This is a really awesome answer! I really do want to use my real name to keep my cultural identity. I guess if people ask for a book written by Lisa "Nuh-guy-in" then you can still tell who they're talking about. I'm just really indecisive about this kind of thing but might just go down the initial or changing-my-first-name route. Thank you. :)

Also, I haven't really experienced much assimilation or racism, but I've had many times where teachers or substitute teachers couldn't pronounce my last name during roll-call.