10 year old sumit muhammed came back home from school very upset today. it was the first day back from winter vacation and the second semester started much like the first at his new school. his name was the topic of conversation at the far back desk cluster in ms. vargas’ advanced english class again. he came home visibly in tears after walking home from the bus stop alone. his mother greeted him.
“sumit? what is a problem sumit?
“i hate my name. girls and boys at school make fun of it.”
“sumit is the name of your great grandfather. you will be proud of it one day. but, if you like you can go by the nickname “sunny” at school until you are older and more proud of your pakistani heritage.”
“but santosh patel is already nicknamed ‘sunny”
“oh, sumit. ill let you in on an old pakistani secret…..ALL pakistani boys can go by the nickname ‘sunny’, regardless of what they are named.”
“really? thanks mom.”
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