It's time to drop the pronouns

Over the last few years, a concerning trend emerged that has become more common and accepted. For some strange reason, people started putting pronouns after their name in email auto signatures, as well as on their LinkedIn profile and business cards.

I remember when I first saw someone’s name followed by pronouns, I was baffled. Initially, I didn’t know why people all of a sudden started doing this. It didn’t take me long to figure out that this activity was directly related to the woke nonsense that was permeating throughout the United States and associated with people who are either transgender or identify as a gender other than what God assigned them at birth.

Just to see if anything had changed since I was first exposed to the pronoun trend, I asked ChatGPT why people put pronouns after their name. Its answer was, “People put pronouns after their name (like “she/her,” “he/him,” or “they/them”) mainly to share how they’d like others to refer to them. It’s about respect and clarity, especially in environments where you might not want to assume someone’s gender based on their name or appearance.”

ChatGPT also stated that someone may put pronouns after their name “because It helps others use the correct pronouns, especially if someone's name or appearance doesn’t clearly suggest their gender identity. When more people share their pronouns, it becomes easier and more comfortable for trans and nonbinary folks to share theirs too. It shows that the person cares about creating a respectful and welcoming space for all gender identities.”

To say that answer is scary and disturbing, would be an understatement. I have an official announcement to make. If you are a woman, I will refer to you as she. If you are a man, I will refer to you as he, regardless of what pronouns you put after your name or what gender you decided to identify as that day.

On a positive note, I read one of the most refreshing stories today about Karoline Leavitt, the current White House Press Secretary. This week, @trumpwarroom made the following announcement on X: “It is official White House policy to IGNORE reporters' emails with pronouns in the signature “I don’t respond to people who use pronouns in their signatures as it shows they ignore scientific realities and therefore ignore facts.” - @PressSec Karoline Leavitt

The sad reality is that unless common sense people like you and I speak up about this, it will never change. You’ll continue to see people proactively state the gender they would like to be addressed as and this repulsive ideology will continue to poison the minds of people who don’t know enough about biology to denounce it.

As far as pronouns go, I know my view of it is controversial and may upset people. I just don’t think this trend is appropriate in business or anywhere else. It crosses the line and forces people to succumb to the pressure of doing what others think should be done. If anything, it makes it even more awkward for people who identify by how they were born and don’t want to participate and bow down to the woke pressure. It’s getting to the point where if I don’t put pronouns after my name, people may get offended. It’s becoming a bit much and thankfully, the days of being socially influenced to add pronouns to your name are over.

Chris Thompson’s (christhompsnh@gmail.com) column is published weekly on grainteeaglepress.com and howiecarrshow.com.