10/06/2026
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๐๐๐๐๐๐ | ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐ฆ๐ ๐๐ก๐๐ซ๐ฆ๐๐ข๐ง๐
Recently, the name "Sharmaine" has taken the internet by storm. Who would have thought that an orange, a simple fruit found in markets and fruit baskets, would become the center of an online trend?
The phenomenon began with a short comedic skit by a TikTok user, Baet, featuring an orange frustrated by its given name. Rather than being called something unique, it lamented being named after its own color. But the fruit wanted something better. It wanted to be called Sharmaine. Ironically, despite the orange's frustration, historical records suggest that the fruit was actually named before the color itself.
Despite this, the simple yet comedic premise, combined with its surprisingly relatable frustration, quickly resonated with online audiences. The video has since amassed more than 11 million views on TikTok. Soon, the orange named Sharmaine was joined by other unlikely personalities: an avocado named Melanie, a fly named Vanessa, and a growing cast of characters inspired by the trend.
But Sharmaine's story is not solely about humor and virality; it also offers a reflection on identity. Like her, each person possesses a distinct identity that deserves to be recognized and respected. Yet these identities are often overlooked, reduced to stereotypes, or subjected to discrimination. People are quick to make judgments based solely on outward appearances, whether through the color of one's skin, physical features, or other visible characteristics.
But Sharmaine did not let her color define who she was. She may have been orange, but that did not capture the entirety of her identity. To her, being "orange" was merely a description, not a definition of who she was. In much the same way, no person should be reduced to a single trait, characteristic, or label.
This lesson becomes especially relevant during Pride Month, a colorful celebration of individuality, self-expression, and identity. Yet many members of the community continue to face barriers to acceptance, often being reduced to labels such as ๐ฃ๐ข๐บ๐ฐ๐ต, ๐ฃ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข, ๐ต๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฃ๐ฐ๐บ, and even ๐ด๐ข๐ญ๐ฐ๐ต, often without others taking the time to understand their stories. Behind these words are individuals whose identities are reduced to stereotypes, leaving them vulnerable to ridicule, discrimination, and exclusion.
This often leads to feelings of worthlessness and a fear of embracing one's own identity. In search of safety and acceptance, many feel compelled to hide their true selves from society. Some may even develop a deep desire to change who they are, believing that conformity is the only way to avoid rejection. In its most severe forms, this internal struggle can lead to self-destructive thoughts and behaviors.
Perhaps that is why so many people connected with Sharmaine. Beneath the humor was a character who refused to let others define her solely by her appearance or the labels they imposed. Instead, she embraced her own identity and chose the name that reflected who she wanted to be.
Ultimately, that is what Sharmaine's story reminds us of. Whatever our color, background, or identity, we remain our own person, with the right to define ourselves on our own terms. And by embracing our identities with confidence, we create a space where others, like Vanessa, Melanie, and countless more, may also find the courage to be themselves without fear of judgment.
An identity need not be notarized to be recognized.
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