The Weight of Mispronunciation: Subtle Yet Substantial Harm
In the grand tapestry of human interaction, there are certain actions that hold more weight than their seemingly innocuous surface suggests. Such is the case with mispronunciation, an act that might be brushed off as a simple linguistic slip but can carry a significant impact, especially in the context of a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) leader like Racquel Garcia. At the recent Colorado statewide opioid abatement conference, the mispronunciation of Garcia's first name by Michelle Barnes, a white leader with a privileged identity, reverberated with implications that extended far beyond the auditorium's walls.
Imagine the scene: a prominent BIPOC leader takes the stage, poised to share insights, experiences, and solutions derived from years of dedication and hard work as the mainstage keynote speaker. Her name, a part of her identity that carries cultural and personal significance, is the gateway to her presence and story. When that name is mispronounced later in the program, it's more than just a linguistic error—it becomes an unintentional erasure, a subtle message that her identity isn't valued enough to be pronounced correctly.
For Garcia, this mispronunciation isn't just an oversight; it's a symbol of a broader pattern of disregard for her and her community's contributions. It underscores the privilege that allows some to ignore the importance of pronouncing names correctly—a privilege that perpetuates the cycle of inequality. It's as if her identity is being sifted through a filter of indifference, denying her the basic respect of having her name spoken as it's meant to be.
The mispronunciation of Racquel Garcia's name at the Colorado opioid abatement conference serves as a poignant microcosm of a larger narrative that echoes the erasure experienced by Dr. Medlock and the striking refusal of the new leadership to acknowledge her invaluable contributions. Just as the mispronunciation underscored the systemic challenges faced by BIPOC leaders, the deliberate omission of Dr. Medlock's name reflects a pattern of sidelining those who have laid the foundation for progress. These actions are interconnected manifestations of a prevailing issue: the reluctance to recognize and celebrate the achievements of BIPOC individuals, both in the past and present. Just as Garcia's name embodies her identity, the acknowledgment of Dr. Medlock's legacy is essential in dismantling the barriers that perpetuate inequity, fostering a space where past and current voices are valued, and respected.
Mispronunciation resonates with a history of marginalized voices being silenced or ignored, often unintentionally. It's a reminder of the countless times BIPOC individuals have had to navigate spaces where their presence is tokenized rather than genuinely welcomed. It serves as a vivid illustration of how even in spaces that should be dedicated to collaboration and progress, the deep-seated biases of a privileged identity can manifest in ways that undermine the very ideals being discussed.
The harm inflicted by such mispronunciation is multifaceted. It taints the conference environment with an air of discomfort and tension. The audience, particularly those attuned to the nuances of racial dynamics, can sense the underlying unease and often choose to placate the harm with applause or silence. A JFM source reports that when Barnes took the stage for short remarks, a handful of courageous attendees stood up and walked out in a clear and unignorable protest. This symbolic act was a powerful statement against a continuation of the BHA's dismissive behavior and a lack of accountability for the harm caused. The harm inflicted by such mispronunciation also erodes the credibility of the mispronouncer—a leader who seemingly fails to invest the time and effort to recognize and respect the individuals she addresses. Lastly, and perhaps most significantly, it sends a message to BIPOC individuals that their experiences, their identities, and their contributions are secondary—a message that reverberates long after the event concludes.
Barnes' speech, while intended to promote inclusivity, felt antagonist to many in the audience. Her mention of including people with lived experiences as “every committee every work group had people with lived experience and not just like oh let's put someone's lived so we can check that box we listened we made changes we created a system with people that were living day” mirrored and mocked the language used by Garcia in her previous protests. In May of 2023, Racquel and her team gathered accomplices to show up both in-person and online to attend the May BHAAC meeting displaying images with the words, “More than diversity” with the v replaced by a check box, challenging Barnes's disrespectful treatment of Garcia. This moving visual protest was acknowledged by Barnes during the May meeting, so feigning ignorance is not an excuse for Barnes's deplorable behavior in August. Also, Barnes has yet to address the treatment of Garcia or Dr. Medlock in public or private, so why mirror and mock on a public conference stage? This blatant disregard for Garcia's efforts to raise awareness and drive change struck a chord with the conference audience compelling a source to tip off the JFM collective.
The video clip above is a recording of Barnes's brief podium remarks wearing a red blazer and standing alone on stage with an American flag to her right and a table with a laptop to her left. The check box commentary occurs at time stamp :29 and the mispronunciation occurs at time stamp 1:36. You can also watch Barnes’s short remarks and Garcia’s mainstage keynote on the Colorado AG’s YouTube channel. The links were live at 9:00 a.m. MST on August 29, 2023. The mispronunciation occurs at the time stamp 43:43 and the check box commentary occurs at the time stamp 42:34. JFM recommends that you ground by experiencing Dr. Morgan Medlock’s moving State of Reform keynote and note the care and respect delivered in using Racquel Garcia’s name at the timestamp 20:20. The keynote video was functioning at 9:00 a.m. MST.
These recent incidents are not isolated events but rather a culmination of previous actions that have sparked outrage within community. The BHA under Barnes and Gatehrcole’s leadership has been documented as dismissive of the concerns and needs of those with marginalized identities, including Garcia. This thoughtless disconnect has fueled tensions and widened the gap between those in positions of power with privileged identities and those without.
In a world striving for inclusivity, equity, and understanding, the mispronunciation of a name might seem like a minor issue. But in the intricate fabric of dismantling systemic biases, every thread matters. As leaders continue to pave the way for change, it's crucial to recognize that even small actions can perpetuate harm, making the journey to a truly equitable society all the more challenging. Only by acknowledging and addressing these subtle yet substantial impacts can we hope to create an environment where every person is valued, every name is respected, and every identity is respected.
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