G. Chuersanga

I’m 26. My ethnic background is Thai. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA.

My entire life I’ve had people tell me that my name is too hard to pronounce, they’re not even going to attempt to try pronouncing it. But I didn’t want to anglicize my name even though I’m Thai-American. I still cherish it—it’s my identity.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I included phonetic ways to pronounce my name on Zoom and in my email signatures. It’s still apparent when people are hesitant to say my name, but I’ve noticed that it has brought me visibility. If people don’t respect my name, then I see it as them not respecting me as a whole. I now care more about how people approach me and my name. The least people can do is attempt saying it.

Other times, my name leads to discussions about people’s love for Thai food and if I have any recommendations. Great that they love Thai food and all, but Thai food doesn’t represent me and my introduction to others become diluted. I am more than Pad Thai and Thai Tea!