March 4th 2024.
On the latest episode of the beloved game show Jeopardy, contestant Chris Pannulo participated in the "Tournament of Champions" and chose a $600 clue from the category "Speech! Parts of Speech!" The words Xem, Xyrs, and Xemself were displayed on the screen, and Pannulo correctly identified them as pronouns. Host Ken Jennings confirmed this, adding that they are specifically neopronouns.
However, this seemingly simple clue and response sparked outrage among conservative viewers, who took to social media to express their anger and even called for a boycott of the show. Their main issue seemed to be the fact that pronouns were being discussed and included in the English language, which they saw as promoting "mental illness." In reality, the use of inclusive language and neopronouns is nothing new and is becoming more prevalent in society.
The concept of pronouns has been constantly evolving since it was first introduced in the 1970s. According to the LGBTQIA Resource Center at UC Davis, pronouns are integral to our identity and sharing them is a way to avoid making assumptions based on appearances. By routinely sharing our own pronouns, we encourage others to do the same and show that we understand the importance of respecting and acknowledging one's identity.
In an interview with NPR in 2021, GLAAD communications officer Mary Emily O'Hara explained that using someone's correct pronouns is a way of showing respect and acceptance towards them. Pronouns are how we identify ourselves apart from our names, and using them correctly is a simple yet powerful way to affirm someone's identity. This is especially important for transgender and non-binary individuals who are facing discrimination and targeted by anti-trans laws and policies.
The issue that conservative viewers have with pronouns is not actually about the words themselves, but rather the idea of having to respect and include those who may be different from them. For them, using pronouns goes against their belief that there are only two sexes, a belief that is not entirely supported by science. In fact, Scientific American argued in 2015 that reducing sex to just male and female is too simplistic and does not account for the spectrum of genetic and biological characteristics.
According to a 2022 poll conducted by Pew Research, a majority of Republicans believe that society is going too far in protecting transgender and non-binary individuals, and only a minority see using correct pronouns as important. They are also more likely to believe that a person's gender is determined by the sex they were assigned at birth. The poll also notes that 70% of Republicans feel that views on gender identity are changing too quickly for their liking.
When asked why they hold these beliefs, many respondents cited their religious beliefs or the influence of media pushing an agenda. Some also expressed concerns about protecting children, a popular argument used by Republican leaders like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. One respondent stated, "People now believe that we should just ignore our birth identity and go along with what we think we are. But God made us all for a reason, and if He wanted us to choose our gender, then we wouldn't be born with specific male or female parts."
Another respondent blamed the media, saying, "News, social media, and entertainment companies are trying to change public opinion on this issue, and unfortunately, it seems like they have succeeded in many cases." And another echoed DeSantis' concerns about schools, saying, "This is being forced upon society, especially young children, causing even more confusion. It's not something that should be taught in schools."
In recent years, there has been a push for stricter restrictions on sex education in schools, with some states implementing laws to limit what can be taught in classrooms. This further fuels the divide between those who believe in respecting and including all individuals, regardless of their gender identity, and those who hold onto traditional beliefs and fear change.
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