> Those who failed to pivot pronouns were frequently labelled as transphobic, but the reality is tons of folks already struggle massively with grammar in general. Insisting that a traditionally plural term represents just a single person broke their brains. Since people dislike both grammar and self-examination, they just turned away.
The bit reminds of an unhinged (in a bad way) British comedian going off the French sentence, "Je m'appelle John." having the literal translation, "I am called John", referring to yourself in the 3rd person.
As interesting as grammar and how we talk about ourselves is, most non-normative pronouns at this point are they/them. Not hard. I can't even remember peoples' names, how the hell am I going to remember their pronouns?
Except that many folks use "they" as a sort of passive-aggressive way to mock trans people whose pronouns they disapprove of, and so now using "they" on somebody whose pronouns you have been told is becoming a faux pas because of that implication.
I often wonder, like was this top down, or was this bottom up? When you have Twitter and everyone gets to make their own opinions, like how do you "control the movement". I think there was some sort of organic sense that progressives were looking for ways to support a community.
That all being said, I sort of didn't like the coerced pronoun thing from the opposite side. I do sometimes empathize with the fact that are things you do for political reasons (normalize pronouns) that aren't perfect interpersonally, but like as someone is sort of gender-agnostic.
I don't want to talk about my pronouns because I feel like it forces me to reckon with a thing I don't want to reckon with. Gender has always been a sensitive topic for me, so it feels strange to sort of open a conversation in front of my colleagues with something that feels very vulnerable. And then to sort of be chastised for not being a good ally because you don't want to announce your pronouns. I have to imagine there are other trans and non-binary people who are not out who feel similarly awkward.
> Let’s be real: In effect, pronouns are a form of generational warfare.
Oh, **** off.
I agree that grace is something that sometimes gets lost in the cutting edge of liberalism. The article touches on this—in some cases, yes, it's a generational difficulty conceptualizing what are to them new ideas about gender that conflict with their upbringing. There's sometimes an attitude of "get with the program yesterday" amongst very progressive people that serves to alienate people acting in good faith trying but erring. I think if we did show more grace in that area, it would be a net positive for society and for trans acceptance.
However. That "get with it yesterday" attitude is a response to the overwhelming amount of bad faith dialogue that currently exists and has historically existed in the trans conversation. This article glosses over intentional misgendering and real transphobia in a way I found very gross.
Starting a conversation with pronouns can be a form of liberal virtue signalling, but it can also be a genuine exercise in trying to accommodate people's hard fought for identities. I'm sorry if you don't think someone is worth gendering correctly because they haven't done something outstanding for you, and I'm sorry if you don't feel that person is worth expressing your identity to either. To the same extent that we should be extending grace to people acting in good faith to understand gender pronouns, I hope we can extend that grace to people using them.
As a bisexual dude (I live quietly and openly with who needs to know my life.. I don't impose on anyone ), they are the 2nd biggest reason why Trump Is our current president. They tried to impose ideas that are not logical onto the majority and they are very very small minority. And now we have Trump besides inflation that's probably the second biggest thing the majority of all Americans disliked & wanted to say it via their vote.
It isn't the left, it is anytime you affect change, you are changing a system, a changing system is an opportunity for every yahoo to get their pet changes in. The Wisdom of Crowds coupled with the Second System Effect.
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[ 1.5 ms ] story [ 44.9 ms ] threadThe bit reminds of an unhinged (in a bad way) British comedian going off the French sentence, "Je m'appelle John." having the literal translation, "I am called John", referring to yourself in the 3rd person.
As interesting as grammar and how we talk about ourselves is, most non-normative pronouns at this point are they/them. Not hard. I can't even remember peoples' names, how the hell am I going to remember their pronouns?
I just call everyone they.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AXMfSnk06L0
That all being said, I sort of didn't like the coerced pronoun thing from the opposite side. I do sometimes empathize with the fact that are things you do for political reasons (normalize pronouns) that aren't perfect interpersonally, but like as someone is sort of gender-agnostic.
I don't want to talk about my pronouns because I feel like it forces me to reckon with a thing I don't want to reckon with. Gender has always been a sensitive topic for me, so it feels strange to sort of open a conversation in front of my colleagues with something that feels very vulnerable. And then to sort of be chastised for not being a good ally because you don't want to announce your pronouns. I have to imagine there are other trans and non-binary people who are not out who feel similarly awkward.
Oh, **** off.
I agree that grace is something that sometimes gets lost in the cutting edge of liberalism. The article touches on this—in some cases, yes, it's a generational difficulty conceptualizing what are to them new ideas about gender that conflict with their upbringing. There's sometimes an attitude of "get with the program yesterday" amongst very progressive people that serves to alienate people acting in good faith trying but erring. I think if we did show more grace in that area, it would be a net positive for society and for trans acceptance.
However. That "get with it yesterday" attitude is a response to the overwhelming amount of bad faith dialogue that currently exists and has historically existed in the trans conversation. This article glosses over intentional misgendering and real transphobia in a way I found very gross.
Starting a conversation with pronouns can be a form of liberal virtue signalling, but it can also be a genuine exercise in trying to accommodate people's hard fought for identities. I'm sorry if you don't think someone is worth gendering correctly because they haven't done something outstanding for you, and I'm sorry if you don't feel that person is worth expressing your identity to either. To the same extent that we should be extending grace to people acting in good faith to understand gender pronouns, I hope we can extend that grace to people using them.