Cisco: Walk a Mile in Their Shoes: Creating Awareness and Mutual Respect

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 21, 2023 / Cisco Systems Inc.

Foto: Accesswire

Words make Worlds. That's why I'm continuing this blog series to raise awareness about the power of Inclusive Language.

Having a sense of identity is critical to all of us. In sharing our identities with the world, we seek to feel seen and accepted. This is certainly the case for the LGBTQ+ community.

I'm joined by two colleagues in this conversation: Jennifer Rideout (Global Co-Lead, Pride Inclusive Community) and Abhinav Shikhar (APJC Co-Lead, Pride Inclusive Community). They share stories and thoughts about identity, acceptance, and the power of words.

Jennifer: "When people feel that their identity is threatened, it's human nature to react negatively.

Remember, for people for whom language has always been inclusive - notably heterosexual, cis-gendered people - the shift to non-gendered words can feel challenging at first.

For example, I know someone who attended a conference where, in conversation, someone asked about their spouse. This person was upset because they had a husband and were used to always being asked about their husband. Specifically, the word "spouse" was used.

To them, it felt as though their identity wasn't seen. It was eye opening to realize that this person - and others who have enjoyed the privilege of language that caters to their identity - could feel excluded. Now their identity wasn't the only one being acknowledged through words."

While the feeling of being excluded because of language may have been a unique experience for that person, it's unfortunately common for those in the LGBTQ+ community.

Suppose you grew up and lived in a society with language consistent with your identity. Now you're asked to change how to speak and incorporate inclusive language. You may feel newly excluded or threatened.

Jennifer: "Inclusive language is not intended to remove anyone's identity.

Instead, the point is to expand respect and inclusion from some people to everyone. In individual conversations, you can be more specific and talk about your wife, husband, girlfriend, boyfriend, or being single - whatever aligns with who you are.

Your identity out to the world does not change, and you are still part of the whole; with inclusive language, we, the LGBTQ+ community, are simply saying: "We want the same thing. We want language to include us, too."

Abhinav: "I've experienced and witnessed multiple situations where people make gender-based assumptions about a significant other. I encourage people to think about how those assumptions developed over time and to question what they assume before they speak.