A smile spread across mama's face as she said, "Good morning, Ashanti." "I prepared your favorite pancakes and eggs for your first day of 4th grade. Your dad and I love you and know you will have a wonderful school year." 

In anticipation of my first day, I barely touched my favorite breakfast as my heart raced with excitement. 

The prospect of learning, playing, and most importantly, making new friends was extremely exciting to me. I almost forgot to thank mama as I hurried out the door to make my bus on time. 

As soon as I heard the bell ring, I ran into my classroom and sat down. The teacher had not yet arrived when I heard a voice asking, "Are you okay?" I glared intensely at the green blackboard. The blackboard appeared to have eyes as I looked at it. After the nose and then the mouth, I was able to envision a face. The blackboard then began to speak.

 It was then that I realized it was all in my imagination due to my nerves getting the best of me. After taking a deep breath, I returned to reality in anticipation of my new teacher's arrival. 

Finally, my teacher arrived and sat down at her desk. "It is my honor to teach you in fourth grade. My name is Mrs. Anderson, and I am looking forward to the school year. And then the words I dreaded hearing tumbled out of her mouth. Her cheerful tone emphasized, “Now I will take attendance. When your name is called, please raise your hand.” 

She smiled warmly as she called out names. "Michelle? …Michael?…Kathy?…Angela?” 

Knowing my name would be called soon, I trembled. 

“…Elizabeth ….Troy? 

As if she was trying to figure out a Rubik cube, her smile decreased, her eyes blinked, and her lips pursed.   

In a quiet voice, she cleared her throat. I will take a shot at it... Could it be A-Shan-Tay? “Did I say that correctly? Her voice teemed with optimism.  

Despite my embarrassment, I nodded.  

Her smile was full of relief and satisfaction as she said, "Okay, good.".  

The humiliation was so intense that I was barely able to breathe. It felt as if I was invisible, unheard, and unvalued. The laughter of my classmates could be heard as I slumped down in my chair.  

I imagined I was a superhero and changed the narrative of what had just occurred as my teacher continued to take attendance.  

I am Ashanti and I was not named after the singer. "uh"+"SHAN"+"tee" is the way you pronounce my name. Oh my gosh! It is awful to have a name like mine! As I pondered my name, I wondered why I had such a difficult, weird, and hideous name out of all the names in the world.