Academia, Society

University of Tennessee Considers Adopting Gender Neutral Pronouns Like “Ze,” “Hir,” and “Xyr” To Avoid Discrimination

150px-UT_Volunteers_logo.svgWhile this may be just another “he said, she said” situation, a document released at the University of Tennessee suggests that it may be actually a “ze said, xe said” situation. Donna Braquet the director of the university’s Pride Center is asking faculty and students to drop using “he” and “she” in favor of using “correct pronouns” for particular students like ze, hir, zir, xe, xem and xyr to reflect a broader array of gender identifications. We recently discussed how the University of California has adopted six different gender categories for students. Braquet is now suggesting that faculty adopt the new array of pronouns (“dozens of gender-neutral pronouns”) and use whatever the student feels is appropriate.

donnaDonna Braquet is associate professor and biology librarian with University Libraries. In fairness to Braquet, she is trying to have a dialogue about how to respond to the growing adoption of different gender identifications and fulfilling her role in working to make the university a more accommodating place. In that sense, I am not sure it is accurate to say that this is university policy, at least not yet.

Braquet insists that this is part of “making our campus welcoming and inclusive for all.” However, this could add a considerable burden for faculty, particularly in large classes. Bracket suggests “[i]nstead of calling roll, ask everyone to provide their name and pronouns . . . [so that] you are not singling out transgender or non-binary students.” She suggests “You can always politely ask,” she wrote. “’Oh, nice to meet you (insert name). What pronouns should I use?’”

Braquet adds:

“We should not assume someone’s gender by their appearance, nor by what is listed on a roster or in student information systems . . . Transgender people and people who do not identify within the gender binary may use a different name than their legal name and pronouns of their gender identity, rather than the pronouns of the sex they were assigned at birth.”

She admits that this can seem odd but she says that that is simply because it is new. As an academic, this would be a pretty daunting task for keeping track of so many options. I have a class of around 130 students. More importantly, I am still behind the learning curve on what terms like “xyr” mean, though Braquet insists that this is just part of learning the new lingo for a new age.

What do you think?

111 thoughts on “University of Tennessee Considers Adopting Gender Neutral Pronouns Like “Ze,” “Hir,” and “Xyr” To Avoid Discrimination”

  4. Max, there seems to be so much ignorance when it comes to biological reasons for differences.

  5. A newer dystopian novel, “The Windup Girl” by Paulo Bacigalupi, when the elites and corporatists have taken over the world. Another thought provoking novel, “A Christian a Nation”, by Frederick C. Rich. The seeds have been planted, I wonder which dystopian future is most likely to come true.

  7. Yes, there are a number of books and movies that have described, even predicted, where human society and governments appeared to be heading, where they are at now, and where they obviously are continuing to go. It all seems mostly undesirable to nearly everyone. Yet, no one, or few, are trying to do anything to prevent what is going to be an even more horrendous future. I have to ask “Why?” Are there so many who are unaware of the loses of freedom, the mental pressures to conform to thinking patterns that enslave them, and allow the downright theft of their valuable time, energies and money? Or do so many people not care what is happening to them? Or not believe they can do anything to stop it? Or are they just too lazy to take any actions, even to simply discuss it among their friends to go out and tell the governments directly that all the governments are being run the wrong way, and what they want to see changed? Demand that all the wrongs be stopped? Changing pronouns isn’t going to fix what’s seriously wrong in the world, is it?

  9. Max, yes, Logan’s Run was great and who could forget, “it’s people!” from Soylent Green?

  10. Max, I love how this thread turned into yet another “bash those we don’t understand thread”. While I think creating new pronouns a bit silly, I do understand the desire to try to be inclusive. Sometimes I think some of the posters here are simply still waving sticks and beating chests like in some some chimpanzee troupe in the deepest darkest jungle.

  11. Annie,
    I liked Logan’s Run and Soylent Green back in my youth.
    However, The Matrix (1999) is also nearly spot on.

  13. Don’t forget about Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury and The Handmaid’s’ Tale by Margaret Atwood for dystopian novels that seem to be coming true in front of our eyes.

  14. Let’s just go back to the beginning. Everybody can be XX or XY. It’s fair, fact, and not dependent on “feelings” or PCBS.

  15. That doesn’t surprise me, Nick. But that would be a good reason for me to continue telling folks about those tremendous books in hopes that others will read them and pass along the messages. “Nineteen Eighty-Four” was even turned into a movie in 1984 (appropriately) and “Brave New World” came out as a movie in 1980, and again in 1998, so maybe there is still some hope for the latest generations who never read actual books but depend entirely upon electronics for their entertainment and social philosophies. Hopefully, those who have read those books, or even have seen the movies, will be inclined to talk about them to others, too.

  17. Lisa N,

    Pronouns are important. And here’s an example why…
    Let us say I insisted on calling you an IT, just because I felt you didn’t deserve to be called a pronoun you identified with. And, why you start to complain about it, I get other people to challenge your ability to be treated with dignity by calling you other pronouns other than a “SHE”. However, out of respect AND dignity, I’ll never do that to you.

    Hi Nick!

  19. forgotwhoiam

    We are all God’s children.
    We are made in His image.
    Including Mary, the Mother of Jesus.
    Jesus, the Son of God.

    Incestial, indeed!

  20. Tyger, They don’t teach Orwell, Shakespeare, Hemingway, etc. in public schools any longer.

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