How much do we value the pen over the sword? It can be argued, that communication is key for resolution and in some situation actions may speak louder than words. When fighting for justice, it can be safe to say that both efficient communication and action is needed, because after all striving for a just world is the biggest challenge we have faced since the beginning of time. Now that we are exiting 2016 and entering a new year, I believe it is time to reevaluate the language we use in order to begin social movements that make a difference, such as bringing inequality, sexism, misogyny, and the patriarchy to a rest.
We have dealt with a long “HIS”-tory of using language that perpetuates power and dominance over certain groups. Older works of writing such as philosophy and the bible often refer to a total body of people as “mankind” or “He” to refer to “all.” In modern day, we use “hey guys” when entering a room full of friends. Is it not ignorant to think that coincidently such words such as “hu-MAN,” “HIS-tory,” “wo-MAN” favor one gender? Of course we do not automatically think “the patriarchy!” because this language has been normalized and “neutralized” ? Even so, it is crucial to take in mind how language sets up issue frames. After all it is the language that seems the most innocent and the one we make of as most “neutral” that is the most problematic.
What has recently become more out in the open is the use of preferred pronouns. As a truly free individual we should have the liberty to identify with whichever pronouns we prefer. Thus we should not have to identify as a “girl” or a “boy” if we do not feel this embodies our true self. The pronouns “they/them/ze” are now being legitimized by feminist and queer studies scholarship. Though, there has been progress we are still fighting against dominant ideologies of gender binaries. It becomes difficult to pursue justice for the LGBTQ community and even justice between the established genders of womyn and men when strict gender binaries are produced and perpetuated in institutions such as schools, hospitals, and in the judicial system through communication and documentation (Butler, 1990). Through these systematized structures we are forced to identify ourselves. Are you female or are you male? Check in the box.
What is important to take in mind is that sex does not equal gender and gender does not equal desire. A biological “girl” may identify as a “boy” and have a sexual orientation towards a “girl.” This does NOT make her a lesbian if she identifies as so. It is NOT a linear concept therefore we must not make assumptions in a narrow linear procedural path. This is when using gendered pronouns becomes a problem; it assumes.
This is not to say that identifying as a man or a womyn is wrong. We should identify with what makes us feel more comfortable. It is however, important to recognize that using gendered pronouns endorses differences among people. These differences become hurtful when they define our limitations and define the “right” way to live. If we avoid using “Hey guys” and advocate for “hey everyone” or “hey ya’ll” we can begin to dismantle the power hierarchy of gender. We may replace “women” with “womyn” as a claim for dignity. If we begin to address people as beings, and just that, perhaps we will start to get a glimpse of what it means to live in a just world.
