In a recent development, the U.S. State Department has taken a controversial step by issuing an internal memo urging staff to avoid using gendered language. The move, spearheaded by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, has sparked a heated debate on the role of language in diplomacy and the potential implications for U.S. foreign policy.
The memo, titled “Modeling DEIA: Gender Identity Best Practices,” aims to “increase understanding of gender identity and provide guidance on gender identity and expression.” It encourages State Department employees to use more inclusive language, such as “parent,” “child,” “spouse,” and “partner” instead of gendered terms like “mother,” “father,” “son,” and “daughter.”
Biden Secretary of State Antony Blinken definitely has his priorities straight as he warns staff against using "gendered language," including:
— "Manpower"
— "You guys"
— "Ladies and gentleman"
— "Mother/father"
— "Son/daughter"
— "Husband/wife" pic.twitter.com/FOnGATnf6K— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) February 23, 2024
Critics argue that this policy change is an unnecessary distraction from more pressing issues facing the State Department, such as international conflicts, human rights abuses, and global health crises. They claim that the U.S. government should focus on addressing these issues rather than policing language within its own ranks.
🇺🇸‼️🚨 Secretary of State Blinken had no real success for 3 years, now he found a really serious issue he can solve:
-> Blinken instructed State Department employees to refrain from using gendered terms such as “mother, “father” and “manpower” in a recent internal memo,… pic.twitter.com/Wbap47Vj2r
— Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) February 22, 2024
The debate over the use of gendered language in the State Department has also raised questions about the role of political correctness in U.S. foreign policy. Some argue that the U.S. should prioritize its own values and principles when engaging with other countries, while others believe that diplomacy requires a more nuanced approach that takes cultural differences into account.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how this policy change will impact the U.S. State Department’s operations and its relationships with other countries. The potential consequences of this decision could have far-reaching implications for the future of U.S. diplomacy and the role of language in international relations.
