Women's IssuesClassmate in my feminist English literature class said she uses they/them pronouns

submitted by QueenOfTheNorthSuperLesbian from self.LGBDropTheT

The irony, oh god

For context, my English teacher is in her 50s, with from what I can gather radical feminist beliefs. There are mostly other girls in the class and we cover things mostly from a hugely feminist perspective. We're studying Taming of The Shrew, for reference, and a few other texts with obvious feminist discussion points. Every lesson we get into these wonderful debates about the expectations of womanhood and the constraints of sex roles, and what was expected of women throughout history and what is expected of women now, all through the scope of literature. Might sound a bit tedious lol but it's not through a gender lense at all and we've even discussed homosexuality, like how it was fine only for the person being active in ancient Greek times and not for the person taking the "woman's role" because only that was seen as gay. I digress.

Well, this class is clearly amazing and what's hilarious is that despite all of this, today a classmate of mine said she's non binary and wants every be to call her by they/them pronouns immediately after a discussion of how women who don't fit societal norms were classed as mentally ill and mad, relating to Jane Eyre. Announced it to the class. And my teacher just smiled and went "Ah, well that's disappointing, but good for you pet."

I hope she isn't reported or anything but I can't believe that even happened in real life. I'm worried there will be some kind of backlash...

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[–]fuckupaddamsBisexual Terve 33 insightful - 2 fun33 insightful - 1 fun34 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

Wtf your teacher rocks can she be my best friend. I fucking love older rad feminist women.

[–]OPPRESSED_REPTILIANIntersex male | GNC | Don't call me "a gay", "twink" or "queen" 23 insightful - 2 fun23 insightful - 1 fun24 insightful - 2 fun -  (1 child)

Contrary to what Twitter "activists" will tell you online, I've found that absolutely nothing comes from refusing to use "they/them" for a person in real life. Unless you're in the middle of some godawful San Francisco LGBT+ organization headquarters, then maybe.

But I've witnessed a couple of people mutter "u-um I am a they" under their breath before, and nobody went along with it. Shockingly, nobody was lynched, fired, or screamed at. It's almost if that even the "theys" themselves know that their "identity" doesn't hold up in reality.

[–]QueenOfTheNorthSuperLesbian[S] 23 insightful - 2 fun23 insightful - 1 fun24 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

Tbh, I just avoid speaking to her because I'd rather save myself the bother. Even though nothing bad will happen I just can't be bothered dealing with her, I find people like that so exhausting

[–]usehername 19 insightful - 3 fun19 insightful - 2 fun20 insightful - 3 fun -  (10 children)

Do you refer to her as such? There are a few "they"s at my university and I've never had to refer to them before, but if I needed to, I'd use the correct pronouns (he or she). I dread that day lol.

[–]QueenOfTheNorthSuperLesbian[S] 16 insightful - 2 fun16 insightful - 1 fun17 insightful - 2 fun -  (9 children)

I've gone out of my way to not refer to her at all, tbh. But when the time comes where I'm forced to I'll conceed :/

[–]haveanicedaytoo💗💜💙 26 insightful - 2 fun26 insightful - 1 fun27 insightful - 2 fun -  (7 children)

Yeah, that's what these derps don't understand. Most people just get so turned off by special pronouns that they'll just avoid talking about that person altogether.

[–]usehername 21 insightful - 1 fun21 insightful - 0 fun22 insightful - 1 fun -  (3 children)

Exactly. If "misgendering" becomes illegal in the U.S. (rip Canada), they're gonna have really a hard time being hired.

[–]haveanicedaytoo💗💜💙 20 insightful - 2 fun20 insightful - 1 fun21 insightful - 2 fun -  (2 children)

Yeah, I didn't even think about that. Even the wokest companies have to be thinking realistically. If I'm in HR, do I really want to hire someone who has the potential to bring a lawsuit just because another employee accidentally called her "her" instead of xhir? But it will also be illegal to discriminate against these fucks by not hiring them. It's mind-boggling.

[–]usehername 14 insightful - 1 fun14 insightful - 0 fun15 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

Yeah, this phenomenon is really something. Totally destructive to themselves and others.

[–]wafflegaffWoman. SuperBi. 7 insightful - 1 fun7 insightful - 0 fun8 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

this phenomenon

The same old trap, now with money and political power.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcissistic_personality_disorder

[–]GreykittymommaMagical lady 💜 6 insightful - 1 fun6 insightful - 0 fun7 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

As it should be. Don't give them the attention they need and maybe they will disappear. One can hope...

[–]wafflegaffWoman. SuperBi. 6 insightful - 1 fun6 insightful - 0 fun7 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Yup.

If you're gonna try, though, just keep using their name.

[–]fuckupaddamsBisexual Terve 5 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 0 fun6 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Why? It's not like you could be reported or fired.

[–]haveanicedaytoo💗💜💙 16 insightful - 3 fun16 insightful - 2 fun17 insightful - 3 fun -  (0 children)

I love your teacher! Hopefully they/them doesn't report her for hurting they/them's fee-fees.

[–]ArthnoldManacatsaman🇬🇧🌳🟦 12 insightful - 7 fun12 insightful - 6 fun13 insightful - 7 fun -  (0 children)

but good for you pet

I have an image in my head of Sarah Milican teaching English literature now...

[–]GoValidateYourselfuseful lesbian 14 insightful - 1 fun14 insightful - 0 fun15 insightful - 1 fun -  (4 children)

LMAO that's fucking awesome! How did the other classmates respond?

[–]QueenOfTheNorthSuperLesbian[S] 23 insightful - 1 fun23 insightful - 0 fun24 insightful - 1 fun -  (3 children)

They all actually seemed to agree - thank god. No one tried to pander to any gender bs. It was refreshing and gave me hope!

[–]wafflegaffWoman. SuperBi. 10 insightful - 1 fun10 insightful - 0 fun11 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

I'm watching a glorious, endless smackdown of TRA abuse happen on a FB group right now (which had, originally, nothing to do with trans people, surprise surprise) whose moderators are TRA-brainwashed and went to make another group. The arguments against TRA bullshit on the original group are quite articulate and cogent and just Not Having It™. Of course, that's all the group is anymore, but it's heartening to see people stop being cowed by the bullying.

It's being brigaded of course, but the majority opinion is clearly on the side of "enough already."

[–]GoValidateYourselfuseful lesbian 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

Well that is reassuring! Maybe young millennials/gen z are starting to wake up.

[–]usehername 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

The majority of Gen Z just goes along with it because they're scared shitless of sounding like a bigoted Boomer, not because they really believe it. Usually they haven't thought critically about it.

[–]Seahorse 10 insightful - 1 fun10 insightful - 0 fun11 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Omg your teacher is amazing!

[–]wafflegaffWoman. SuperBi. 7 insightful - 1 fun7 insightful - 0 fun8 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Just heard a similar announcement from a woman who dated a trans woman for a while (who was too narcissistic to keep dating, as it were). And I just thought—you got some of that on you, here's a towel, you're a woman and you are just fine the way you are. Please stay on Reality Planet.

Sigh.

Of course, I didn't say any of that. I was just silently disappointed instead, and now feel sorry for her. Them. FFS.

[–]GreykittymommaMagical lady 💜 6 insightful - 2 fun6 insightful - 1 fun7 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

Fucking 💀 as I believe the kiddos say these days. That is pure gold. I mean... the fucking nerve of these gender traitors.

[–]SapphicFox 4 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 0 fun5 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Your teacher sounds awesome lol.