Living Up To Our Names

As you all read in my first post, when I was younger, others would call me Silencio. Today, you all know me as Arturo or Velaz. All of our names and nicknames mean something unique to every person. They influence the way we are perceived and the way we look at ourselves. If the names we got at birth don’t fit our identify, we often search for new names that makes us feel like our true selves.

When homies would call me Silencio, it reflected how slick, observing, and trucha I was. The name could also give someone chills, you know, goosebumps. But after my street days, this name didn’t fit me no more. Silencio had already observed and learned enough from our varrios, sparking las ganas to cultivate change for the next seven generations. With that came my new placazo, Velaz.

Before I define what I go by today, I wanna express why it is important to claim your name. We are given a name at birth. We either learn to embody it or begin to search for a name that symbolizes who we are even better. I learned this in danza. None of the elders introduced themselves by their first names; instead, they all had names in Nahuatl, an indigenous language. This reinforces their connection to their roots, cultura, and identity. I would like for you to do the same. Define who you are, introduce yourself the way you want to be known, and embody it.

When I got the name Velaz, my big homie made it clear that it was earned, and carries a huge responsibility. Unlike Silencio, I no longer reside among the shadows, but rather bring light into the dark. A candle, for the entirety of its existence, will bring light and warmth into any given space. Putting in work for my community, now, takes the form of grassroots organizing, highlighting our voices, and being of service to my gente. So, ‘til my vela is put out, you best believe I’ll aim a source of light and warmth to the world. And if I ain’t living up to my name, I welcome you to call me out.