There was a collegiate tradition of “pinning” one’s girl friend or giving her your fraternity pin in a show of affection and bonding. Quaint, charming even sweet to show the world who it was you really cared for. Enter political correctness.
Others, I’m sure, but we’ll use the example of Champlain College, which is issuing “Pronoun pins or buttons” indicating the term each individual would prefer to be identified and addressed as; he/him, she/her, they/them and some that don’t warrant mention. Don’t assume that this is the punch-line of a joke. This is the sad new campus reality at some American colleges.
People have been identified by their height, their gender, their profession or marital status. Some are remembered by the strength of their personality. I myself prefer that a certain element of the population not like me and ID me as the opposition.
During my college days my contemporaries would have been more likely to display buttons emblazoned with princess, genius or stud, even a peace sign or two. By sight we pretty much knew who each student was, nerd, jock, campus queen, truant. But, in today’s society we must all be identified, so I’ll don my American flag pin declaring myself an American.
he/him
Randy Edwards
Cave Creek
