YEA yea yea Sing the George Michaels’ song, Blahh Blaaahhh, go 70's on me...

My name is Freedom Natane Mushaw . I am not a hippy, nor are my parents. I am Eastern-band Cherokee mix. But that’s a loooonng story! But maybe if I post the history, people will stop tripping out over it!! I was originally supposed to be Nicole. Ahhh Nicole, nice and simple, but no. My mother as an "inner racial joke" wanted to name me a name that stood for something... trust me there were others more creative or closer to my Native American roots. While in the womb, she called me Freedom, and had conversations with me. For 9 months, I was Freedom, until the day she went to sign my certificate, she wanted to then name me Nicole. My Grandpa and Grandma, proud Portuguese and Native Americans, said it would be a curse on me to live in a life of confusion, because I have heard my name as Freedom for 9 months. Trust me, that did not stop the confusion!! So to please my family's heritage and Grandparents ... Freedom was written down.

Please don't ask me anymore. Please don't sing. Just accept the fact I have an odd name smile, and move on. I went to school with a girl name Freedom, who was also Native mix. But I have yet to come across another, other than C&C Music Factory.

I was given a name that would label me my entire life. I remember the teacher always expecting me to be the helper, the good student, and the kids who assumed I was a snitch. Ahhh a name can cause so much trouble for a girl who wants to sit in the back of the room and not be noticed. I remember when I first had to right it in class.... It got to the point where I would go by my former middle name. Gina. I swore that when I got 18 I would change that name. But instead I have seen it as my own liberation. Today, I stand up for something, because of the way I was raised, and what I went through as a kid, and where I have come in life.

I was in the military with this name... can you believe that... Ohh the humiliation from my team mates. But I like my name today, and my child will have one that has a meaning, but maybe not as obvious or strong. I have learned my name in 8 languages, and I am fond of Azadeh.

I ask parents out there to think before you jump into a serious name and kids who got stuck with it, not to worry.