What is in a name, indeed? Names have power, folks have known that since time immemmorial. That which we cannot name we fear more than that which we can. Even today, names have power. If you see me on the street and call me by name, I am more likely to respond than if you say, "Hey, you!"

We don't think of names too much any more, but that doesn't lessen their power. And a good example of the power of names can be found in an on-going humanitarian crisis in Burma; or, as the military dictatorship currently ruling Burma would prefer, the Union of Myanmar.

How was it that the Bard phrased the question?

JULIET

'Tis but thy name that is my enemy;
Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.
What's Montague? it is nor hand, nor foot,
Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part
Belonging to a man. O, be some other name!
What's in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet;
So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd,
Retain that dear perfection which he owes
Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name,
And for that name which is no part of thee
Take all myself.
Romeo and Juliet, Act II, Scene 2

Ah, yes, thank you dear Juliet. This sums up succinctly what the ruling dictatorship wants you to believe:

So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd, Retain that dear perfection which he owes Without that title

 "What's in a name," these dictators ask. "Burma, Myanmar, is it not the same land? A rose, as they say..." And then they casually shrug as if to say, 'tis no biggie.

And, in an aside to truth, there is little difference as far as I can tell... Myanmar is the written name, Burma is the colloquial name. It's akin to my living in the United States of America and having all the citizens refer to our country as USA. The difference between Myanmar and Burma as the name for the country is almost a technicality but for the fact that names have power.

If names did not have power, then the rulers would care little how their country is called. They could philosophically say, "Myanmar, call it Burma, it is still the same."

And yet they don't. Why not? because one of the powers inherent in a name is definition. The ruling dictatorship stated one day that the country, henceforth, would be known as Myanmar. They renamed the capital and some other places. The interesting thing is, they didn't do it to suddenly create Ne Win city but to make the names more correct within the written language.....well, within one of the written languages, because there are several ethnic groups and languages floating around.

And opposition groups, especially those outside of the country that feel the military dictatorship is not good, insist on saying Burma rather than Myanmar.

And, everytime they do so, it reminds folks about the fact that the country is run by a dictator; though the crackdown that occurred in August of 2007 in response to the protests was a reminder as well. Because names define us. As individuals, as groups, especially as citizens. They help define how we are perceived by others. Names have power and names are important.

And today, after Cyclone Nargis hit in early May 2008, the dictator's government is reacting slowly to letting in aide groups. Especially those calling upon the government of Burma to let them in. Because there is power in a name.

Unfortunately, both sides believe they are right and it's the folks who need the aid that are suffering the most. I pray for them.

Peace, gentle readers