out men, women do this all the time. Color does matters folks.

161 BIG-BEN Thu, Apr 24, 2008 - 12:15 am

NO DISRESPECT BUT THAT BABY AIN’T BY NO BROTHER. LETS GET REAL. WHO’S KID IS THIS? COME ON ERYKAH, TELL THE TRUTH. WE ALL WANT TO KNOW. i STILL DIG YOUR MUSIC THOUGH.

162 piece Thu, Apr 24, 2008 - 9:28 pm

i love erykah.

if they were my children i’d love them and provide them with all the support they need. f**k the mainstream minds that will always criticize whether their names are sarah, keisha, seven or xoliswa.

they’ll grow up with the will and skill to manifest whatever they want in life…

163 not miss jackson ? Fri, Apr 25, 2008 - 9:51 am

hey my girl can name her kids whats she wonts see she has the means to take care of them in all the way that count mom,dad, grandma pop-pop!!!!!!  she has the money Im sure she knows her babies daddies and unless your name is on the other end of the child surport check kiss it.

164 Richard Fri, Apr 25, 2008 - 12:29 pm

Let me first jump on that statement that she has the means to be a father to her children. NO WOMAN has the means to be a father to any child. It takes more than money to father a child. As well no man can be a mother to a child that is why BOTH parents are needed in the childs life. The people that are against these ignorant names are not just talking about Ms. Badu, we are talking about all the ghetto names that these women are trapping these undeserving children with these names. She may know her babies daddies but the men need to know as well.

165 She's already confirmed that DOC is Puma's father. Mon, Apr 28, 2008 - 10:12 pm

zinga: She FINALLY confirmed this in the February issue of Jet.

166 BIG-BEN Mon, Apr 28, 2008 - 10:35 pm

Why is it confirmed? Is it because SHE said he is the father? Did HE say he was the father? There are a lot of men being faked into being a father. SKIN COLOR MATTERS.

167 Richard Mon, Apr 28, 2008 - 11:54 pm

What ever happened to having children by one man anyways? The days of family are over. So sad, so sad.

168 BLAMBO Tue, Apr 29, 2008 - 2:05 am

Thank you Richard, Someone needs to tell these women to stop spitting out these children knowing that they are going to be single mothers. It does take 2 parents to raise the children. Hopefully one day soon our race will find this out.

169 Richard and Blambo: listen to "Me" Tue, Apr 29, 2008 - 9:34 pm

I don’t think she intended to be a single mother, but it’s all in the lyrics…“had two babies different dudes, thought for both my love was true…”

Listen to the lyrics:)

Big Ben: It’s confirmed because rumors were swirling around for years and she finally said out of her mouth that he was the father. If he wasn’t, I’m sure you’d hear it from DOC. In this day and age, it would be in the media some kind of way. But so far, I haven’t heard anything from him. LOL @ “skin color matters” **smh @ that comment**

170 BIG-BEN Tue, Apr 29, 2008 - 9:44 pm

me

That reasoning is why there alot of men walking around thinking that babies that they are TOLD are theirs are dumb enourgh to believe that mess. How can 2 light skinned people have a dark skinned baby? How can 2 people with brown eyes have a blue eyed baby? But as long as men continue not to truly find out if the babies are theirs they will just continue to pay for another mans baby. These women should step up to the plate and be honest with these men, they are playing with lives. This is much more serious than just cheating. Skin color is part of your DNA to all that don’t know that.

171 BLAMBO Tue, Apr 29, 2008 - 10:42 pm

ME, I too believe that she didn’t intend to become a single mother but you have to know who you lay down with and who you intend to get preegnant by. These women have to stop having hese kids in hope of trapping these men into a relationship. When are they going to realize that pushes a man further away from them.

172 hey now!! wait hold up Wed, Apr 30, 2008 - 12:15 pm

grading papers pretending to be sick today!!!

i have answer men: stop f**king raw,, ugk said raw from the gettie up betta choose the right one or pick the kiddies up!!! real talk.. think about it man ... kids and AIDS are real. take some blame to we cant f**k ourselves, and get pregnant any way. oh and skin tone matters—- my mother is CHOCOLATE and my father is mos def CAFE AU LAIT and so are all his kids none dark at all very light and my mom is very dark.  no one question her and there are married still this day ... all 8 kids by the same high yella man.. and now i have a CHOCOLATE child .. and im high yella—go figure black comes in all shades… such a beautiful thing!!!! gotta love it ” big ups to brown babies”!!!!! let me finish grading these papers…................................peace and blessing   Nicole

173 not to mention Wed, Apr 30, 2008 - 12:53 pm

my mom is 5’0 on a good day and all her kids are taller than her 5’8 is the shortest while 6’6 is the tallest… and none of us share her gap toothed smile or her thicker form/shape but hey the child shall have his father’s blood ..at least in our case .....  be a blessing to others, Nicole

174 BIG-BEN Wed, Apr 30, 2008 - 1:47 pm

When I am talking about DNA it takes both of the PARENTS DNA to make a child If say the mother is 5’0 and the father is 5’3 and all the kids are 6’5 and above then their is more than likely a problem and like I said before brown eyed father and a brown eyed mother can ONLY make a brown eyed baby. Check with a Doctor on that I have a sister that is a Doctor that can back up these statements. Gapped teeth is not from DNA. Black people do come in all colors when one parent is light skinned and the other is dark skinned. But when both are dark or light then they have dark or light children.

175 So you're saying that Erykah cheated??? Wed, Apr 30, 2008 - 11:31 pm

Maybe, maybe not. I mean, I don’t know that and I personally don’t care. But how do YOU know it to be true?? All up in the woman’s kitty kat, lol. And you’re 100%  sure that Erykah had two babies to trap men into relationships??

**smh**

176 BIG-BEN Wed, Apr 30, 2008 - 11:47 pm

I am saying that DNA is suposed to be 100% is what they say. I clearly am NOT saying that Erykah Badu cheated. I don’t know that she did or didn’t but looking at that child I am concerned. The child looks like it belongs to a white man. This sin’t just about the Badu situation this is about all men needing the right to know just like a woman.

177 zinga Thu, May 01, 2008 - 7:59 pm

until I heard her saying it straight up (and still )I won’t believe that the father is the d.o.c…it’s not just about colour of skin it’s about at least a little resemblance…puma doesn’t look like erykah or the d.o.c

anyway imagine if she was sayin that she had puma with a white guy people would go crazy!!
I read the article in jet THEY report that she confirmed it but she doesn’t STATE it in the interview…
once again she does nOT want to disclose who the father is..and you gotta be kiddin me if you really think the d.o.c is the father…
anyway I don’t really care who the father is I just can’t believe that she is not being true about it..i feel that’s why she doesn’t want to say it not because of supposedly privacy…(that’s my opinion…)

also about the comments about skin colour and eyes..yes two african american individuals can have a blue eyed baby even if both are brown eyed BUT it is REALLY uncommon… UNLESS BOTH parents are REALLY mixed and probably have more white ancestry than black…cause light skin and blue eyes are recesive genes and need to be in significant amount in the genes to come up…

178 BIG-BEN Thu, May 01, 2008 - 8:18 pm

My statement is that 2 people with brown eyes weather they are black or not can only have a brown eyed child. THIS IS A SCIENTIFIC FACT. Do some research. This thinking is why their are men with brown green, or blue, or hazel eyes not knowing that they are being played like a piano. Any man that is in this situation needs to get a DNA test and stop lying to themselves because they are taking care of someone elses child. This goes with skin color as well. You know some of this is common since I can’t believe how many people don’t have it. Two dark skinned people having a hi-yellow baby that is IMPOSSIBLE. Please do some research before you make these statements.

179 zinga Fri, May 02, 2008 - 7:11 pm

big ben
you need to study science and genetics my statement is CLEAR and is based on science and genetics that I STUDIED…it goes both to people that think that it is very common for brown eyed people to have blue eyed baby (not it isn’t) and you that think it is impossible (yes it is… for the reasons I explained earlier) genetics is more complex than you think.

180 mama Fri, May 02, 2008 - 7:18 pm

I mean it could possibly be common cause common is very light skinned but the d.o.c han han I don’t believe it a sec…
puma’s daddy is more likely to be a whity whity..

181 BIG-BEN Fri, May 02, 2008 - 7:23 pm

Zinga, you can just keep on believing that stuff if you want to but FACTS ARE FACTS. Two brown eyed people can have only one colored eyed child and that is brown. I don’t know where you have been studying at but you need to recheck that or someday you will be sitting home with someone elses child. Genetics is less complex than you try to make it out to be. Like I have stated before I have a sister that is a DR. that can back these statements up. She is not STUDYING these things she has GRADUATED from 2 colleges and assisted in the writing of a book on DNA. So who should I believe her or you.

182 zinga Sat, May 03, 2008 - 5:43 pm

yeah right!!!!!she wrote a book about dna well.. give me the name of it so I can read it and see how she explains that brown eyed people can ONLY have brown eyed babies..
so are you saying the same thing about hair color? cause I know tons of people that have completely different hair color than their parents
and stop that paranoia about somebody else’s baby.. you are bitter man…
anyway we agree on one thing erykah badu probably messed with some white dude.

183 BIG-BEN Sat, May 03, 2008 - 6:05 pm

Don’t be a hater, I said that she ASSISTED in the writing of a book comprehend what you read. That is probably why you are saying that it is possible for 2 brown eyed people to have a blue eyed child because you aren’t comprehending what you read. Hair color doesn’t apply to these rules but eye and skin color does. I am not a bitter man I am a smart man that will not end up in the situation as Badu’s baby’s father. Every time a man wants to make sure he is the father we are always called bitter. We are suposed to just go with the flow and take care of anyones child. That’s not going to happen to me. You know just like I do that there are men walking around taking care of other mens babys all the time. So this is not paranioa. I worked in a hospital for over 3 years and because of patient confidentiality you can’t imagine how many doctors saw the EYE COLOR of a child and had to shut their mouth but would discuss the fact that the man wasn’t the father later. I have facts you have your beliefs so I ask again who should I believe?

184 zinga Sat, May 03, 2008 - 6:38 pm

and why hair color would not apply???
because you decided and your facts don’t hold..you are just saying a bunch of crap and lies cause you bitter!!
PATHETIC!!

185 BIG-BEN Sat, May 03, 2008 - 8:24 pm

You are one of those women that are tricking a guy into fathering a child that is not his and your spot is being busted. Thats why you keep calling me bitter. I get it now. Shame on you a real woman wouldn’t do that type of shit. Who is PATHETIC now

186 Big-Ben Sat, May 03, 2008 - 11:58 pm

you are right there are some men who are ” tricked” (if you want to call it that) into believing that they are father to a child that is not there’s.  But if they know and stay that not being tricked anymore, that’s raising a child.  Whether it is their blood child or not.  And there are just as many pitful as men denying parentage to kids because they don’t want to take / or can’t take care of them.  Who is tricked then? or are you going to place blame Back on women again? I’m not hating but damn Big-Ben I’m just saying.  What role do you think men play in all of this or are ALL women evil? ( but holy when they agree to F@##$$!!!!!! 


Be a blessing to others, Nicole?
oh, and if I misspoke on gap toothed grins being part of dna - i aplogize, i’m not a doctor, but i do have an aspiring doctor- my daughter hopefully i will not wait that long to look up that info 😉

187 BIG-BEN Sun, May 04, 2008 - 12:32 am

Nicole
I am talking about situations where men are tricked. If both parents agree on having a child and the man walks away. HE SHOULD TAKE CARE OF HIS CHILD. But when women are laying down with the intention to trap a man I think that they should take care of that child on their own. I also think if they decide to stay I don’t have a problem with them helping out and taking care of that child but if the break up with that woman they should be released from the responsibility of someone elses child. What if I came to you and said you must take care of my daughter, how would you feel? Yes there are alot of f**ked up men not taking care of their children as well but if it ain’t blood it aint mine. Find the real father. let men have a choice just like a woman has a choice thats all.

188 To zinga Mon, May 05, 2008 - 2:13 am

I guess I caught on to your game. You ARE one of those sorry ass chicks that is trapping a man with a child. Let me guess, you and the guy have brown eyes and you have a green eyed child. Whats his name? Where is he? He needs to be told about that shit that you are doing. I hope he reads this site and finds out what you are doing. Why do you guys do that? You don’t even care that the child doesn’t know his/her real father. YOU ARE SAD!

189 zinga Thu, May 08, 2008 - 10:53 am

oh now you starting again psycho bitch!! tell us about your sad story that embittered you so much…no actually I don’t want to hear about your crap…you need to go check in in a hospital for PSYCHOS like you.

190 BIG-BEN Thu, May 08, 2008 - 3:31 pm

Tell me which man you are faking into thinking that he is the father of your blue eyed child you stupid bitch. Like I said, your spot is busted. Stop telling that man he is the father of your dark skinned baby when you both are hi-yellow. You SAD BITCH. What’s his name? I will break it to him before he finds himself on Maury with your trick ass telling him a secret that you cheateed on him and he ain’t the father of your child.

191 Zinga Fri, May 16, 2008 - 10:17 pm

Bitch I ain’t got no kid!!!!

192 BIG-BEN Fri, May 16, 2008 - 10:52 pm

Wow, that’s f**ked up that you will deny your own child. Step up and tell that man that he really isn’t the father of your 6 year old child. Putting your child on a man that isn’t the father is one thing but denying your own blood is a whole different thing. How low can you go. DNA never lies dumb bitch.

193 ZINGA Tue, May 20, 2008 - 9:05 pm

PSYCHO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

194 BIG-BEN Tue, May 20, 2008 - 9:51 pm

Baby momma… Stop having kids!!!

195 MICHELLE Thu, May 29, 2008 - 1:20 am

I have been at work and have had to defend these ethnic names also. We, as a race need to stop this. Our children are the ones that suffer from this. Not us. I am a school teacher and have to listen to white teachers laugh and complain about the names that our children have. Some of you may think that these names are cute but they are just giving our kids a disadvantage before they have a chance in life. Stop this PLEASE…

196 blackbettyboop Tue, Jul 08, 2008 - 12:17 pm

I love her children’s names.  She is a unique and unconventional lady so why would she give her children conventional names?  Lots of people have made comments that the children suffer through life when their names are unique; well who’s fault is that?  It’s not their fault if society is full of narrow-minded, ignorant adults.

197 Above Tue, Jul 08, 2008 - 3:50 pm

Please stop using the word unique for such stupid names. You can try to cover up the stupidity of what she did with the word unique but the bottom line is that those names are stupid. There are a lot of narrow minded people in the world so in knowing that nobody should set their children up with names like this.

198 jamaica Wed, Jul 09, 2008 - 11:37 am

Only narrow minded people would think of the sneaker.  When I heard she named her child Puma my first thought was the animal….fierce, courageous… a leader.

199 Above Wed, Jul 09, 2008 - 11:46 am

Only stupid people would think the name is fierce. When I heard the name I thought why do we continue to do this to our kids? Why are we so selfish? Why does my childs name have to be all about “Me”? Giving your child a dumb name definately doesn’t mean that you are a leader. it makes you stupid.

200 Stymuli Wed, Jul 09, 2008 - 1:08 pm

Doesn’t the term “narrow-minded” mean “not being able to grasp or see the bigger picture?”

Naming a child includes more than just the subtle novelty of an unconventional name to satisfy any qualifying dim-witted parent’s urge to be creative.

Misnaming a child is as inappropriate as Baptizing, Christening or anointing a baby with used motor oil for the purposes of making a personal statement.

It’s stupid, neglectful, non-sensical, irresponsible, and abusive, and it needs to stop.

201 me Wed, Jul 16, 2008 - 1:04 pm

i really wish people could understand that you do not have to agree with what others feel but you do have to respect them. a funny thing, to me, is that alot of black people are now deciding to name their kids anglo sounding names like chloe, kennedy, jordan, madison, mckenzie and so on. at the same time, white people are beginning experiment more unusual names like arianna, kendall and kendra. this is funny to me because soon the connotation of certain names will change and the once black names will be run of the mill and the once white names will be considered black, and unfortunately alot of people equate black with ghetto. previously, i posted that i would like to name my children something with a meaning and something deeper than “oh this sounds cute”. when i said that i like the name zenith, many of you jumped on me like i commited a crime. i am far from ghetto, i have never lived in the hood. i have a college degree. i am married and i try very hard to be open minded to differences in people. i just happened to look on here today and i was amazed to see that so many people had such strong feelings about this topic. to me, it is way more important to teach your children how to be armed for the harsh world outside of your home. there is a certain liberation in being a person of free thought…not being tainted by society’s ever changing view of everything and feeling free enough to be your own person. understand that people will talk shit about you no matter what! if you are ugly or pretty, tall or short, skinny or fat. i used to be quite concerned with what others thought and i felt trapped in my own skin. i now make my own decisions and tread my own path because in life you can never be anyone else but you. i feel that too many black people are looking to justify why whites treat us as second class citizens. we try to find excuses for their behavior within our own people. they treat us like shit because they are racist! not for any other reason but that! as a group of people who were stripped of everything that we once had, we must now create an idenity for ourselves. we are stuck in the middle of two extremes. we are not africans anymore and we will never be white. we look like our ancestors but he are far away from home. we are our own culture of people, with unique experiences and customs. too mny of us really feel that we have to conform to america’s white ideals but we dont. you see the south americans came here and they still keep their own culture. we are even changing our way of life to fit them…having bilingual everything. jews dont change their last names to be less noticable. they just keep being jews and make everyone respect them. be black and be proud…you will never be anything else!

202 BLAMBO Wed, Jul 16, 2008 - 2:20 pm

Sometimes criticizm is harsh but needed. If we jumped all over you we were just trying to help you and every other black person that is doing this to their children. Without criticizm these names would just continue to take dowm our race. I have said it before I don’t equate black with ghetto I equate ghetto with ghetto. Case and point Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie named one of their twins Knox, thats right Knox. Now that was some ghetto ass shit and they are white. So you see ghetto cames in all races. I understand that you try hard to be opened minded but what you have to understand is the world isn’t open minded and all that has to go into play when we are naming our children. We can’t continue to be selfish and think about ourslves when we are naming them. The name belongs to the child not the parent. We can have our own culture and be named Monica, Veronica, Michelle, Michael, David or Alan. We don’t have stupid names to be different. I’ll never stop saying what Ms. Badu did was ghetto and uncalled for but they are her children and she has the right to name them what she wants. Just realize that they are going to be criticized when doing so. When naming children we need to think about their life as a whole before we give them a name.

203 Stymuli Wed, Jul 16, 2008 - 7:00 pm

To Me,

    Jews do change their name. Just take a look at Hollywood and the media. John Stewart, Louis Black, Sammie Davis Jr.*, Mel Brooks, Gene Wilder, Gene Simmons (from KISS).... The list goes on and on.

204 me Wed, Jul 16, 2008 - 8:29 pm

Yeah those celebrities change there name but I am speaking of regular ass folks who work a nine to five. Where I live there are a whole lot of jews and they all still follow their Old World customs like wearing their yomica (sp?), the women are covered, eat a strict kosher diet, they dontdrive to the synagouge on Saturdays and they do not change their names. They are still Goldsteins, Goldbergs, Levines and countless other names that I cannot pronounce, let alone spell. They have forced society to change for them…all of the markets in the area sell kosher foods, the schools in the neighborhoods are closed for all of their religious holidays and they have monopolized all of the businesses in the area for generations. They do not (for the most part) go out and get rhinoplasty to look less jewish, they do not try to change the thick accent that they have from speaking hebrew. They have decided to make their own culture and who ever doesnt like it cant do shit. Black people need to also stick together and create our own identity that is strong enough to fight off the outside nay-sayers. But no, most of us would rather seperate ourselves from the “commonfolk” once we get some money or status. We hold everyone to such a high regard that we would rather be like them than to establish our own individual shit and take pride in who we are. Like it or not, black people love to be different. We always like to be treadsetters and we love the spotlight. Nowadays, names like Shanique, Laquan, Donte, etc, are part of our culture. They may not be names that you prefer but they are undeniably part of African American culture. I personally don’t like those names either but I recongize the place that they hold. This most likely will be my last comment b/c you guys like to argue not discuss…

205 BLAMBO Wed, Jul 16, 2008 - 9:16 pm

Me, before you run and hide hear me out. I had a discussion with 5 of the supervisors in my office (all white) and we were talking about the names. It started out jokingly but it got serious. I point blank asked them if someone came in for a high position and had one of those names would they hire them or go elsewhere. They ALL said they would try to see what else is out there. I asked them why and basically I got the question of who can take a company serious with Shaquan heading the account. These names hurt I don’t know how to get that too you. In order for us to get ahead we have to fit in somewhat or run your own business but how many people can do that. Having our own culture is good and well, I understand that but we don’t have to be dumb about it. (I AM NOT CALLING YOU DUMB) There are other ways that we can unite other than GHETTO NAMES. I feel alot of what you are saying but the fact is that these names aren’t our culture or we all would have these names. My parents aren’t Daquan or Lashaunda I don’t have those names this crap has started about 20 years or so and we need to move on from it. Kids can be cruel and if Mrs. Badu had put her child Seven in school you can’t tell me that the child wouldn’t have been the joke of the class at some point in school. If you think this “culture” is more important then having a future then go ahead and keep this up but don’t wonder why the kids with those name end up at Burger King

206 me Thu, Jul 17, 2008 - 10:15 am

Blambo- Sorry to tell you but if a black person came in for a high position and their name was William Alexander Smith (or any other “tradional name”) they would keep interviewing! Its not the name, its the skin color! They are almost all racist, if not racist at least prejudice!!!!! Thats what you dont understand…the name is the excuse for their continuing agenda…to keep us at a disadvantage!

207 BLAMBO Thu, Jul 17, 2008 - 11:25 am

me, I have to disagree with you. I have a traditional name. I am black and I work there so it can’t be the skin color that is keeping someone like me out of my office it is clearly the name. You are correct a lot of them are racist or prejudice but we shouldn’t arm them with another reason to be that way. In one of your other post you stated that other races are forcing America to change to fit their cultures and once again you are right but naming our children Viagra, Shenehneh, Tequilla and other idiotic names isn’t going to get us any more respect from America then we already have . It has been proven that we get less respect with these names. Black people are saying it, white people are saying it, what else can we do to get through to the people that are naming their children with no reguard for the childs life? I don’t know what else to do but hopefully this ghetto naming will come to an end. SOON!!!

208 me Thu, Jul 17, 2008 - 12:30 pm

You and many other black people have Stockholm Syndrome…look it up and then write back!

209 BLAMBO Thu, Jul 17, 2008 - 2:38 pm

I see that you will never catch on and that is your choice but as you have stated a lot of people jumped down your throat when you said you wanted to name your child Zenith that SHOULD have shown you something. The majority of know that this needs to stop but some will defend this garbage til the end of time. This is why are race is dead last vs. any other race because we are so pig headed and think no matter what any other person says I am going to do it my way instead of stepping back and LISTENING for once. So just do what you do but to others THIS NEEDS TO STOP…

210 me Thu, Jul 17, 2008 - 6:04 pm

Like I said before, I do not like the typical “ghetto” names that you speak of but I said that there is a differnce in ghetto and unusual. What you don’t see is that there is a difference in disliking a name because you dont like how it sounds or whatever and not liking a name because of the connotation it carries. I personally do not like the names like Shaniquah, Toya, Tasha, Monique, etc. But I can appreciate names that have a meaning or reason behind them. Something deeper than “I saw it in a baby book” or “It will look good on a resume”. LOL. I can’t make you change your mind but I want you to see the distinction between unique and “hood”. But even if your parents do pick an undesirable name that makes people classify you as a certain type of person, that doesn’t give anyone the right to treat you wrong. I could give a damn less about what names we all like. Now I am trying to get you to see that the worst thing that Black people can do is to try to conceal their identity or to make decisions based on what white society thinks. Immitation is a form of flattery but flattery doesn’t get you respect. Self respect and confidence gives others no option but to accept you for who you are.

211 ANJLNDADARK Sat, Jul 19, 2008 - 11:18 pm

SHE KNO DAMN WELL THAT BABY IS COMMON’S AND NOT DOC…. CAN YOU SAY BLOOD TEST!!  COMMON DON’T LET THAT MAN RAISE YOUR CHILD…LOL, SERIOUSLY I LOVES ME SOME BADU

212 Stop with the dumb names Thu, Jul 24, 2008 - 1:13 pm

Hey, did anybody read the story about the judge in New Zealand that took custody of a child because her parents gave her a stupid name? They need to start doing that to the mothers in the hood. lol!!!

213 Stymuli Thu, Jul 24, 2008 - 1:18 pm

Here’s that New Zealand story:

The story is below, but if you want, you can read it here at CNN:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/07/24/odd.names/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

(CNN)—A New Zealand judge has made a 9-year-old girl a ward of the court so that her name can be changed from Talula Does the Hula From Hawaii, the country’s national news agency reported Thursday.

Family Court Judge Rob Murfitt listed a series of unusual names that New Zealand parents had given their children, and said he was concerned that such strange monikers would create hurdles for them as they grew up.

“It makes a fool of the child and sets her up with a social disability and handicap,” the New Zealand Press Association quoted the judge as saying.

Among the names Murfitt cited: twins named Benson and Hedges—after a brand of cigarettes; Violence; and Number 16 Bus Shelter.

Some parents had named children after six-cylinder Ford cars, the news agency reported. iReport.com: Do you have a unique name?

The Registrar General of Births, Deaths and Marriages said in a statement that it had rejected names including Fish and Chips, Yeah Detroit, Stallion, Twisty Poi—a staple food in Polynesian cuisine—and Sex Fruit.

A lawyer for Talula Does the Hula From Hawaii said the girl is so embarrassed by her name that friends know her as “K.”

Last month, a judge in the U.S. state of Illinois allowed a school bus driver to legally change his first name to “In God” and his last name to “We Trust.”

But an appeals court in the state of New Mexico ruled against a man—named Variable—who wanted to change his name to a two-word phrase that contains a four-letter expletive and expresses opposition to censorship. E-mail to a friend | Mixx it | Share

214 sewin Mon, Jul 28, 2008 - 7:17 pm

I know I am coming in on this conversation late. After I had my baby and was thinking about a name for him I have always said I wanted a biblical name something that is not common. My son’s father didn’t want him to have his name and of course he was hoping the baby was not his.  His mother called me in my room at the hospital and asked me what name did I choose “for my son”  I told her Ishmael Jacob and she said she didn’t like that name.  I thought what the f**k?  She was nobody to me or my son she was probably encouraging the father the to treat me the way he did during my pregnancy.  So if Ghetto is what I am so be it.

215 BLAMBO Mon, Jul 28, 2008 - 8:38 pm

There’s a difference between different names and stupid names. The name that you gave your child was on the different level. How ever there are some things that you said that I disagree with. You put the words for my so in parenthesis which makes it look like the child is yours and only yours. The child does have a father! The mentality that the child is only the mothers is destroying our community. Also, the statement that you made about his mother not being nothing to you. She is the child’s grandmother isn’t she? The quote “So if ghetto is what I am then so be it” is yet another selfish quote that mothers in our community have. If you name your child with a ghetto name, not that you did, the child is the one that is stuck with that name not you.

216 ME Wed, Jul 30, 2008 - 10:47 am

we all know that Blambo is the official judge of the “ghettoness” of names…this guy really trips me out!

217 Stymuli Wed, Jul 30, 2008 - 2:20 pm

Sewin,

    Not that it should matter to you, but I can’t see anything wrong with the name “Ishmael Jacob.” Also, while your child’s father’s mother maybe the child’s grandmother, YOU are the child’s mother and it is your responsibility to make the right decisions for the welfare and well-being of your child, which in my opinion you’ve fulfilled by naming your son after epic icons. You’ve given him the single-most important means to be able to stand out from the crowd and to be differentiated for having something “better” just in his name alone; you’ve afforded him unprecedented opportunity to be able to accomplish whatever he desires because of the epic nature and weight that his name carries.

I think that when you examine what makes a name “ghetto,” what you have to consider is not only the phonetic characteristics, but also the “newness” of the name.  “Ghetto” names are made of innovation, so are wire coat hanger and aluminum foil antennas, which are also “ghetto.” They both perform their primary functions: the name identifies a child and the coat-hanger antenna picks up a broadcast signal. Both however, also embarrass those who possess them. “Ishmael Jacob” is not a new or innovative name at all, as a matter of fact, the first part of the name, “Ishmael” was literally God-given to Jacob; that’s how old that name is; that’s the type of heaviness that comes with that name.  Unfortunately, not so much with “Tyquan” and ‘em.

218 BLAMBO Wed, Jul 30, 2008 - 5:10 pm

ME, Someone needs to be the judge of the “ghettoness of names”. If I were the real judge I would do as the Judge in New Zealand did and start taking these hood kids and putting them in the system until these unfit, too young, hoodrat mothers get themselves together. They would also have to attend a child naming class. I feel good that I am tripping you out. That means right or wrong I am getting into peoples head.

219 ME Wed, Jul 30, 2008 - 5:53 pm

no, it just means that you are tripping me out…nothing more and nothing less. get off your high horse. btw, did you look up stockholm syndrome yet?

it is not productive for the government to interfere in our personal lives. they use fear and hatred to seperate the masses and then abuse us. the same way they have used 911 to spy on us and invade our privacy though the patriot acts. whats next after they restrict names of children, maybe limits on how many children a woman can bear, abortions for parents of children with known birth defects, outlawing home schooling…
give em an inch and they take a mile! all while we are still waiting for our 40 acres and a mule!

220 BLAMBO Wed, Jul 30, 2008 - 6:06 pm

A high horse is something I will never get on. I feel the government should control how many children a woman can spit out with so many different men. I agree with your statement give the government an inch and they will take a mile but in this case this is an inch that is definitely needed. Stupid names and multiple baby fathers are out of control and needs to be dealt with in some kind of way and if the government stepped in I would be all for it. Not for population control but because there is no way these mothers can seriously take care of all them damn kids by themselves. BTW, I have been in your head since day one and I know this. Even If I am not getting in your head THIS NEEDS TO BE HEARD.

221 ME Wed, Jul 30, 2008 - 6:20 pm

and who is to decide what is too many fathers or too stupid of a name…I am sure the people will look nothing like you and I! lmao

222 BLAMBO Wed, Jul 30, 2008 - 6:31 pm

Here is a clue, when a person says her child’s name and heads turn and look at her like she is on crack… That’s when you know. When you have 3 or 4 men picking up their children from the same mother like it’s a daycare. Then she has too many damn fathers. Sometimes common since just takes over. But I guess in the hood there is no common since.

223 ME Wed, Jul 30, 2008 - 6:40 pm

lol. your answer was funny to me cuz i dont agree with multiple fathers for your kids. i think it is harmful to your family structure and it gets really sticky when you grow up. but i do want a real answer on how to legislate standards on the # of kids and what names are appropriate to use…

224 BLAMBO Wed, Jul 30, 2008 - 7:48 pm

A judge took a kid in New Zealand because of the parents giving that child a stupid name. In China you can now have only one child or you will be arrested so there are standards there. The USA needs to get on board with those things. One thing I will say is when the parents are single and too young they should have to attend parenting classes to better themselves on raising children. Think about it, a doctor has to go to college to see your child twice a year while these women don’t have to do anything to have the child for the next 18 years. Ain’t that something???

225 Stymuli Thu, Jul 31, 2008 - 7:18 pm

Not that I fully agree with government legislation on procreation and such, but Blambo makes a poignant point.

226 BLAMBO Thu, Jul 31, 2008 - 9:06 pm

I dont agree with the government getting in our personal lives either but in this case something has to be done.

227 Blu Sun, Aug 03, 2008 - 12:34 am

I just had my third child I am going to name her 24 anybody got a problem with that? lol! That name is f**kled up yo.

228 AllHavok Sun, Aug 17, 2008 - 2:46 am

GEEEEEZ!!! DO SOME RESEARCH BEFORE YOU CALL SOMEONE ELSE IGNORANT!! I don’t know if these explainations are the correct reasons Ms. Badu named her kids the way she did, but check this out.

In the study of numerology 7 means thought or consciousness. That may define the relationship between her and Andre.

In the 1977 a raggae musical group was formed. Of this group was a wonderful singer named Sandra “PUMA” Jones. Black Uhuru was the first raggae group to win a grammy.

Like i said, I’m not sure if these are actually the origins of the names, it just makes sense to me. if anything i gave you guys some things to go read about. Peace.

229 Above Sun, Aug 17, 2008 - 11:14 am

Yeah, you gave us something to read but the names are still dumb. I am doing research and the first thing that comes to peoples minds is 7 comes after 6 and before 8. Puma was one the top brand named sneakers along with Nike and Adidas. So you see you did your research and came up with your answers and I did my research and came up with the answers that will come to peoples minds when they hear those names. Sometimes the meaning of a so-called name doesn’t make it a name to punish a child with.

230 realtalksouth Wed, Sep 10, 2008 - 8:18 pm

here we go, more haters!!!!!!!! wheeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!

231 K-Woo Sat, Sep 13, 2008 - 11:14 pm

I have never heard a word abused as much as the word haters. Hey dummies, if you do something stupid and someone tells your ass about it, it’s not hating it’s trying to help your dumb ass. Learn from this…

232 Ras Mike Tue, Oct 07, 2008 - 2:57 pm

Blambo you are a fool, You dis credit your point when you call a black woman a BITCH! It’s not ok to name a kid puma but it’s ok to call her as bitch? Also ,I reckon the child will be well taken care of and wont struggle with her name.She’s rich ,you BITCH!

233 Blambo Tue, Oct 07, 2008 - 3:27 pm

Ras Mike, First of all you f**king idiot if your dumb ass could read I later apologized for calling her that but with your 4th grade education you can’t comprehend too well. Anyone discredits themselves when they call any woman a bitch not just a black woman. So next time before your dumb ass makes a comment read everything before you open your punk ass mouth BITCH.

234 yoda Tue, Nov 18, 2008 - 11:59 pm

who ever the dad is…pumita must look like him

235 just wondering Sun, Nov 23, 2008 - 10:48 pm

im just wondering how old these ppl are calling eachother names?

i just turned 20, and some of this sounds like im back in high school..
ANYHOO.. this “DEBATE” has gone on for almost a year.. ERYKAH has released 2 cd’s for christ sake!
i also am wondering what erykah’s opinion would be about this whole mockery of an argument.
at the end of the day a name is a name, and although stereotypes hinder white ppl, AND black ppl, (sadly), from even giving the person a chance at anything, it is not the parents fault what other people think of their childs name.. and although us needing to “grasp reality” and live in the “real world” , and accepting the fact that people are going sometimes misjudge us because of our name being a “black” name, is a valid argument.. its exactly that argument that keeps us in our place on the totem pole and prevents us from being free..
i kno a PLETHORA of people with “ghetto” names who are doing extremely well… you have to consider each case individually i say.. some parents are ignorant..others arent

236 just wondering Sun, Nov 23, 2008 - 10:54 pm

ohh and the fact that the first thing that comes to peoples minds are shoes or tvs or numbers or whatever the hell else comes to mind just goes to show how narrow minded, close minded, and ignorant some people are.. and of course your mind would be triggered to pick up something at the sound of any word… people need to read more and maybe those simple common things wont be the only things that come to mind..

237 Above Sun, Nov 23, 2008 - 11:01 pm

No disrespect but you have just turned 20 so you really don’t know anything about this arguement the younger generation can’t, right now, understand how these ghetto names are hurting black children that is why they continue to do this to their children. Thinking a name is a name is why this is happening. Years later you will start to understan as I have.

238 One more thing Sun, Nov 23, 2008 - 11:08 pm

You are right, people are narrow-minded so people should think about that when they name their children. You saying people should read more isn’t the right thing to say. Nobody should have to read up on your chids name, the name should be something that they are identified by no one should have to study your childs name.

239 just wondering Fri, Dec 05, 2008 - 1:36 am

with all do respect, me being 20 has nothing to do with how i feel about this argument… granted you are probably decades older than i am, or even a couple years, but that does not make your argument any more valid than mine… im not ignorant on this subject..
these “ghetto” names were prevelent way before i was born, i know adults who have years over me with untraditional names… i never said these names werent hurting black children.. all im sayin is we shouldnt be limited to naming our children or have a guidline or a standard or anything of that nature to go by to name our children based on other peoples close minded opinion of names.. and also im not saying people should read more for the sole purpose of understanding kids names, im saying people should read more period…
now granted, naming your child a horrific name that in todays society wouldnt get you anywhere isnt the smartest thing to do… but why is it always black people who have to change their ways and how they want to name their children. white people asians and everybody else name their children what they damn well please and dont get any greif or negative connotations to go along with it..

240 Above Fri, Dec 05, 2008 - 2:12 am

With all DUE respect maybe not YOU being 20 has nothing to do with how you feel about these names but it is your age group that is continuing this mess. I agree with you that people, in general, should read more but I stand by my statement that NOBODY should have to read up on the reason you named your child any name. Yes, these ghetto names were around before you were born but when does it end????? Once again I agree that there shouldn’t be any guide lines about naming our children but sometimes guide lines are what are needed when people are too stupid to do the right thing. Your question “Why is it always black people that have to change their ways” is a good one but on the subject of childrens names the answer is that they are really putting a dent in their own childrens lives and are either too ignorant or too selfish to realize this. I have to say that every race has given their children stupid names but it is our race that thinks these names are our culture, the right thing to do, and its pathetic. Other races do not do this the way our race does.

241 ME Fri, Dec 05, 2008 - 1:02 pm

Just Wondering,
It is really pointless to even try to get your point through on this site. Certain people like Blambo, Above, etc… believe that they are ALWAYS 100% RIGHT! People like that have heads hard as bricks and mouths that run like water…

242 Blambo Fri, Dec 05, 2008 - 1:08 pm

It’s also hard too stop stupid people from naming their children ZENITH or what ever idiotic name they are selfishly damaging their children with. As I have said to ME before thank god your children had a father with good sense or your child would be the laughing stock of his/her class…

243 Not Important Sun, Dec 07, 2008 - 6:49 pm

For what Its worth my son goes to the same school with Erykah’s son Seven and my sister is his teacher.I don’t know Erykah personally but I tell you she is doin a wonderful job raising him.He is very polite, humble, and bright. I don’t care if she is a single parent and she has ten babydaddy’s I wish half of the kids in the hood with married parents or single parents had kids that were as smart and wonderful as hers.She spends as much time as she can up at the school participating and so do thier dads.So say what you want.Good job Erykah .

244 Not Important Sun, Dec 07, 2008 - 6:51 pm

And the kids do not make fun of his name he has such a great personality, they could care less what his name is.

245 Important Sun, Dec 07, 2008 - 9:00 pm

The names are stupid. Nobody is speaking on how she parents her children we are speaking on thier names. If you think for 1 minute that kids aren’t making fun of those names with all the comments by grown ups on this site alone that should tell you something. I hope she does parent her children as best she can but everyone knows that 2 parents are USUALLY better than 1. OF course there are houses with 2 parents that do a poor job of caring for thier children but most of the children that end up failing in life and in jail come from homes without a father.

246 pumah Thu, Dec 11, 2008 - 11:05 am

well yall ignorant bitches,my name is PUMA and i dont think my name is ghetto at all.im 30 years old and my whole life i had to deal with the laughter,jokes,and name calling.shit like that made me a beast at everything i do,haters are haters.it would have been better if she named her amy,becky,katie,or chrissie,GROW THE F*CK UP.and dont worry about who her baby daddy is,she can f**k who ever she wants,thats my bitch.when i found out that her daughters name was PUMA,i felt HONOURED,and PROUD that someone else shares this beautiful name.she is a beautiful baby,her name fits her.if you dont like what i said, hit me on myspace or e-mail me at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) love cussin bitches out that dont know shit about nigga’s and what we believe.praise allah,learn you language and background.OBAMA BITCHES

247 Blambo is Back Mon, Dec 15, 2008 - 2:28 am

pumah, You have proven my point, you HAVE gone through the laughter and jokes about your name and I am personally sorry about that but black people naming thier children these names have to expect what you have gone through. ME, take notes, so if you unfortunately have another child and try to do this to them remember what pumah has gone through. pumah has gone through this for 30 years and if you would have named your child ZENITH how long do you think she/he would have had to face this shit? Thanks pumah for proving my point… ME wake the hell up.

248 ME Mon, Dec 15, 2008 - 11:00 am

Blambo,
You still have not told us what your name is…

I honestly could care less what you think. It is quite funny to me that you cannot understand that people do not have to agree with you, no matter how much you talk or how loud and arrogant you are…

249 Blambo Mon, Dec 15, 2008 - 4:38 pm

I will not tell you my name because I don’t give out personal information on a message board but I will say that it is common and a lot of guys have it. This sin’t about agreeing with me, this is about doing the right thing for your children. This is about thinking before you ruin your childs life. This is about not being selfish and giving your child a dumb name because you want to be different. That is what this is about.

250 Orange Moon Sat, Jan 10, 2009 - 12:54 am

I was reading the comments posted to this blog and the only thing I could do was be saddened at the fact that an African American male would speak so unkindly to other African American women….. The funny thing about your comments Blambo is that you honestly believe that a persons name gives them a disadvantage in life but you dont see that pessimistic,cretinous, self-righteous “brothers” such as yourself are the REAL downfalls of our African American children futures….. You MIGHT make as much money as you claim you do but you should honestly invest it in a few books….. because if you spent as much time finding spirituality and enlightenment as you did misjudging people then you would be able to reach one of those children with ethnic names and teach them to overcome lifes adversity and stigmas they may encounter from people with your same line of thought…..  Oh Yeah and BTW Puma and Seven’s mother is very blessed financially so they don’t have to worry about job hunts, and name bias…. their futures are pretty much secure…... Bless

251 Blambo Sat, Jan 10, 2009 - 6:43 pm

Why should I invest in a few books because women like Badu are giving their children screwed up names? Maybe it is these women that need to invest in a book of baby names. No one should have to read up on what anyone elses damn baby name means. This isn’t about finding spiritual and enlightenment, this is about doing what is best for the child not what some ghetto ass mother thinks is cute. You call it misjudging people I call it judging them and until reality sets in and these selfish parents, mostly single mothers, get this then our race is going to continue to be the joke of the whole planet. Oh yeah, BTW if you read ALL of my post before you JUDGED me you would have know that I repeatedly said this name thing doesn’t apply to Badu because she has the money to take care of them. This is addressed to the parents from the hood that children already have a strike against them because, in America< when you are black thats a strike and when you are given a stupid name by your parents that is strike 2. What’s next… Strike 3

252 Leslie Tue, Feb 03, 2009 - 2:08 pm

Everyone’s concerned about what she’s naming the kids the problem is all these kids she’s having with different people, and having unprotected sex. I think she’s a whore and somebody should send her some condoms.

253 ladysingstheblues77 Wed, Feb 04, 2009 - 2:29 pm

What saddens me is not the difference of opinions, but the way we talk to each other to get that opinion across. It’s like the Bible…you can take one verse in the Bible & have 100 people read it, but you will always come up with 100 different beliefs on what it means (with some having similarities & some differences). Who is right? My question to you BLAMBO, with all sincerity, you started out your view calling the female in question a B#@%#!,  is that not in itself GHETTO. I’m not going to knock you for your opinion..whether I disagree or not, but I do hold you accountable, because as a man you were put in a position by GOD to lead and be the HEAD of your Household, & tearing down our women is not what will build them up. Nobody on this page is stupid, dumb, or ignorant. People of other races don’t believe that we can carry on conversations with out tearing each other down as it is. All I’m saying is a hostile approach isn’t always the better.

254 ladysingstheblues77 Wed, Feb 04, 2009 - 2:40 pm

Leslie: When men approach you do you think that 90% of them are going to be honest about their intentions?  Face it you have the good and the bad where ever you go, but I find it hard to believe that any woman in their right mine sets out to have 2 & more children with different daddies. I’m with you on the safe sex thing, but there are too many reasons for why a person is dealt the cards they are to judge them. For instance I didn’t know that after my first born that I would get raped and become pregnant from it…& yes I know I’m that one in a thousand case..All I’m saying is you can’t judge until you’ve been in their shoes. NOT to mention just because Erkah Badu is rich , doesn’t mean she doesn’t have problems like everyone else. We all have the power to choose the path we walk…only God can judge me. You have a right to your opinion & I respect that…this is just mine.

255 ladyingstheblues77 Wed, Feb 04, 2009 - 3:00 pm

BLAMBO:
When dealing with right & wrong, by who’s standards are we defining this on?

My oldest is 11 & his name is Enrae’, whether you think it’s ghetto or not he’s never had a problem with it, & he says he loves his name. He’s An Honor Roll Student & at the top of his class, & I have been a single parent all of his life until 5 months ago. His father makes no effort to reach out to him, with no hinderance on my part. So I raised him the best I could on my own.
IN MY OPINION: It’s not the name that makes a MAN, it’s a MAN that defines his name as he gets older.

256 Blambo Fri, Feb 06, 2009 - 1:05 am

ladysingstheblues77, The standards that we are defining this on are the worlds standards. That is where we live and right or wrong some of these names are hurting black children. Hopefully your son will NEVER have a problem with his name but I do have to ask.. What child is going to tell their mother that he doesn’t like his name? Not many. I am glad that he is an honor roll student and hope he has continued success. Your child’s name is more different than ignorant as some of thess mothers name their children. If you aren’t hindering the father I think it is sad that his father makes no effort to be with him but a lot of these single mothers like to use the child as a crutch in a mans life and that is a portion of the problem with single fathers having a relationship with their child. I agree with you that it is the man that defines his name but the world doesn’t see it that way and kids with these ghetto names will pay the price because of their mothers ignorance. The sad thing is that these women that are naming their children after cars, numbers, planets, and everything else they can think of will never even try to understand what they are doing to their children because they are too selfish to think about their childrens future. This mess ain’t cute!

257 ladysingstheblues77 Fri, Feb 06, 2009 - 8:09 pm

Proverbs 22:6 says train a child in the way he should go, & when he is old he will not turn from it. Since the day that my kids could look me in my eyes for an entire conversation, there are key things that I drill in there minds. Mama loves you, & because I love you when you do wrong you will get punished,because life is not always easy…there are consequences to everything you do. Nobody will have your back like me, & even though I’m older I don’t know everything.  There is NOTHING that you can’t talk to me about. No, I’m not your buddy & I’m not your friend…but it is my job & resposibility as your parent to prepare you for the world.  You see BLAMBO, I TALK to my children everyday, I make time out of my busy schedule to let them know that how their day went is just as important as how mine went. When their wrong I tell them I love you, but I’m going to tag that butt when you do wrong. Nobody knows my kids like me,because I stay on it. You want to know the results. I have an 11 & an 8 year old that will walk up to me and say…“Mom, can I talk to you for a second?” & no matter what I’m doing at the time… I stop & give them my full attention. So I don’t just tell them, I prove it to them with my actions, that I am someone that they can rely on…& they know with out a shadow of a doubt that if they are being wronged, I have their back. If they are wrong I WON’T uphold them in thier wrong doing, & when they need advice or are bothered by something theirs nothing I wouldn’t do to help them out. Anybody teasing my child for any reason don’t get pass me because trust those 2 lil boys (LOL) will tell me. I have a strong belief that the next generation will make up there own stereotypes, because thats just in peoples nature. It don’t matter what your name is theirs smebody out thier inventive enough to think of something messed up to say. My first name is as plain as you can get, but some smart lil boy always managed to poke fun (but lil did they know I had 8 brothers,2 sisters & a host of cousins so the last laugh was always mine…LOL) I geuss my point is I can understand & agree to a certain point that some people take it to far. In fact I know this one lady who did it on purpose because she hated the kids father…she named them something so horrible their would be no doubt that she had malicious intent. In my opinion if we as a people spent more time encouraging each other, & lifting each other up, whether our nieghbors are 1 or 2 parent homes, it will rub off in some shape or form. You can catch more fly’s with honey than vinegar. We should save our hostility for those who truly deserve it. As a black woman I refuse to let anybody label me…It’s not what your called, but what you answer to.  There will always be the good & the bad people though…thats won’t change until the good Lord deems it so. My only problem wasn’t what you was saying it was how. It just strikes a nerve when we can’t talk with out cutting each other down, because I am my brothers keeper & whether I see your face or Ms. Badu’s face in this life time your just as important as my own blood. I enjoyed or conversation..Peace , Love, & Jah Bless

258 Blambo Fri, Feb 06, 2009 - 10:21 pm

We need more women like you Lady. We truly do…

259 Wise nUbian Thu, Apr 09, 2009 - 9:18 pm

All you hateful ass niggas on here need to go f**k your selfs you bitch ass hoes! she have the money she can call her children what ever the f**k she wants to you dumb mother f**kers!!!!!

260 Chuck Fri, May 08, 2009 - 2:17 am

Why do you call yourself Wise?? You should call yourself dumb ass nubian. Just because she has money doesn’t mean she should ruin her children’s lives. It amazes me how you ghetto ass n***rs will not try to better yourselves only become more ghettoized. And you wonder why you mother f**kers cant progress. All you have to do is read the post above this one and you’ll get the answer..

261 Missbehavin711 Sun, May 17, 2009 - 12:06 am

First of all i have read a few of these stupid comments and i will say it again Stupid, So what she named her baby Puma or Seven and what, You have to always judge someone by what they do and then the Media is always making it more noticeable . Leave her and hers alone. You ones that are negative quit hating on her cause she is successful you go on and on but her cypher will keep moving like a rolling stone , you just dont understand Miss Badu nor her culture or ethinicity she is human just like you have sinned and falled short of the glory but if people dont learn from mistakes in their past whats the damn purpose of making mistakes, Count this as a blessing.

262 Learn Something Sun, May 17, 2009 - 5:11 pm

Count what a blessing?!?! The only thing that is stupid is the name she gives her children. Black people need to stop with the glorifying of the ghetto with these names and calling them different. They are stupid not different. The blessing is black people that are standing up against the mess. Of course anyone that disagree with what someone does is, as you call it, “hating”. But sorry, that isn’t the case. What she did and continues to do from the dumb children’s names to the having babies by multiple men will be judged and what people like you don’t understand is because she is in the spotlight, what she does will effect how people judge YOU. So you keep defending her and calling it “culture” and that is what the world will think of you. It’s not right but it;s the truth.

263 Ms Moore aka Controversia Sun, Jun 28, 2009 - 1:06 pm

As before slavery and into our new day- we hold ourselves back once again. Still in bondage chancing tat white guy’s dreams, ways, words, thoughts and schemes. Holding yourself back from who you are and who you choose to be. Why even they are smarter then we- fact: they wear our hair styles, they sing our songs, they dress in our threads, they tan their prideful milky skin and even changed their “names”. Yet we still live believing we should be like them to get ahead, playing their games.

264 1 UP Sun, Jun 28, 2009 - 9:22 pm

What???

265 Blambo Mon, Jun 29, 2009 - 8:10 pm

Nobody is saying we are trying to be like them but you don’t name your child Shakwaykway, which by the way is an actual child’s name, just because you want to be different from the white man.

266 EBONEE LEE Mon, Jul 13, 2009 - 2:29 am

WHY ARE PPL SO CONCERNED WITH WHAT SHE NAMED HER KIDS??? TO THE IDIOT WHO SAID THAT SHES RUINING HER CHILDS CHANCES IN LIFE…SHES F*CKIN RICH HER DAUGHTER HAS CHANCES ALREADY!! DUHHHH AND WHATS SO GHETTO ABOUT PUMA OR SEVEN U ACT LIKE HER NAME IS SHAQUITA. I SUPPOSE IF SHE BENT TO THE AVERAGE ASS STANDARDS TO WEAK MINDED PPL SHE WOULD HAVE NAMES HER SOME WEAK SHIT LIKE JESSICA… BORRING!!!

267 EBONEE LEE Mon, Jul 13, 2009 - 2:34 am

ME… YOU TELL UM LOL

268 DONT WORRY Mon, Jul 13, 2009 - 2:36 am

OH FORGOT TO MENTION THERES NO MYSTERY TO NEITHER ONE OF THE FATHERS OF HER CHILDREN…SHE KNOWS, WHY IS THAT EVEN WRITTEN IN THERE?

269 Stephanie Sat, Sep 19, 2009 - 12:23 am

Blambo -

You’re a f**king coon!  All cultures have a touch of culture in the names they choose for their children but once again, blacks (or whatever you choose to call yourself), or those who have no identity or don’t know who they are, fear the acceptance of who you are and knock those who freely put the culture back into their name.  YOUR OLD, PITIFUL, LOST ASS WOULD RATHER BE NAMED JOHN OR BILLY OR SOME BULLSHIT YOUR MASTER PASSED DOWN TO YOUR COTTON-PICKING ASS.  GO FOR IT BUDDY!  HE’LL HIRE YOUR PUNK ASS FOR IT…NOW GET TO PUSHING THAT BROOM.  DUMB NIGGA!

270 Blambo Sun, Nov 08, 2009 - 10:05 pm

To Stephanie,
First off the only dumb nigga around here is you just because your ghetto ass named your daughter Shakwaykway, and people laugh at your 12 kid having ass don’t take that shit out on me. Only a dumb bitch like yourself would call these ghetto ass names culture because that is all people like you have to look forward too. Get off the couch, stop waiting for your welfare check, and do something with your life. These names are damaging and you stupid ass single mothers keep insisting that it is culture. When will you learn that you idiots are the joke of our race. Stop trying to be different and act like your 6 baby daddy having ass lives in America. Black women are laughed at on the regular and it is because of women like you that support stupidity. Now pat your weave to that bitch.

271 RevolutionaryQueen Tue, Feb 02, 2010 - 5:52 pm

I must say, this conversation has been going on for a while, I’ve read the comments on here from top to bottom and I can see both sides of the conversation. I must admit, when it came time to name my son, I had a dilemma. My grandmother has given all the grandchildren in our family muslim names except for myself and one cousin, so our names stick out in a different way. I could remember being pick on for years with people telling me I had a slave name or an old woman’s name. Even today when I tell someone my name, they think that I’m making a joke and I have the most white bread name ever. On the other hand, my dad’s family all have catholic names like Mary, jackie, Martin and things of that nature so what to do? I just went with a name that I thought was simple and to the point and if he wanted a nickname, then he could go right ahead. His dad wanted me to name him kire which is his name spelled backwards(yes, his dad wanted a “hood” name, not me) I was not with the Maleek or anything like that, so I named him Cameron Alexander and believe it or not, people still have something to say about his name. “Why did you give him such a plain name”, “thats a white boy’s name” and etc. I gave my son a name I felt suited him, so this debate can go both ways. Let a person be judge the content of his character and not by superficial things.

272 Eyrkah Badu Lover Sun, Mar 28, 2010 - 10:06 pm

I love her she is the best no one cares what she named her child

273 Budda Thu, Apr 01, 2010 - 7:25 am

BLAMBO, IT’S PEOPLE LIKE YOU THAT ARE HURTING OUR CHILDREN, WITH YOUR JUDGEMENTALISM AND NON-ACCEPTANCE OF FREEDOM. GIVING AN OPINION IS DIFFERENT FROM JUDGEMENT. WHO ARE YOU TO JUDGE, AND WHO MADE YOUR WORD GOSPEL? YOU’VE PUT MORE EFFORT INTO JUDGING HER THAT YOU FAILED TO PUT MORE EFFORT INTO SEEING HOW GHETTO, IGNORANT AND SELF=CENTERED YOU SEEM TO BE…..NOW, THAT’S JUST MY OPINION!

274 Nygga_Snypa Fri, Apr 02, 2010 - 1:28 am

I, like so many other Americans are getting so burnt out and tired of this ghetto nyggher culture. Your very existence, in its current form, has felt like hate speech to us for a long time and the same goes for all of you damn fhaggots pushing your fake lisp having, gay speak and man on man sex acts on us. This stupid nyggher biatch takes off her panties and bra to expose her nasty black over cooked burnt roast beef pussie lips in front of little kids. But that is ok in this society because she is a phucking minority nyggher. One day, one of these parents will not care and will stop a nyggher like this dead in her tracks. This is getting ugly.

275 Isis Sun, Jul 04, 2010 - 4:50 pm

Don’t be ignorant you fools!!! I’d rather have a “puma” president of my company then some dumb bitch named Jessica! It’s not like she named her child Mercedes or Hennesey!! Although if she wants to next time more power to her. Puma is a strong name that will set her apart from every oter Tom, Dick, and Mary.
This is not 1950 America, we have a biracial president and we have the right to name OUR children whatever we want to!!
God people are so fing ignornt and uneducated and close minded! Step out of your Wonder Bread boxes people there’s a whole world out here who doesn’t give a f*ck what you think or say! Who would consider the advice of some moron who’s named their child Jessica, or any other name that they’d have to share with the rest of you idiots!

276 aka abz Sun, Aug 22, 2010 - 1:21 pm

what the fuvk this bitch who ever wrote that shit get to the f**king story already not even talking about shit trashy ass hoe the person don’t even know who the f**king baby daddy is he did not even say it

277 Emyko Thu, Sep 09, 2010 - 2:09 pm

i dont see the point in anybody “debating” about our childrens names . yes, some people like “unconventional” names like “puma”, “apple”, “cookie”. [apple and cookie are not african american babies either. (i have a friend named seven,i think he is a fine functional u.s citizen.) ] all children go through hard times growing up.to be honest i dont like the “normal” or plain “american” names like “david,“jonathon”,“clark” or anything of that sort. but on the other hand im not going to name my child grapefruit or anything of THAT sort. alot of names have different meanings.did you know arianna means silver?i dont think youd be oh ! my ! gosh! becky look at her name! it means ssssilveeer!no.okay im just going to say my point.theres no point in arguing because people will name their children whatever they want regardless of strikes,growing up,being normal or standing out.people will continue naming their children stacy,and stephanie,others will still name theirs dat,or lightbulb or even cocoa .so who cares because you cant change the world.you cant change people.so just live your lives and stop worrying about other people.because most arent worrying about you.

278 IDGAF! Thu, Sep 09, 2010 - 2:20 pm

i hate racist people especially because im a mutt so f**k “nygga_snypa”.sometimes the way were raised isnt our f**king fault.any ways who gives a f**k. the white man is the devil have you watched the illuminati movies? he started all this shit. but were all going to die and the world is f**ked because obama became president. so who cares.you know what?just because of this topic im going to name my childred bass,treble,and subwoofer.or maybe flap jack, or hell.even scooter.hahaa!f**k the world && f**k the system!im living my life, f**k what yall goin through.

279 yes. Thu, Sep 09, 2010 - 2:21 pm

I think i have to agree with Emyko.(nice name btw.)

280 nicolette Fri, Oct 01, 2010 - 5:55 pm

She named her Puma after the mountian lion because it is one of the fastest but has no roar. This means humility. Its not named after the shoe. Once again stop hating and start apprciating such creative individualistic minds.

281 tracee randolph Tue, Oct 19, 2010 - 12:35 pm

blambo I agree with you 100%. My youngest daughter just had a baby girl and named her Madison and every time she take her to the clinic or anywhere she has to business, people from other races do always have something to say about her name like “that’s nice at least I can pronounce it !!!” trying to make light of the situation but in my heart I know what they mean and she even said that she chose that name so when she gets older and go for job interviews, they won’t know what to expect !!!!

282 Chicago Fri, Feb 04, 2011 - 11:54 am

The University of Chicago’s Marianne Bertrand and MIT’s Sendhil Mullainathan, however, appeared to find that a black-sounding name can be an impediment, in another recent NBER paper entitled “Are Emily and Greg More Employable Than Lakisha and Jamal?”

The authors took the content of 500 real resumes off online job boards and then evaluated them, as objectively as possible, for quality, using such factors as education and experience. Then they replaced the names with made-up names picked to “sound white” or “sound black” and responded to 1,300 job ads in The Boston Globe and Chicago Tribune last year.

Previous studies have examined how employers responded to similarly qualified applicants they meet in person, but this experiment attempted to isolate the response to the name itself.

White names got about one callback per 10 resumes; black names got one per 15. Carries and Kristens had call-back rates of more than 13 percent, but Aisha, Keisha and Tamika got 2.2 percent, 3.8 percent and 5.4 percent, respectively. And having a higher quality resume, featuring more skills and experience, made a white-sounding name 30 percent more likely to elicit a callback, but only 9 percent more likely for black-sounding names.

Even employers who specified “equal opportunity employer” showed bias, leading Mullainathan to suggest companies serious about diversity must take steps to confront even unconscious biases - for instance, by not looking at names when first evaluating a resume.

283 Blambo Sat, Feb 05, 2011 - 1:02 am

To Nicolette, 
In NO way am I hating, Puma is just a stupid name. Badu wasn’t being creative this was downright stupid and we as black people need to stop being so “creative” at our children’s expense.

To Budda,
I made my word gospel because it’s people like you that are too stupid to realize what your ghetto ass is doing to our children. When your daughter Shakwaykway grows up and has 4 baby daddies and is a cashier at McDonald’s you’ll look back on this blog and wish you didn’t name her that.

To Tracee Randolph,
I see there some smart people here. Thanks for giving your daughter a normal name these other idiots are too ghetto, too stupid, to realize what they are doing to the black race and their children.

284 Acappellla Mon, Apr 25, 2011 - 9:19 pm

Uhh yeah you are right if you think that these names are quite stupid. lol. I recently read that a woman named twins: daughter Bonnie and the son Clyde. Then in that same article I read its getting so bad that the law might intervene when a clerk came across a baby the mom named Criminal. A wtf moment no doubt! Puma is not as bad as the ones they listed and I wish I had saved that article so you all could see that this is becoming a serious problem. This definitely can damage a child’s self esteem. Some of these kids are teased to no end. I think the law should step in if find a mom who named her kids something stupid as Peanut Butter & Jelly, or Pussy, or some other outrageous name that’s more of a title for trouble. And this is no exaggeration of some of the examples of real names given. What do you think?

285 Holli Grove Fri, Aug 12, 2011 - 5:12 pm

i hate bitches who hate on a african american who doing something with their self.. if thats what she want to name her child then so be it. if she was a regular person you ignorant bitches wouldnt give a f**k. Puma, Seven and Mars are different im tired of meeting a ashley’s and amanda’s its good she switched it up. i love you Erykah Badu!!!

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