Pronouns Matter

Some months ago I made a slight shift to how I display my name. I simply added (he/him). This wasn't done as a declaration of my pronoun preference but as an affirmation that everyone deserves to be referred to by their named pronouns.

Here's why.

As with most issues related to race, misogyny, and identity, the people with my profile (white, cis-gender male) are late to the game. I am not grouping race, misogyny, and identity as being the same things, having the same history, or requiring the same nuance and understanding. What these issues do have in common, however, is the history of malignant neglect perpetrated by people with my profile. This is not news to me or to many, but that doesn't mean it should not be repeated over and over again.

I was raised in a time and place that would have never considered the importance of pronouns, much less the right for someone to proudly own their identity.

My journey to understanding is mine, but I'm increasingly comfortable sharing it because I'm increasingly aware of the need for people like me to offer small signals of support wherever we can.

Perhaps others will learn from this and follow suit, in the same way I've learned and followed the examples set by others before me.

#lgbtq #education #educationindustry