Our Pronouns have always been “They” and “Them”
You may have noticed people sharing their pronouns in introductions, on name tags, and at the beginning of meetings: This allows everyone in the room to self-identify instead of assuming someone’s identity or which pronouns they use.
Pronouns are important because, by using a person’s pronouns correctly, other people are showing them respect and forming an inclusive environment.
It sounds like the world is moving forward towards a better, more mindful and inclusive environment. We seemed to have advanced in the respect we afford each other by using the pronouns people want. Why does this inclusive, wonderful world remain exclusionary for Black and Brown people? I am not referring to gender and individual, but racial identity and the pronouns still used to group us all as if we have no identity other than the colour of our skin.
How often do you hear the following:
“They” have always been like that!
If it weren’t for “Them,” crime statistics would be lower!
“They” mess up everything they touch!
Look at “Them,” “They” are worse than animals and don’t know how to behave.
There are many more, of course, but in a racialized world, Black and Brown people will always be collectively guilty, while white people are individualized.
Let’s use murder as an example. If the murderer is Black or Brown, you read comments from racists such as: “I said “They” were barbaric.” However, if the murderer is white, pronouns such as “he” or “she” are used, effectively and instantly removing the criminal and criminality from other white people.
Pronouns such as “They” and “Them” have always had racist connotations. For Black and Brown people, the choice to self-identify has not been an option when we have already been “baptized” as “bad,” problematic, or “stupid” from the day we are born.
If you think I am “living in the past,” and this no longer happens in the present day, I want to draw your attention to what happened a few days ago. Scott Adams, the creator of the comic strip Dilbert, proved that by grouping Black people and treating us as a collective. He said (and I paraphrase here) Black people are a hate group, and white people should “get the hell away from THEM.” There’s that pesky pronoun again!
You would think that white people have been enslaved by Black people when you see or hear comments like this.
It did not take long for white people in positions of power (newspaper moguls) to cancel the Dilbert cartoon strip and distance themselves from Scott Adams’s utterances. Note how efficiently and swiftly action was taken and, in doing so, ensuring he was treated and viewed as an individual.
What makes it so difficult for some white people to individualize Black and Brown people?
Because white people are in close proximity to racists within their family, friends and work colleagues, the pronouns “They” and “Them” are constantly used negatively. I don’t think it will change unless white people stand up and publicly reject racism and white supremacy etc. Black and Brown people will always be looked upon by the pronouns “They” and “Them.”
Unless a Black or Brown person specifically uses these pronouns to self-identify, afford us the respect by enquiring how we individually identify ourselves.
