#GreetNeutrally for Equality
By Kayla Arradondo
Our language and the words we use are essential in shaping our culture and our norms. Even without us realizing it, the language we use can shape the way we think, causing us to accept a multitude of untruths. For instance, words like “firemen” or “policemen” can inadvertently lead to masculine default bias - the notion that men are the only ones who can or should hold these positions, as only men do these things. While that may have been true in the past, that language doesn’t reflect our current society or what we want our society to look like anymore. Gender neutral alternatives like “firefighter” or “police officer” are readily available, and are commonly used in many places today.
Moreover, gendered greetings inherently reinforce the idea that gender is binary. Saying things like “hey ladies and gents” excludes anyone who doesn’t identify as either. It also implies that the only ‘normal’ members of society are those that identify themselves as a woman or a man. Instead, using gender neutral greetings such as “hey everyone” or even a “hey y’all” can be much more inclusive, and not make anyone uncomfortable. Such greetings are shorter and more convenient, too!
The importance of gender neutral pronouns cannot be lost either. The singular “they” has become an increasingly powerful word, as a convenient way for people to identify themselves without subscribing to the gender binary. Many people have taken to using “they/them” pronouns to self-identify. Instead of assuming gender, it’s important to use gender neutral terms, or at the very least be mindful enough to ask people for their preferred pronouns.
Not only is language that is gendered harmful to society, but there are racialized terms that perpetuate negative stereotypes. For example, the term “uppity” was used to describe black people that “didn't know their place;” the phrase “long time no see” made fun of Native American language; the phrase “sold down the river” originated with the slave trade. These and numerous others are important examples for why we need to learn the history behind the things we say. We don’t have to keep doing things the way they’ve always been done. Creating a better future means thoughtfully reading up on and examining why things are the way they are - and then actively changing them when they don’t suit our current reality or future vision.
#GreetNeutrally prompts us to use language to move towards a more perfect equality in our world. Think over the many ways we often greet others, phrase certain things and so on - what are some other examples of unnecessarily gendered and/or divisive ways of expressing ourselves? It doesn’t have to be this way. Let’s start being more mindful of the impact our words can have on others.