The South is known for being polite, showing respect and only using real butter and sugar in recipes. However, if the University Office for Diversity and Inclusion has its way, the idea of saying "Yes, Ma’am" and "No, Sir" will be Gone with the Wind.
While most college freshman are returning to class with excitement about meeting new friends, starting new classes and the beginning of a new football season, one public university is starting this school year off by creating a whole new level of political correctness for its students & faculty.
I am a proud alumnae of the University of Tennessee system but this has me furious as the system just published a new letter under the University’s Office for Diversity & Inclusion titled Inclusive Practice: Pronoun Usage.
The letter, authored by Donna Braquet, Director of the Pride Center, instructs students to no longer "assume someone’s gender by their appearance, nor by what is listed on a roster or in student information systems."
The letter instructs Professors to not call roll, but rather to ask every student to provide their name and pronoun so that the teacher does not single out transgender or non-binary students. The letter also encourages meetings outside of the classroom to be held the same way.
The letter instructs a person when introducing themselves outside of the classroom to politely ask. “Oh, nice to meet you, [insert name]. What pronouns should I use?” saying that it is a "perfectly fine" question to ask.
An easy-to-read chart was provided urging the campus to use "ze" instead of "he" or "she" saying "these may sound a little funny at first, but only because they are new. The she and he pronouns would sound strange too if we had been taught ze when growing up."
Julie West, who has two students currently enrolled at UT Knoxville and is founder of Parents for Truth in Education told me, “This isn't about the acceptance of students. It's about a fundamental transformation of our lives through our language. Are we really going to become a society where we need to complete a questionnaire before simply saying hello to one another? If Tennessee's institutions of higher learning do not reflect the values and priorities of the citizens of the State of Tennessee, is it reasonable that the same institutions continue to make obtaining the tax dollars of those same citizens their priority?"
This is only the beginning I am afraid unless parents, alumni and the taxpayers of Tennessee stand up and demand the letter be taken off the University’s website. In spring of 2013, UT-Knoxville came under fire for plans to spend $18,195, including $11,145 of taxpayer dollars on a "Sex Week," which included events like "How many licks does it take?" and plans for a “golden condom scavenger hunt.” Luckily, in the end, thanks to public outcry and legislator inquiries, the Chancellor pulled all taxpayer funding from the event.
I hope the same sort of outcry happens again over this new policy because as we have seen on other campuses, the gender neutral policy will only progress into the elimination of gender specific bathrooms, living quarters, organization membership (i.e. the Greek system) and gasp, sports teams. Progressives today are like mold. It continues to grow and increases when resistance is stagnant until its entire focus is covered and lacking any of its original appearance.
To read the entire letter click here:
http://diversity.utk.edu/2015/08/pronouns/