What's In A Name - Iris E. S-Lewis's Blog

   Names in the bible were most important, because they were given to express the character of the person. The different names given to God in the bible give us a glimpse of one facet of his character. It may come as a surprise that so many names are given to God.

   Some names may sound meaningless; but to the owner of the name, it means something. How many folks have done the world a lot of good in spite of their name. Dr. Martin Luther King was named after a German theologian named, Martin Luther, 1483-1546.

   Malcolm X started it, and a number of African Americans began to change their names. They were ridding themselves of their fore parents slave master's name. Another slice of liberation had begun. Their new names would reflect names sounding a lot like some in their spiritual motherland, so called Africa. Their names would have meanings.

   In Belize British Honduras in the late sixties, Evan X Hyde returned home to Belize City from Dartmouth college in America. He was then known as Evan X. He became the founder of Amandala newspaper, and led a march through the downtown streets of Belize for social justice. His marchers were mainly college students.

   My eldest brother, Reginald Augustos Sankey, God rest his soul, was called 'Sankey' by his second wife. That pissed me off each time I heard her calling him by his last name, our family name. To me, it seemed disrespectful, unromantic, and lame.

   I didn't like my name while growing up. I can still recall during recess at St. John's Primary school, a few boys would taunt me with their antics; they'd touch each body part while saying, eye, wrist, back, side. Years later, I saw pictures of iris flowers. Then I read that Iris was the rainbow/messenger goddess.

   Dr. Maya Angelou, who was Marguerite Johnson, changed her name to Maya Angelou. One of her poem, 'Again I Rise' resonates with me since I am fourteen years free of addiction.

   I one day asked one of my childhood classmate why she called her handsome son, 'Snapper' Was he in the habit of snapping at everyone. That I didn't ask; but I do know that he was an innocent lad, I would rather call, Windell. When I think of the name Oprah Winfrey, it rings a bell of success. She who inspires all races ; her legacy will live on in spite of a few skeptics. I'm a fan of 'Super Soul Sunday'. And I know when to tune out. The names we hear, the sounds, the sense, thank goodness for change. What good is a nickname.

   No one has the right to criticize one's name. I asked my cousin, Veryeti, why she named her first born Tushondra. She politely explained that it was made up to reflect something of her Dad's middle name.

   Thank God for the name JESUS. The last syllable could well mean, SOS... SAVE OUR SOUL What luminous gift of grace and might. A light so liberating it's inextinguishable. For He sealed our pardon from sin and shame, and grant healing, and a chance to start over again, by the power of his name. One and only one light, lifting generations to life. But the name Jesus seems yet misunderstood. 

He was chiseled smooth. He knew our want of freedom from wayward thoughts and calamity; he gave words full and rich, and move us to action of divine wit. Yes, he became gift to humanity guiding us from infirmities. Behold his divine qualities; rest in his promises that by faith, we'll have richer life by power of his light. Yes, Jesus the Christ symbolizes new life. For in his name, exemplary and bright, the blind is befitted with clarity; the mute touched vocally, and the deaf soaks in sounds of harmony.

   All will be touched as emptiness is chased by glee. For in stillness of time; his gift we'll embrace like opulent tool chasing hate. Don't drop the gift. For Jesus is unlike any other in our world of turbulence and wonder, He lives.

   He real cool, he Had sublime tools, he Knew the rules, he Went down in pool he Enlivened the world, he Had hair as soft as wool, he Did all good he ever could, he Stood to test and died real soon, he Rose ascending to descend as told, he Reaffirmed sayings of old.

                                                   ...Inspired by Gwendolyn Brooks' 'We Real Cool'

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