Yewande Biala has said that "mispronouncing or changing people's names is just another form of racism" after butting heads with Love Island co-star Lucie Donlan.
The 24-year-old claimed Lucie had "refused" to use her name because she had difficulty pronouncing it, as the two clashed over unearthed remarks made by the latter accusing the former of "bullying."
Yewande denies she ever bullied Lucie, and has since penned a powerful article for The Independent in which she writes that "pronouncing [my name] correctly is key to my identity."
She recalls in the piece that she's harboured worries about people "butchering" her name since childhood, and that she'd insisted to her mum that she'd give her own kids "European or normative names so no one would laugh at them."
Yewande continues: "...when someone doesn't take the time to learn the proper way to pronounce another person's name, or worse – intentionally mocks it for being 'too difficult' to pronounce, or tries to ascribe another name to make themselves feel comfortable – it can come across as malicious."
Wrapping up her piece, Yewande concludes: "Imagine living in a world where our culture and heritage were abolished in order to make others feel comfortable.
"Without an adequate understanding of the illusive dynamics of subtle racism and racialised re-naming, microaggressions will remain invisible and harmful to the well-being, self-esteem, culture and identify of ethnic minorities.
"So, when you address me, say my name – 'Yewande' – and yes, it is important."
The Mirror has contacted Lucie's reps for comment.
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