![]() ![]() If you are asking as part of an introduction exercise and you want to quickly explain what gender pronouns are, you can try something like this: “Tell us your name, where you come from, and your pronouns. Try asking: “What pronouns do you use?” or “Can you remind me what pronouns you use?” It can feel awkward at first, but it is not half as awkward as making a hurtful assumption. Your actions will be greatly appreciated. Would you be okay with me taking them aside and reminding them about your pronouns?” Follow up if necessary, but take your cues from the comfort level of your student. ![]() It may be appropriate to approach them and say something like “I noticed that you were getting referred to with the wrong pronoun earlier, and I know that that can be really hurtful. If other students or faculty are consistently using the wrong pronouns for someone, do not ignore it! It is important to let your student know that you are their ally. ![]() ![]() This means saying something like “Alex uses the pronoun she,” and then moving on. In most cases, it is appropriate to gently correct them without further embarrassing the individual who has been misgendered. Taking an active role in your classes, you may hear one of your students using the wrong pronoun for someone. Please don’t! It is inappropriate and makes the person who was misgendered feel awkward and responsible for comforting you, which is absolutely not their job. If you realize your mistake after the fact, apologize in private and move on.Ī lot of the time it can be tempting to go on and on about how bad you feel that you messed up or how hard it is for you to get it right. The best thing to do if you use the wrong pronoun for someone is to say something right away, like “Sorry, I meant (insert pronoun)”. Or, worse, actively choosing to ignore the pronouns someone has stated that they go by could imply the oppressive notion that intersex, transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming people do not or should not exist.It’s okay! Everyone slips up from time to time. Just as it can be offensive or even harassing to make up a nickname for someone and call them that nickname against their will, it can be offensive or harassing to guess at someone’s pronouns and refer to them using those pronouns if that is not how that person wants to be known. Using someone’s correct personal pronouns is a way to respect them and create an inclusive environment, just as using a person’s name can be a way to respect them. These assumptions aren’t always correct, and the act of making an assumption (even if correct) sends a potentially harmful message - that people have to look a certain way to demonstrate the gender that they are or are not. Often, people make assumptions about the gender of another person based on the person’s appearance or name. These associations are not always accurate or helpful. Often, when speaking of a singular human in the third person, these pronouns have a gender implied - such as “he” to refer to a man/boy or “she” to refer to a woman/girl. In English, whether we realize it or not, people frequently refer to us using pronouns when speaking about us. What are personal pronouns and why do they matter? ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |