The Pronoun That Matters

Pronouns have always frustrated me, but in the current climate even more so.  I have to ask and remember who wants to use he/him, she/her, and they/them.  Some days I can't remember names, so to try to also keep track of every individual's chosen pronouns is a struggle.  That said, I DO understand the reasons for one's choices and support everyone being comfortable in conversation.

Over the years, I always thought non-gender specific pronouns would be so much simpler.  It would be a statement of equality between sexes of all kinds that I would support.  Who cares if you are male, female, or LGBTQ+ if you are a kind person, shows up and do your job to the best of your ability, are a good neighbor or co-worker, and strive to create a better world.  I want you in my community, period. 

Yet for some reason they/them hasn't felt like the right choice to me.  I have found several times reading books I misunderstood if a person or multiple people were being referred to in a scene as the author shifted between all the different pronoun possibilities.  Wouldn't it be great to come up with a new vocabulary of non-gender pronouns that wouldn't come with a history or prior use. It would be a commitment to change without baggage.  I am still thinking on ideas for this, but nothing has felt just right yet. 

When I read Kamala Harris' book - 107 Days - several months ago, one line on this subject really popped for me.  I am going to paraphrase instead of quote exactly as it was a long thought.  She offered the truth that between they/them and you, the pronoun that truly mattered is WE....We the people. That lands solidly for me. No longer is it us and them, or me and you... it is we together. 

Humanity is diverse and filled with unique expressions and variations - from religious beliefs, to culture, to skin color, to heritage, to life experiences.  Each and everyone of us, every single human being, is a part of the greater WE - scientifically called Homo Sapiens.  We love, procreate, remember our history, create art, strive for a better life, like praise, avoid suffering.  We are so very alike, right down to our DNA and the blood that flows us. 

So why do some create artificial boundaries.  Why do some want to succeed at the expense of others, create wars, and fuel prejudice.  Honestly, I do not know nor do I understand that mentality.  All I can do is write words and ideas that offer another view.  That view today is wrapped up nicely in just three words. they are profound words and have the potential to create a shift in the broken world we see today.  

WE THE PEOPLE!