By Sierra Fentress
Caption:
The player this campaigned is inspired by is E, a 20 year-old student at a New York university. Originally from South Asia, E has lived in East Asia, West Europe, and currently lives in the North East, USA. E and his family practice Hinduism, and he plays for the US cricket team in his free time. E identifies as a homosexual, Muslim man but is following his dreams of getting a college education and pursuing a career in technology in America.
The Name of the Game is an ad campaign for Admiral Sportswear, the official brand of the US cricket team. On the back of each Admiral jersey is the name of the player. These names are the identities of these men; the first thing people see before they can see their faces. In other words, how they are recognized. These names are chanted and cheered by fans or slandered in media. These names appear in news headlines or misspelled on Starbucks cups. These names can be the reason for childhood jokes or the reason for being stopped and searched at an airport.
For this campaign, Admiral would collaborate with the US cricket teams to change the names on the back of the jerseys. The players real names are: Pranav, Rehman, Rithvik, Samsher, Savan, Srini, and Sudhir. All of these names would be changed to typical “American” names like Adam, Harry, Ben, Chris, and Sam. On the opening day of the first cricket match of 2021, each of these players would put on the jerseys with their “American” names. They would go by these names for the entire day — in conversation, out at restaurants, on the field, on social media, etc. They would sacrifice their identities, their names, their heritage, and culture in order to try to “fit” into an “American” stereotype.
These players would be asked to share their experiences throughout the day on social media using #nameofthegame #nameswap #admiral so fans could easily follow along and interact with the campaign. The players would explain how they felt different or how they were treated differently when introducing themselves or interacting with people under a different identity. This campaign would call attention to the fact that these players play for the United States team and yet are often treated like they are out of place. The Name of the Game is to bring awareness to harmful and polarizing stereotypes. Identity is unique and irreplaceable. No one should ever feel like they have to be ashamed of their identity or have to conceal their name.
E is…
- 20 Years-Old
- Male, Cisgender
- South Asian
- Hindu
- Upper Middle Class
- Gay