Dear Claremont Colleges Community,
Pomona closes doors, we don’t open them.
In a time of horrific warfare and growing threats, the Gays are making it seem like I misgendered Cecil. There are many ways to help heal a broken world, but that accusation is not one of them, although I understand why so many in our community feel called to action. English is different from Klingon (my first language)–pronouns matter here.
Whether Cecil is gay, or straight, or not one of those two genders, at no point have I taken sides.
I call on our community to treat me with care. For many years now, the only president on which students have focused their activity is me. This singling out raises grave concerns about my ability to send emails.
I understand why so many in our community feel called to action. From their differing vantage points, students have spoken out with deep grief that something must change. In recent days, I spent time listening to the Queer Resource Center. At least, I tried; students kept shouting about “pronouns” over my Ellen Degeneres show. Can you believe she’s gay?
I suggested alternative approaches to learning what pronouns are, including watching Ellen’s special Relatable (2018) with the Board of Trustees. I am saddened that instead of having a laugh, the Gays decided to get super mad about this dumb crap. They didn’t even ask MY pronouns. As your President, I now use mega/broken/heart.
Though I know our students do not intend this, they have reduced a complex moral issue to a series of yes or no questions. Weren’t you all just talking about how nonbinary this issue is? There couldn’t possibly be a set of one-sentence litmus tests for using the correct pronouns.
Times of conflict call for more engagement. We must be seeking to engage deeply with lowering the walls that actually separate us. Getting mad about misgendering Cecil cannot tackle difficult questions, like if I know he uses they/them. Obviously, I do.
Sincerely,
Gabi