As the Islamic state of Iraq and Syria, otherwise known as ISIS, continues to terrorize the Middle East, a California woman says she is facing backlash of their ruthless actions.
That's because her name is Isis.
Even though she has nothing to do with the terrorist group, public perception has made her the target of unwanted comments.
"Before all of the terrorist group thing started it was a positive conversation starter." Isis Lawson is talking about her name, which is the same as widely reported and used acronym for the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, the terrorist group that has videotaped beheadings for ransom, including two American journalists.
In no way affiliated, Lawson says negative feelings toward the terrorists have led to hurtful comments from strangers, especially at her work, a large retailer where she wears a name tag.
"They'll be passing by and they'll catch a glimpse and they'll stop and like laugh, or they'll actually come up to me because they glanced at my name,” Lawson said. “People say, ‘You should change your name,’ and I say, ‘No, actually. I'm not going to change my name. I have the right to have this name. It was given to me. I know what it stands for and it doesn't stand for terrorism.’"
A Google search for Isis turns up first news stories about the terror group, then, three down, is Wikipedia's definition, and Isis Lawson's namesake. "It's an ancient Egyptian name,” Lawson said. “It's a name of an Egyptian goddess. Even Cleopatra had an alter for her."
California
She's the goddess of health, marriage, and love, the opposite of the acts of violence, cruelty and hatred the self-proclaimed Islamic State of Iraq and Syria carry out and that are reported on daily. While it sounds like her name, this Isis would like the world to know the real meaning of her name.
"I'm not the only one with this name,” she said. “There's other women out there and girls that have the name. And it's not fair to them and myself."
Isis said her employer has been supportive and given her the option to change her name on her nametag. She says she chose not to because she's proud of it.
