This past August, Tennessee mother, Jaleesa Martin, was ordered by Judge Lu Ann Ballew to change the name of her son, “Messiah,” as it was labeled a title earned by Jesus Christ only. On Wednesday, Chancellor Telford E. Forgety, Jr. overturned Ballew’s decision ruling that the original order was unconstitutional.
A dispute between Jaleesa and the baby’s father, Jawaan McCullough, over Messiah’s last name turned into Judge Ballew ordering his first name changed as well. Messiah would then be named Martin Deshawn McCullough to include both parents’ names.
Her written order stated that “‘Messiah’ is a title that is held only by Jesus Christ,” and “Labeling this child ‘Messiah’ places an undue burden on him that as a human being, he cannot fulfill.”
Following an appeal hearing on Wednesday, Forgety ruled that Ballew had no basis for changing Messiah’s name and that her order violates the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution. Both parents agreed to the name Messiah Deshawn McCullough.
Martin, who never stopped addressing her son as Messiah, calls the original ruling “ridiculous” and always remained confident that it would be overturned.
“Everybody’s just happy,” Martin said after the ruling. “I’m glad it’s over with, and I know they are too.”
Read more on ABC News.
zakiyyah says
Canitra Reed your name is not in the least bit what is considered normal. I have worked at several attorney firms and have a successful business of my own and my name plays or has played no part in what has or has not been accomplished in my life. Does your name even mean anything?…smdreads
Cheryl says
Before we all jump on the “hate Canitra” bandwagon, she does have a point. Racism is real, and there are many out there that would be happy to dismiss us before they get to judge the content of our character. Zakiyyah, your name may not have stopped your success, but you cannot deny that when other folk see it, they come into the conversation with an automatic assumption. There is no way for you to know if it had a part in opportunities that you were not offered. If you check with a few top headhunters, you will find that to be true. It may not be an insurmountable obstacle, but to deny it exists is folly.
That said, I think it is ridiculous for a judge to determine what a parent can name their own child. As long as it is not an expletive, there is no reason to step in.
Anonymous says
How many people name their kids Jesus? Prince? Duke? Need I go on?
Tanya says
I agree with the judge that naming a baby Messiah is just not appropriate. However the judge had no right forcing this woman to change the name of her child. There is only one Messiah and his name is Jesus.
Anonymous says
So you say.
Diathe Garnes says
I have definitely had issues my whole life with people not being able to pronounce my name or assuming who I am because my name is so different. As a child, I wanted to change my name because of all the attention that it brought me. Now, as an adult I’m finally at peace with my name and have learned to embrace it, even though I still often get that same attention with employers and co-workers. With that being said, I don’t understand why everyone jumped on Canitra Reed. I’m assuming that she didn’t change her name to Canitra at some point and therefore had no more ability to choose it than Messiah or any of us. The fact that her name is different may be why she had the opinion that she had, and let’s not forget that her opinion is hers. As someone who was teased because of my name, I definitely understand where she is coming from, but I also thank God that I was able to overcome the negative attention to learn to love my name.
Many people do name their children names such as Jesus (especially in Hispanic families where it’s a common name) and Messiah and I feel that if there is a moral issue with picking those names, then it is one for God to judge and not an earthly judge. As a lover of Jesus Christ, I remember being taken back when I heard that TI had named his son Messiah, but then I reminded myself that I am not his judge and I got over it real quick. The first judge in this case should have done the same.
Nikki says
Granted there is only one Messiah, I don’t think the judge should have tried to make the mother change her child’s name. Doesn’t TI have a child named Messiah as well?
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