Book and comic reviews, and more from Amy Walker, a trans, disabled writer and reviewer from the UK.
Sunday, 16 April 2017
Parent Protests Gender Neutral Pronouns Used By Brown University
A parent has expressed outrage over the acceptance letter they have received for their daughters application to Brown University in America. The reason for this, the use of gender neutral pronouns.
News of this matter surfaced after an article by James Freeman was published in the Wall Street Journal in which he ranted against the university. Freeman said that he received a letter from the parent of a newly accepted Brown student who was angry at the way their daughter was addressed.
The unnamed parent said that they received a letter from the university addressed to the 'parent/guardian' of the student. The letter welcomed the student to the university and commended them for 'their' contribution and hard work.
The article also reported that the university also left a voicemail message that used gender neutral language.
Whilst most people would be fine with the use of gender neutral language, or perhaps not even notice it, this parent has now refused to allow their daughter to attend Brown University, claiming that 'only left-wing extremists are welcome'.
Wall Street Journal writer James Freeman supported the parents stance and even went as far as to insult the Dean of Admissions at Brown, Logan Powell claiming that he's not 'familiar with pronouns.'
'We've read about the literacy crisis in the U.S. but would not have guessed that that the problem extends to Ivy League administrators.'
Brown University responded to this criticism by explaining that their admissions office 'typically refers to applicants by first name or by using they/their pronouns. While the grammatical construction may read as unfamiliar to some, it has been adopted by many newsrooms and other organisations as a gender-inclusive option.'
The parent of the student cited the use of gender neutral language as unnecessary as their daughter 'has always been clear what her biological gender and identity is - she's a woman.'
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Jesus Christ.
ReplyDeletei mean, that letter is probably pre written in they-their to appeal to anyone and reads better than he/she all the time
ReplyDelete