Letters: Words we use affect our actions

Apparently the concept of gender-neutral/inclusive language is new to Cal Thomas (“Abolishing ‘man’ at Princeton,” Aug. 31). Of course he views it as just another annoying example of “political correctness” and a “secular world view.” But words matter; ask the women who waited 144 years to vote after the authors of the Declaration of Independence wrote “all men are created equal.”

Thomas and I came of age at about the same time, when classified ads appeared in separate “Help Wanted: Male” and “Help Wanted: Female” sections and it was clear that women need not bother to apply for jobs as “policemen” or “mailmen.”

But Thomas must have been comatose during the past several decades when universities everywhere and organizations such as The Associated Press promoted the use of inclusive language. They recognized that when the words “man” or “men” were used, many women reasonably felt excluded.

Thomas expresses a clear preference for traditional phrasing, including the hierarchical “man and wife” rather than the more egalitarian “husband and wife” or “spouses” or “partners.”

It’s time for Mr. Thomas to wake up and join the 21st century, where women are full members of society and some even work as “police officers” and “letter carriers.”

This story was originally published September 13, 2016 at 5:18 PM with the headline "Letters: Words we use affect our actions."