(My whimsical meditations on the issue from an English teachers perspective!)
The
Gender – Sensitive Mother
Much
like the embracing mother who gathers all her children within her arms showing
no favouritism or regard, English gathers all of us into her bosom, allowing us
to be fed with fresh milk, whilst resting comfortably upon her aged chest. The
progression of a language both stable and evolving has made way for all to be included,
through gender-sensitivity and thoughtfulness.
The
completion of the world’s first, comprehensive English Bible hundreds of year
ago, threw the religious hierarchy into a chaotic stupor! Throwing open the way
for man and God to meet upon the common ground, called English. And once again
as the religious world clamours among itself, the world is embracing the
publication of its very own gender-sensitive Bible; allowing all to meet again upon His common ground.
And who better to provide the means of Divine unity - then our mother English!
As
a daughter whose voice has strained to be heard through the patriarchal gateways
of society, who have blocked out the light; mother English threw open the
windows and light shone in. Through the windows of gender accuracies and
sensitivity, we have moved from defeated victim
to overcoming survivor. She has at
once acknowledged her daughters leadership and rearranged the cabinet, allowing
us to move from “chairman” to “chairperson,” from enfranchised “sons” to the all inclusive “children” of God. She calls us “humankind” and not “mankind” she speaks to us as “people”
and does not address us as “men.” As
possessing “human authority,” seeing
us as gifted and not excluded, throwing out the menhir, making way for the
daughters of hers.
Oh
mother English has seen our woes and answered us with comforting words so! In
as much as she herself was created through diversity, through controversy and
pain; a child born to different parents, left to fend for itself, borrowing and
including, remodelling and refusing. She sought a path of purpose, a path of
voice; a path called inclusion for all her children and they reach out to her,
kiss her lips, rest upon her bosom and call her blessed.
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