An interesting phenomenon

When Fireman Steve came to visit (you can read about that particular episode here) he left some fire fighter puppets at the centre. It was for a competition, the children had to think of a name for each puppet, the best name wins a prize. Simple. So we got each child to draw both of the puppets and right the name they choose below it. One puppet was a middle aged man with a dark skin tone (could be Asian, could be black, but the important thing is that he was dark) the other was a young Caucasian female. Now as I was looking through all the pictures, a most curious realisation hit me, it made me smile but deep down it worried me slightly too. Every child had given the dark puppet an obviously Christian name. Now I don’t have anything against Christian names (in fact many of them share their roots and origins with Muslim names), but what I don’t get is why did every single child (all the children are asian btw) name the dark skinned puppet (believe me when I say dark skinned, there was no mistaking it for a caucasian puppet) a Christian name? Again I’m not saying that someone with dark skin cannot go by a Christian name, or that there is anything wrong with it, but the point I’m trying to make is that not one of the 27 asian (and they are all Muslim) children we have at the centre choose to name the puppet an Asian name or a black name. It really did amaze me, I just don’t get it. Then it got me thinking why it was so, perhaps they didn’t think Asian people join the fire service, which is probably true. Maybe they thought that to succeed anywhere in life you have to have a Christian name??? . Then again maybe they thought the total opposite in that the colour of your skin and your name don’t necessarily have to be connected, and that anyone can go by any name irrespective of their colour, surely that’s a positive thing? I mean it would break down stereotypes wouldn’t it? Then the psychologist in me began thinking what if it was the other way round, what if a group of Caucasian children were given the same puppets and the same task what would their reaction be, were they likely to name the dark skinned puppet by an Asian name or by a Christian name…is this me just being paranoid or does anyone else out there think it’s an interesting phenomenon…..

DISCLAIMER: It has not been my intention to offend/upset anyone in any way shape or form whilst writing this post but if I have then please let me know and I will do my best to rectify it :)