A pronoun as defined by Merriam-Webster is “a word (such as I, he, she, you, it, we, or they) that is used instead of a noun or noun phrase”. Although pronouns are used every day in the human language, they have become a topic of controversy despite being a necessary instance of basic English grammar. One’s pronouns are how someone feels comfortable being referred to. Whether it be she/her, he/him, they/them, or a form of neopronoun (a neologistic personal pronoun that is often used by those who lie completely off the gender-binary), everyone has and uses pronouns. 

For many in the LGBTQIA+ community, pronouns are incredibly important. For example, those who are non-binary will commonly use gender-neutral pronouns such as they/them, or may use a mix of pronouns such as he/they or she/they. For those who are trans and binary, pronouns are also often important, as simply addressing one as “she” in a sentence may help that person feel more comfortable with their own identity. For those who are cis-gender, the impact of using one’s pronouns may not be understood or even acknowledged; when in reality, they can make a world of a difference. 

Hunterdon Central is a fairly progressive school. That being said, there is always room to grow. Learning and being more inclusive of pronouns would be one small and simple step towards our school being more inclusive and becoming a safer space for those in the LGBTQIA+ community. One of the main issues that could be addressed is the general lack of knowledge of pronouns. According to the Pew Research Center, one in five American adults knows someone who goes by gender-neutral pronouns. For a percentage that high, it seems as though pronouns are something that most people should have a basic understanding of. Many people who reject pronouns are not inherently unaccepting but are instead ignorant. The use of gender-neutral pronouns is a daily occurrence. It truly is a very simple concept to grasp. When one doesn’t know the gender of a person they are talking about, the pronouns used are generally they/them. It is not improper grammar, nor is it distinctly indicative of multiple people. This brings us back to the idea of spreading knowledge. Simply taking some time, even a few minutes, to get a basic understanding of pronouns is one step closer to creating a more accepting atmosphere. 

 Education is the first step, however, it is also the bare minimum step. For this school to truly become a place where everyone feels safe and comfortable, action should be taken. That being said, this call for action does not imply an extensive change. For example, a teacher I had in the past simply sent out a google form to us, giving us the option of inputting our pronouns. Simple things like this are easy, accessible, and do make a difference. Even if people do not want to acknowledge the fact that they have pronouns, those who do can be allowed to feel comfortable however they want to be referred to as. Many reject the idea of asking people their pronouns because they believe it would over complicate things, but really, it is something that could be included on a “get to know you” form and could be put next to names on a seating chart. It is akin to asking someone what nickname they would want to use, or if they use a different name. 

It has come time to reduce the stigma around pronouns. Doing so at Hunterdon Central would pave the way for other high schools and people in the community alike to become more accepting and knowledgeable when it comes to the safety and comfortability of others. Any step is still a step forward, so take the time to educate yourself and to consider how such a small word can have such a large impact on the people around you.