Staying true to her roots, she chose to give her daughter a Maori name. However, the school does not respect this heritage and gives her a nickname instead.
Having an unusual name is not an easy task for everyone.
While some enjoy being pronunciation experts to ensure it is said correctly, others are tired of having to conform to this practice every time they meet someone new.
Paris opted for the name Mahinarangi Tautu for her daughter, a name that is very dear to her heart as it honors her Maori culture.
The mother gave an interview to The Sun. When her daughter started preschool, she was given a nickname.
The mother was surprised when she discovered that Mahinarangi Tautu’s name had been shortened by the teacher.
Mahinarangi Tautu was nicknamed “Rangi.” Upset, the mother expressed her anger on online platforms.
“I am deeply saddened that in the 21st century, a five-year-old girl cannot proudly bear her name. Imagine your child feeling embarrassed about their name because others do not make enough effort to pronounce it properly?”
“My ancestors changed their surname from Perepe-Perana to Philips due to colonization. I will not allow this to happen to my child.”
The angry woman also revealed the beautiful meaning behind her daughter’s name. Mahinarangi Tautu means “celestial body in the firmament,” a name carried by many of her Maori ancestors.
It is crucial for children to feel proud of their names. Furthermore, our language is not so difficult to pronounce. A name represents an identity. Parents usually do not choose it randomly.
Many internet users criticized the teacher.
“She sometimes needs to learn from her students and improve herself,” “She needs to wake up,” “According to internet users, the school staff is simply lazy, even disrespectful.”
