This past Wednesday, Villanova CASA hosted Dr. Javier Ávila to perform his clever one-man show titled The Trouble with My Name.
His enactment blended poetry, storytelling and relatable scenarios that allowed him to connect with the audience. Ávila is a profound novelist who was awarded Pennsylvania’s Professor of the Year in 2015 by the Carnegie Foundation. His works reflect his experiences as a Latin American, explaining how his understanding of identity has changed living in both Puerto Rico and mainland United States.
From the moment he began speaking, Ávila’s presence filled the room. He captivated the audience by merging his quick wit with close-to-home anecdotes, shifting effortlessly from laughter to contemplation. He opened with the line, “For the first half of my life, I thought I was white,” setting the scene of his journey as someone who navigated two different environments, confronting the complexities surrounding culture and race. What followed was an hour of introspection and humor that delved into his encounters surrounding his name and background.
Ávila recited renditions of two poems, one titled Denied Service, which touched on the discrimination he has faced due to his physical profile. He seamlessly switched between Spanish and English when reciting this poem, communicating the internal struggle surrounding these double identities.
“It is a conflict to love a country that doesn’t always love you back,” Ávila said during the event.
His words left a lasting impact as he reminded the audience of the emotional weight behind the “immigrant” experience, despite always being a U.S. citizen. He delved into what it means to be a minority in the United States, often having to work against stereotypes. Ávila referred to a specific instance in which he moved to a new neighborhood in Pennsylvania and introduced himself to his neighbors. One mistook him for a yard worker and casually asked him for an estimate on his services, assuming that Ávila had replaced “his guy, José,” who had “gone back home.” The audience erupted in laughter at the absurdity, but the moment also underscored the quiet prejudices minorities face every day. These microaggressions can appear in any interaction, urging listeners to confront these realities rather than brush them off in acceptance.
Ávila went on to read his most anticipated poem, The Trouble with My Name, which encapsulates the show’s entire message. Through rhythm and comedy, he expresses the constant mispronunciations and creative reinventions of his name since moving to the U.S.. In Puerto Rico, he joked “Javier” was the equivalent to the common “Emily” or “Jake,” and he desperately wished to have a unique name. But once he migrated, he realized he had gotten what he hoped for, and suddenly his name became a linguistic obstacle course. Ávila even confessed to having what he described as a “designated coffee shop order name,” which he revealed to be Herbert.
“I let someone call me ‘Keisha’ for three months because I was too scared and uncomfortable to correct them,” Dr. Zakiya Elliot, Assistant Director of VSB Unitas, said in agreement.
Ávila’s creative approach to this topic offers a way for many people to be seen and spoken for. These issues seem to be often easily dismissed, but bringing light to them through a blend of irony and vulnerability allowed Ávila to foster genuine understanding.
By the end of the hour, Ávila had done more than merely perform; he had mirrored shared experiences and created a bond between people across all different backgrounds, experiences and identities. His ability to turn discomfort into creative dialogue sparked the beginning of an important conversation. The next time you choose to change your name when ordering your Starbucks, just know that behind every “Herbert” and “Bob” is a full-length show waiting to be written.
