The United Nations is all about unity — hence the name. So they’ve got a message for countries all over this lugubrious globe: This could be a far less sad world if y’all would just stop erring on the side of sex-specific words.
On Monday, the organization tweeted a lesson for all you insensitive inciters of insidious sexism.
Look and learn:
“What you say matters. Help create a more equal world by using gender-neutral language if you’re unsure about someone’s gender or are referring to a group.”
Got that? When in doubt, leave toxic masculinity out.
The UN goes on:
“If you don’t know someone’s gender or when talking about a group, use gender-neutral language.”
If you were wishing for examples, man — I mean, person — are you in luck.
Here we go:
MankindHumankindChairmanChairCongressmanLegislatorBusinessmanRepresentativePolicemanPolice OfficerLandlordOwnerBoyfriend/GirlfriendPartnerSalesmanSalespersonManpowerWorkforceMaiden NameFamily NameFiremanFirefighterHusband/WifeSpouse
I have a few questions:
- How could “maiden name” be wrong?
- Doesn’t landlord apply to both sexes?
- If you don’t know of whom you’re speaking — for example, you don’t know if it’s “chairman” or “chairwoman,” meaning the person isn’t in front of you — who cares how you accurately or inaccurately refer to them? They’re not there.
- Who calls a businessman a representative? Those are two very different things.
- If I didn’t “know someone’s gender or when talking about a group,” would the above mouth-sounds actually create a more equal world?
- What is the point of the UN?
That last question might be the best one, and Twitter was sure to have thoughts.
Feast your eyes:
I remember when I used to respect this organisation.
We all make mistakes.
— ZUBY: (@ZubyMusic) May 18, 2020
Lmaooo. My reply has more likes than the original tweet.
Delete your organisation.
— ZUBY: (@ZubyMusic) May 18, 2020
The #coronavirus is ripping through countries killing hundreds of thousands of people and this is what this tone deaf incompetent organization is focussed on. Time to defund UN and this waste of space group UN women. They are doing precious little to help women around the world.
— Karlene Nation (@OneNationK) May 18, 2020
— Joe – Lord of Shropshire 🇬🇧 (@Major_zoidberg) May 18, 2020
Why do we keep wasting a single cent on this shit-hole waste of humanity infecting NYC for decades and over-run with dictatorships and human rights abusers?
— Tony Bruno (@TonyBrunoShow) May 18, 2020
UN are responsible for second genocide that is about to carry on in BIAFRA, United Nations and human rights are you telling the world that you are not seeing Terrorist groups trooping into BIAFRA while we are in Lockdown all over the world pic.twitter.com/doAMoQWYdW
— Henry Obi (@HenryObi042) May 18, 2020
Instead of United Nations say World Thought Police.
— Angela (@Angela60650391) May 18, 2020
Sarah raged against the machine:
I’m so happy to be one of MANKIND. It must stink to be the CHAIRMAN of this sad group. Maybe some CONGRESSMAN will do something about it. If a BUSINESSMAN did this he’d be out of a job. At least the POLICEMAN will protect me from this liberal bs…
— Sarah (@MissRosie2000) May 18, 2020
The Red-Headed Libertarian noted a contradiction:
— The Red-Headed Libertarian ™ (@TRHLofficial) May 18, 2020
Rorate Caeli made some corrections:
This can’t have been written by a native English speaker.
Landlord, for instance, is self-explanatory.
“Jim is my landlord.”
“Jim is my owner.” -What?
“Jim is the owner of my house.” -What?
“Jim is the owner of the house in which I live.” -Oh, he’s your landlord!— Rorate Caeli (@RorateCaeli) May 18, 2020
And some responded with visuals:
— Rita Panahi (@RitaPanahi) May 18, 2020
UN’s social media team. pic.twitter.com/53eHnbvnhp
— Mark Dice (@MarkDice) May 18, 2020
As you may have noticed, Mark Dice is a blue-checker.
And he wasn’t the only one:
Kick Venezuela off of the UN Human Rights Council, and then we can talk about politically correct nonsense. https://t.co/qcuAJsDH1V
— YAF (@yaf) May 18, 2020
Why do you get any of our tax money https://t.co/AvNCCg26wM
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) May 18, 2020
NBA says ‘owner’ is no good, sorry UN. Try ‘governor’ or ‘caretaker’ https://t.co/rDrHLPtLSw
— Seth Mandel (@SethAMandel) May 18, 2020
The @UN was formed “to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind.” Now that it’s taken care of that problem, it can move on to more important stuff, like reminding you to call your landlord your “owner.” https://t.co/fnQGcFspxX
— Jeff Jacoby (@Jeff_Jacoby) May 18, 2020
And Ben Shapiro was particularly in a mood:
Let me say this, right from the bottom of my heart: go f*** yourselves, you dictatorship-enabling bulls*** artists. https://t.co/DVfRrbKnSZ
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) May 18, 2020
Oh, well. I’ve decided to put their policies to use. I’m ascribing to the synonyms.
Gotta go — I have to get out of this chairman and help my owner with the new boat they bought from a successful representative — it’s a pontoon with 430 horseforce, and tomorrow’s its family voyage. At noon, we shove off — just like the UN and its goofy guide may want to.
-ALEX
See 3 more pieces from me:
Made in Germany: Hamburg Cafe Takes a Hilarious Approach to Social Distancing
Just as You Expected: Police Report a 50% Increase in Robberies Thanks to Everyone Wearing Masks
A South Carolina Restaurant Uses Blow-Up Dolls to Make Sure Customers Keep Their Distance
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