PERSPECTIVES

Now why would this affect me in any way except by reacting, "Finally!". I suppose it has to do with the historical significance of 'ethnic identification' in the United States. During the Cold War, not only was Lithuania "buried" by information nondisclosure, it did not exist as a known ethnic group in most social circles.

During most occasions when I stated I was Lithuanian, the following popular responses were heard;

"Is that a religion or a cult?"

"Is that Luthuranian or Lewthuwaynian?"

"Oh yeah, you guys are somewhere in Asia, right?"

My sixth grade teacher went as far as convincing me for that whole school year that my name was Rosa, not Rasa - implying that I was perpetually misspelling my name. She almost had me convinced.

One day in May, she asked to speak to me in private. She held in her hands my personal school file. This wise teacher looked at me and said, "Never, and I mean never, allow someone else to tell you who you are, no matter who that person thinks he or she is. You are Rasa Ardys, not Rosa."

Naturally, I was stunned and speechless. She finally got it, in a weird way. But so did I. From that day on I correct people when they mispronounce my name. I also give them a mini-geography lesson when Lithuania leaves them confused.

Lithuania's Pres. Adamkus had every right to be pleased with New York's response. In fact, New York's behavior may have improved my opinion about the fair city.