Arif’s story begins when he is in kindergarten and one day his parents legally change his name
from the birth name that was given to him by his paternal grandfather for a less “offensive” and less misunderstood name. Arif goes on to analyze the embarrassing and painful nicknames bullies and mean kids gave him to ridicule him for being different. He then focuses on labels and stereotypes that others try to place upon him and his own challenges to keep from labeling and stereotyping others. With the use of poignant and humorous personal stories Arif Choudhury skillfully demonstrates the power of names in shaping one’s identity.

• Click to Read the Article from the Chicago Tribune (Sept. 2007) on Arif! (PDF format)