Pick a pronoun – any pronoun. It’s interesting that among a generation raised expecting to “have it your way,” some are bothered by today’s variety of pronouns. For some, the paradox of choice in pronouns means tacit endorsement of a “LGBTQIA+ agenda.” For others, it’s an affront to their politics or inconvenience. Still others fear being ridiculed for using the wrong pronoun. And then there’s laziness and disregard for others. The attention to Pronouns points to how, amid the culture wars, evolving language impacts our perception of the world.
The older I get, my occasionally stodgy self recalls Jefferson’s reply when asked about the complexity of religious plurality, “it neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.” Upon reflection, some issues don’t really affect us. Most people just want a life that includes happiness, dignity, affirmation, and freedom from harm.
How many roads must a man walk down, before you call him a man? (Blowing in the Wind, Bob Dylan)
On the other hand, few things are as important, or as anxiety laden as societal change. Whether it’s due to advancements in technology, evolving demographics, climate change, or pop culture, Western society is changing rapidly and, understandably, many find this concerning. How we respond defines who we are.
An important element of change is evolving language. Years ago, a senior member of the Bush administration made an obvious but simple comment, “These are things we know that we know. There are known unknowns. That is to say, there are things that we know we don't know. But there are also unknown unknowns, the ones we don’t know we don’t know.”
Buried within our language, inferred or explicit are the ideas, images, and accepted norms of American society. Most think in their native language. This means reality is defined by one’s vocabulary of words and ideas. In other words, you can only comprehend the unknown by using words and ideas that are known. By changing language, we change ourselves.
And how many years can some people exist, before they're allowed to be free?
When asked, I venture most would happily do what they could to end discrimination. Science confirms that humans experience mental and physical damage to their health caused by the stress associated with continued exposure to ideas or actions that deny dignity, one’s legitimate membership in society, or signals possible threats including a loss of freedom. This phenomenon has been well documented among Black women. The language you and I use, the way we act, intentionally or unknowingly, can contribute to other’s stress.
Yes and how many times can a man turn his head, and pretend that he just doesn't see?
Like you, I am no saint. But I try to remember that no one wakes up hoping I make their life more difficult. More than once I have learned that a plumber is as important as a pediatrician, that a mechanic is as essential as a Mayor. With age comes wisdom.
And how many ears must one man have, before he can hear people cry?
As we adjust to the inevitability of a changing world, is it too much to ask that we modify our language to accommodate those who struggle for legitimacy, safety, and acknowledgment? Whether it’s due to ethnicity, religion, age, education, socioeconomics, race, or sexuality, are those who simply want what we all want, a happy life, such a threat that we tolerate scapegoating by office seekers and malcontents?
Yes, and how many deaths will it take 'til he knows, that too many people have died?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind. The answer is blowin' in the wind
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