It was Fall 2014 when I was called up to his desk by my journalism teacher to view the correction(s) on my first reported draft. I can remember there being very few, if not the only red instances were my usage of the genderneutral “they” and “them” pronouns for third person placement holder parties. I happily explained that this was a more inclusive, futuristic (evergreen) approach for unnamed collective groups or an invisible entity, like a placeholder example scenario.
The use of he/her him/his in newspaper talk is outdated and harmful, and contributes to reader bias.
Of course, I received an explanation that this was the standard and how newsrooms operate, so I should get used to it (in his helpful demeanor, he alluded I could make the “correct” adjustments and get my points).
What did young journalist Jessika Cesilia Perez do? They took the points loss and submitted their work in with the genderneutral inclusive language to be printed and distributed in their high school and community.
Referring to subjects back solely by their last name is a recall of a long-lost (we have to be the ones to fully undo it) patriarchal system.
Let’s fast forward to 2024, Jessika Cesilia is managing a magazine and is given similar advice (to stick with he/him/his and she/her/hers for a stock photo which I did not know the models’ identities, only the roles the staged photoshoot was capturing. Modeled gender roles are as fascinating as they are inaccurate.) when turning in final copies.
The difference is, I see my effort in other reporters’ writings when they are published with the same inclusive writing. I can see the progress in updated terminology in established print and digital publications. It’s a movement. It’s the future I’ve been living in. Write your own history.
In a world where a percentage of subjects shut down when asked their pronoun preference thus any opportunity of a clear interview is gone, gender neutral language is a necessary cultural and writing tool.
Should I use he/him/his and she/her/hers to be taken professionally/seriously as a writer? If those are their shared pronouns, sure why not. But if you want to consider the state of the world, think ahead.
