Launched May 2021
@elimin8hate Duet this video to share your ReClaim Your Name story! Thank you to #LudilLin for sharing your name. #ReClaimYourName #Elimin8Hate ♬ original sound - Elimin8Hate
“There’s power to your name”.
Ludi Lin, actor, Mortal Kombat, Aquaman
ReClaim Your Name asks Asian Canadians and those with Asian ancestry to reflect on their name and if they adopted a Westernized name to try and fit in or blend in. Elimin8Hate is making a safe space for our community to reclaim or claim their ethnic name with pride and unpack feelings that may have been suppressed or internalized. We want our community to know that there is support when they are ready to speak up and speak out.
We want people to share how they got their western name and their ethnic name (if they kept it), who gave it to them, the history and meaning of their names, their feelings, thoughts, experiences and relationship to their name – as much or as little as they want. If they just want to say their name out loud, there is space for this too.
For those who did not have an ethnic name do they wish they had an ethnic name, do they feel connected to their heritage without an ethnic name?
For those who did not westernize their name, was there a time their name was mispronounced or teased about their ethnic name.
This project is not asking people to start using their ethnic name. Instead, (re)connecting with one’s cultural roots as a starting point to begin these difficult conversations on anti-Asian racism, anti-racism and white supremacy.
Elimin8Hate is looking for stories about you ReClaiming Your Name.
Send in a TikTok (details below) or email elimin8hate@vaff.org your story. Up to 8 people will be chosen from participants of ReClaim Your Name’s Sharing and Healing Circles and TikToks to have their stories made into mini-vignettes to be screened during Vancouver Asian Film Festival’s November festival.
How to Participate
Project: #ReClaimYourName
Objective: Make a 20-45 vertical video
Technical Requirements: Make sure face is well-lit, no distracting or bright background please.
TikTok Users: You can upload on your account, please tag @elimin8hate (we still want to download it please!)
Non-TikTok Users: If you do not have a TikTok account, please film the video on your phone in the vertical dimension (1080×1920). Send your final video in a link form to elimin8hate@vaff.org and provide any additional information (spelling of your name) in this email. By sending us your video, you give Elimin8Hate full ownership of your video, including editing rights to add closed captions and on-screen text.
@elimin8hate Duet me to share your name story! #ReClaimYourName #Elimin8Hate #asianheritagemonth #StopAsianHate #VAFFVancouver ♬ original sound - elimin8hate
@elimin8hate Stitch this video to share your name story! Thank you, Elieen, for sharing the meaning of your name 🙏 #ReClaimYourName #StopAsianHate #Elimin8Hate ♬ original sound - elimin8hate
@elimin8hate Thank you Thuy for sharing your story! Stitch this video to share you name story. #ReClaimYourName #SpotlightAPI #Elimin8Hate #stopasianhate ♬ original sound - elimin8hate
More Samples HERE
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS TO USE:
1) “Did you adopt a westernized name to fit in? I’ll go first”
2) “Tell me about a time when someone mispronounced your name; and what is the correct way to pronounce it? I’ll go first”
3) “Have you ever wanted to change your name? I’ll go first”
4) “Tell me what your name means. I’ll go first”
5) “Do you have a story about your name? Here’s mine”
#ReClaimYourName is inclusive by design, and anyone who has felt pressure to westernize their name is invited to share their story on TikTok using #ReClaimYourName and #Elimin8hate.
