If you concede your powerlessness, why would you issue them in the first place? I’m reminded of signage in workplace kitchens, requesting that people wipe benches and ensure dishes aren’t left in the sink - a conscientious worker will follow it in nearly all cases (either by accident or deliberation), but it’s pointless when in front of a careless worker.
I’m trans, and my perspective is that pronouns are a useful social signal. I prefer to let people call me whatever they want because the word they choose reveals how they see me, but I still have my pronouns in my email signature because some people are kind enough to put other people’s feelings before their own assumptions and would have to ask for it if the info weren’t available.
It’s not a matter of power, it’s a matter of social friction and the concessions we all make so that we can work together smoothly.
If you concede your powerlessness, why would you issue them in the first place? I’m reminded of signage in workplace kitchens, requesting that people wipe benches and ensure dishes aren’t left in the sink - a conscientious worker will follow it in nearly all cases (either by accident or deliberation), but it’s pointless when in front of a careless worker.
I’m trans, and my perspective is that pronouns are a useful social signal. I prefer to let people call me whatever they want because the word they choose reveals how they see me, but I still have my pronouns in my email signature because some people are kind enough to put other people’s feelings before their own assumptions and would have to ask for it if the info weren’t available.
It’s not a matter of power, it’s a matter of social friction and the concessions we all make so that we can work together smoothly.