A culture of sameness is not a sign of real progress

TO THE EDITOR:

Since much ink has already been spilled over the gender-neutral language issue, I will spare you sarcasm and “slippery slope” talk of Orwellian “newspeak.” Let it suffice to say we’d all rather be called “he” or “she” than “it” and, compared with many other languages taught here, English is already quite neutral.

The real question about adopting gender-neutrality is if it will solve anything. It won’t. Just as using “gendered” language doesn’t necessarily make you a sexist, using neutral language doesn’t make you non-sexist (especially if you’re just being ordered to).

Proponents of gender-neutrality want to keep language inclusive for equality. But such language ignores diversity, preserving the paradigm that equality hinges on sameness — which breeds inequality in the first place. At worst, it is white-washing a vibrant painting so no one color can take dominance.

Our goal should instead be to enhance appreciation for our equality in spite of our differences, toward a world where someone can embrace their sexual identity without stereotyping and injustice — not a world where everyone is an “it.”

In the end, this debate distracts from more meaningful causes which aren’t hard to find. Gender-neutral language isn’t the demise of civilization, but rather trying to eliminate difference just won’t make a difference at all.

Benjamin F. Ossoff
Senior
History