Learning and teaching grammar can feel like taking bitter
medicine. Hatred and annoyance often accompany those who engage with English
grammar. When teaching Reported Speech in the classroom, changing "I"
to 'he/she' can be emotionally challenging. If there were a transgender (TG)
individual in the class, how would this question be addressed? Why is a binary
system so mandatory? Why are TG individuals forced to choose one of the binary
genders? Can't they simply be themselves as TG individuals? Will society accept
their non-binary gender? The answer to the latter is often a resounding 'no.'
Human beings are known for their sophisticated brains and
complex features, which set them apart as a superior race. This superiority
should come with the maturity to possess an inclusive attitude. As we grow and
become stronger and more sophisticated, we should extend a helping hand to
those less fortunate. Research has delved into how humanity treats nature and
its inhabitants. The ecosystem, comprised of flora and fauna, is often
exploited by the anthropocentric universe. Ecopoets and deep ecologists passionately
advocate for ecocentrism.
In Homo Sapiens, Yuval Noah Harari extensively discusses
the evolution of humanity from a post-modern perspective. Unlike other living
beings on Earth, human babies take a considerably longer time to develop the
strength to hold their heads upright and stand on their two feet. These
seemingly weak and meek creatures, well-nourished and nurtured in their pursuit
of self-love and self-centered goals, often forget their responsibilities
towards their fellow beings. The human hand's structure, with flexible fingers,
and the bipedal posture make humans physically flexible, complex, and superior
to their counterparts.
Feminism, which flourished during the early 20th century
but has deep historical roots, has paved the way for progress. While women were
marginalized for a significant period, there are still communities longing to
escape this 'othered' status. Studies in history and evolution often center
around male supremacy over women, humans over nature, whites over people of
color, and occidents over orientals, among other imbalances.
Even during school and college days, it still stings when
numbers or language inadvertently attribute gender. Boys assigned the roll
number 'nine' often shy away or remain silent when the teacher calls
attendance. Such 'otherness' has been assigned since childhood through various
signs. During college, the boy assigned roll number 'nine' rarely attended
class (thanks to the university regulations that did not consider attendance as
a parameter for assessing student performance).
In today's AI-dominated world, where students and
researchers seek assistance from AI resources, there has been little change in
the attitude of cisgender people. Seeking assistance from ChatGPT for a pronoun
for a TG individual reveals that a machine, created by a dominant class that
has often ignored such issues, provides responses that align with the
conventional binary gender system.
TG individuals once led graceful lives in India, enjoying
a privileged status and royal pleasures. They served as 'ladies' in waiting,
inherited properties, and lived respectfully. However, foreign invasions
changed the power dynamics. Supremacy based on color and gender marginalized
non-binary individuals and stripped them of their privileges. These
once-privileged individuals were left with two choices: leave the palaces and
resort to begging or undergo castration to fulfill the sexual needs of the new
rulers. This history underscores that non-conformity to binary gender and
compulsory heterosexuality were imposed by colonial powers.
In Sanskrit, there exist three gender divisions:
feminine, masculine, and Napumsaka (Sorry! The word is not found in the English
dictionary and is underlined in red). The struggles faced by these non-binary
groups call for a new language. The trauma they endure due to their
non-conformity with gender norms is not easily erased. An inclusive education
with a gender-neutral language could help set things right, but how long will
it take? Perhaps a century or more?
Saritha. K, Head, Department of English, Al Shifa College of Arts and Science. Kizhattoor, Perinthalmanna
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