Who said it was about offending or upsetting people? Can't it also be a hack to nudge people to think about how language can be more or less welcoming? Language doesn't have to be offensive in order to be exclusive.
As you point out, “guys” are but one example. As I also write, it is used and interpreted differently, in different contexts. In tech, it has for some, especially those who in a thousand small ways are reminded that they are in a minority, begotten the meaning of being gender normative. Reports of that are enough to make me reconsider it.
In terms of empathy, you state you are of that nature in the beginning. But you spend 5 paragraphs addressing how I'm in the wrong and that people who take issue with gender normative language should “get over themselves” (or “reduce how many times they are 'offended'"). Well, that suggests me that you haven't really considered or talked to underrepresented people about their experiences (just my presumption).
But to the core of your point: It's hard to negotiate language. You're completely right. And that's why, if you read me more closely, you'd see that I'm also hesitant to go that route. That being said, I think it should always be OK to question how language, privilege, and power relate to each other, and how we, in fact, can use it to achieve an "inclusive, safe, friendly, etc place for ALL team members".
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Thank you for your comment @robcapell !
Who said it was about offending or upsetting people? Can't it also be a hack to nudge people to think about how language can be more or less welcoming? Language doesn't have to be offensive in order to be exclusive.
As you point out, “guys” are but one example. As I also write, it is used and interpreted differently, in different contexts. In tech, it has for some, especially those who in a thousand small ways are reminded that they are in a minority, begotten the meaning of being gender normative. Reports of that are enough to make me reconsider it.
In terms of empathy, you state you are of that nature in the beginning. But you spend 5 paragraphs addressing how I'm in the wrong and that people who take issue with gender normative language should “get over themselves” (or “reduce how many times they are 'offended'"). Well, that suggests me that you haven't really considered or talked to underrepresented people about their experiences (just my presumption).
But to the core of your point: It's hard to negotiate language. You're completely right. And that's why, if you read me more closely, you'd see that I'm also hesitant to go that route. That being said, I think it should always be OK to question how language, privilege, and power relate to each other, and how we, in fact, can use it to achieve an "inclusive, safe, friendly, etc place for ALL team members".