Brazilian officials have refused to let a couple give their daughter a Yoruba name because, ‘it makes no sense”in Portuguese ..Cizinho Afreeka and wife Juliana desired to name their daughter “Makeda Foluke.” This is because they have roots with the Yoruba culture.
BW of Brazil reports that officials at the registration office declined stating it could provide possible future suffering for the person in social life.”
Despite their explanation, Foluke’s parents believe that the real reason their daughter’s chosen name was denied was because of racism.
The child’s father, Afreeka, said
“It’s a form of racism that takes place in Brazil: the racism of subtleties,” “It should be very natural a man and a Black woman adopting an African name, as the country is made up of three races. It is difficult to prove. Only those in this skin knows.”
In response, officials have denied racism comes into play.Their report reads
“The prosecutor’s office issued an opinion against the use of the name because they considered it likely to cause future problems for the child, suggesting a pre-name was added to the other names…such as Ana Maria Makeda or something like this.
When you pronounce the name in Portuguese it makes no sense at all, except for coming out wrong, which could provide possible future suffering for the person in social life.
Luiz Fernando, a civil registration official, said.
“The procedure is necessary with any name that can be used to leave the child in a vexatious situation or bullying. You have to filter.
These procedures are normal, no one refused to do the registration,” “It is not the name, not the meaning. It’s pronunciation, diction. Racism is really in people’s minds.”
The officials asked the couple give Makeda a more European-sounding first name. Then they could use Foluke as her middle name. However, little Makeda’s parents aren’t having it.
Makeda’s parents are left with no choice but to appeal to a judge to see if they can officially give her an African name.
“I will keep on until the end,”Afreeka said. “Either it will be Makeda Foluke or she’ll be with no registration.”