THIS MONTH'S OTHER:

'My Name Is Kanika...'©

By Kanika Sago

 

 

Generally, I grew up in Chicago

knowing who I was. 

We know this from a young time

in our understanding.

 

My name is Kanika.

'Kanika' means black cloth. 

It is the feminine name for black cloth. 

It is from the African country of Kenya.

Zahra is my middle name:

It is Arabic and means 'flower.' 

Sago, my last name,

is from the West Indies,

South America and Africa. 

 

My name was important. 

A racial understanding of it was developed early.  I liked my name and NEVER told

my mother or father I DID NOT like

or WANT my name.

 

My older grandfather had problems pronouncing my name and I was NEVER angry or hurt.  He called me

'Kin-nee-kay' and I always

responded happily.

 

He taught me about music and how to use 45-records and talked to me about

the media and newspaper reports. 

He liked Jeopardy with Alex Trebek

and lived long enough to watch it

with my daughter, Renata

when she was a baby/toddler. 

 

My grandfather was proud of me.

He liked King, Kennedy, Malcolm,

was quiet about Medgar,

and laughed with

the Haitian and the African. 

 

He identified with me and my challenges. 

 

I identify with myself through

his understanding.  I AM A GOOD PERSON FOR MY EXPERIENCE.

 

Thank you for listening.