Dembroff and Wodak's (2018) article "He/She/They/Ze"
Before the crazy time of COVID when we were able to attend classes and sit right next to each other each teachers would always start the semester by asking us to say our names, our preferred pronouns as well as maybe a fun fact about ourselves. When I was a freshman we were never asked these questions. It was not until my Junior year where I was asked in all of my classes to disclose my preferred pronouns. Reading Dembroff and Wodak's (2018) article "He/She/They/Ze" it got me thinking that teachers and or people asking one to provide their pro nouns is an invasion of privacy. I am not entirely convinced that is even something that needs to be asked. As the intention may be very pure in wanting to create an environment that aims to be more inclusive and understanding, it seems that by asking something so personal is beyond information that a teacher should need to know. I think asking students to say their names and calling them by their names is a way to mitigate the uncomfortable conversation of how a student wants to be identified. If he or she feels comfortable or wants to disclose that information about themselves then they can freely share that.We do not ask people to share their religious beliefs or their cultural background as that would be far beyond what is appropriate it makes me question why we so badly need to know the way in which someone identifies themselves especially when the relationship is not yet established with the professor or the rest of the student body.
However, I am not sure how to change this narrative. I think that it is import that all people are feeling as though they are free to be who they are and called by the pronouns or name that fits them the best. Yet, I do not think we have it completely right by assuming people want to share that information with people they do not even know yet. I struggle to understand the radical claim of gender neutral pronouns. I think many times when our society tries to use gender neutral pronouns we expect dominance in males. For centuries it has been a male dominated culture and it is that way for so many cultures. I fear that if we are not changing the bigger narrative of the issue at hand which in my opinion is accepting everyone for who they are regardless of religion, sexuality, ethnicity, gender etc. then as a society we are going to be stuck in the same cycle we have been. There needs to be a change I am just not sure what thats change is and how it should look and sound. I think ultimately as students and as a future teacher my hope is that we are all able to understand, accept and be free to be whoever we want to be. Regardless of who we are or what we identify as. All students, teachers and people are smart, intelligent and beautiful who deserve to be heard and understood for their mind not anything other then that.
Hi Mary, I appreciate your honesty in your criticisms of the article. I would argue, however, that eliminating gender-specific pronouns would solve the very problem of invasion of privacy following forced disclosure of pronouns that you mentioned was a concern of yours. If everyone was referred to by the same gender-neutral pronouns, there would be no personal information disclosed by referring to someone by the correct pronouns. I think this could maybe help us move a step closer to what you refer to as the "bigger narrative" of accepting everyone regardless of who they are. Thank you for sharing and I do think you will be a wonderful and thoughtful teacher some day!
ReplyDeleteHi Mary and Christina,
DeleteDo you think there would be any downsides to using "they" for everyone? Can you think of any situations in which the harm thereby caused might be worse than that caused by asking for personal information?
Thank you both for the reply and thoughtful question. I think that using "they" for everyone does not fit just right. It is too general and does not solve the issue because it has no personality behind it. The word does not allow for the person to be who they truly are.
DeleteHi Mary,
ReplyDeleteI relate to your observation that Siena has recently started having people disclose their pronouns. As a freshman orientation leader this year, I often would have freshmen say their name, pronouns, major, and a fun fact. However, I do not remember ever telling people my pronouns myself as a freshman. I also think the intention is good as they aim to create an inclusive environment, while understanding that some people may be uncomfortable sharing this information. I agree with Christina's point that if everyone had the same gender-neutral pronoun, then people wouldn't be sharing private information on the spot. I think that is something we should work towards in society as a whole, and I also hope that eventually everyone will be able to accept others regardless of gender identity. Thank you for your thoughts!
-Ashna Gupta
Hi Mary,
ReplyDeleteI wondered if you might say more about the following sentence from your post?: "I think many times when our society tries to use gender neutral pronouns we expect dominance in males."
I wasn't quite sure what you meant, but I am curious.
Hi Dr. Nora,
DeleteI think what I am trying to say is that males in our society are the dominate gender so when we try and use words such as "they" or or "ze" often times I think people assume male gender. Now I do not think think this always the case however, with males being the dominate gender it is easy to go right to that thought.
Hi Mary, I believe that you are spot on, with your take about teachers asking everyone to mention what their preferred pronouns are. It is indeed invasive, and would be paradoxical to do, because when a room is full of “normal” boys and girls, we don’t ask them what their religion and background is, we accept and love each other regardless. Plus you are bound to find out eventually if you start talking to them specifically. In this way, i don’t think it’s necessary to ask someone their identity if you’re not planning on talking to them or getting to know them. If you are not going to interact with the person, there is really no need to find out what their gender is before you even know what their name is.
ReplyDelete