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Politics • Recent News

Dey/Dem: A Black Exclusive Pronoun

2 weeks ago

“This User uses Dey/Dem Pronouns.” Neo-pronouns are often a topic of contention and contempt. For those still getting the hang of — or refusing to get the hang of — they/them/theirs, neo-pronouns like Xe and Zir probably elicit deep-seated negative emotional reactions. In the colonial world that has fallen on us, there are two genders and there are two sets of pronouns. The masculine (he/him/él) and the feminine (she, hers, ella, elle). In many of our Indigenous worldviews, there are multitudinous ways of being. For Black people, many if not all of our Indigenous languages have one pronoun used for all. So when it comes to gender-neutral pronouns, we not new to this, we true to it. Dey/ Dem /Dey is a pronoun set that really began to be discussed as a Black-exclusive pronoun as early as 2021. It follows the sound system that many of the diaspora can relate to. The “th” sound is not a common feature in many West and Central African languages so it did not carry over into many manifestations of Black speech either during the slave trade and/or colonization. A common sound shift, the “th” sound becomes the “d” sound at the beginning of the word. They becomes Dey. In Ebonics, Dey is the most commonly used gender-neutral pronoun. So it is not really a “Neo”-pronoun but tradition being carried over. It also has versatility and can be used in other diasporic languages like Nigerian Pidgin and Patwa. There is a significant lack of English-language scholarship on Niger-Congo languages and the African Pidgin Language Family. The small amount of scholarship and web-based conversation confirms that our languages are typically gender-neutral and not sex-based. The Western sex/gender binary is a colonial imposition that has affected even our everyday language. So what makes Dey/Dem pronouns special? The last decade brought a lot of visibility to trans communities. Black trans communities are being affected in ways both good and bad by this. One of the good things is that we have been able to discuss among ourselves how we want one another to refer to us. Dey/Dem is just one of the plethora of ways that have emerged from these discussions. Black gender variant communities are often erased by cis-hetero narratives of Blackness and white/nonblack LGBT movements. If we are mentioned, we are tokenized (for example: Marsha P. Johnson). Dey/ Dem pronouns are one way we continue to create our own narratives, reestablish our autonomy, and stay connected to our cultures. Who USES Dey/Dem Pronouns and Who CAN use dem? For this section I interviewed two people who use Dey/Dem pronouns and ran a poll with the same questions for others to participate as well. A small selection of people (15) answered. Here are the eight questions asked: What is your name (letter for anonymity) What are your pronouns Do you use dey/dem pronouns Why do you use dey/dem pronouns When did you start using them? What do you believe is the future for Black exclusive neo pronouns Who can use dey/dem pronouns Interview with Moco (@Rootinnajumieka on IG) What is your name (letter for anonymity)? Moco: I go by many names depending on who I’m talking to. {My names are} Moco, Ndummiri, Odogwu, Kwadwo. What is your ethnicity or cultural background? Moco: Jamaican, & I guess you can say my “clan” is Jamaican-Panamanian. Do you use Dey/Dem pronouns? Moco: I use Dey/Dem as well as any & all diasporic gender-neutral pronouns When did you start using dem? Moco: I started using dem, in 2020. It felt so euphoric cuz I feel this sense of relief that now ppl cannot gender me without my permission. Why do you use Dey/Dem pronouns? Moco: I use dey/dem bc it’s how most black ppl talk anyhow. No matter where they are in the diaspora, that’s what they’ll say anyway. Especially since gendered pronouns are not even a thing in our languages, so literally they won’t be changing anything about their speech Who can use Dey/Dem/Dey Pronouns? Moco: Niggas. Black folk globally drop the th & add d. Plus black trans folk have started to type it out this way. It is ours. Everyone else better mek sure their tongue & teeth join for that TH emphasis What do you believe is the future for Black Language and Gender Neutral Pronouns/ “neo” Pronouns? Moco: As much as colonialism has affected how we engage gender, all of our languages have already been gender neutral. For those unaware, I’d implore them to look into it & re-claim them. I honestly think “neo” (which mean new of course) was created by nonblack, particularly white trans ppl bc their languages are gendered asf so they had to literally make some new ones on a whim. Africans aint have to do that & as long as we cherish our languages & not adhere to European languages & speech, neutral pronouns not going no where Interview with E(@Fromtheethers on IG) What’s your name? E: {My name is } E Where you from / What’s your cultural background? E: [I’m] from Florida. My two major lineages of my family come from the Chesapeake and Lowcountry. What pronouns do you use? I use dey/dem. E, she, he, everythang. Literally everythang. When did you start using Dey/Dem pronouns? E: [ I started using dem in] 2020. I started being more curious about my gender. I still feel I am a woman but I don’t conform to linear forms of womanhood. *Chuckles small* I believe my Chi issa ole man, so to honor my whole self I use dey/dem pronouns to convey that. Who can use Dey/Dem pronouns? E: I say, Black people. That’s our speech patterns. I use it for all people because Ebonics/ African American speech patterns is constantly delegitimized. I believe Black people should use them only because most diasporic language already uses them. What do you believe is the future for Black Language and Gender Neutral Pronouns/ “neo” Pronouns? E: It’s pretty much a part of our language. I do believe in self-identification and that people should be able to create language to best describe themselves. Language should and can evolve but dey/dem is already a staple in Black language. Conclusion The poll received many of the same responses and is available for viewing here. Pronouns are a big discussion when it comes to transness. As Black people, we have been thrown into speaking colonial languages that never considered our whole being, but we still continue to practice what’s true to us moving forward. Language is just one part of that!

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Shut Up Fool Awards

Shut Up Fool 9.23.23 “One-Tenth of Gaslighting & Privilege”

2 days ago

by Libra

September 23rd kicks off the season where your friends and loved ones come in great use as they balance things out when around them. Yes readers, Libra season is upon us. Happy Birthday to all the scales, fall air signs, Venus centered, and overall one of the best types of human you’ll meet, greet, and cherish. If Toni Braxton ever sees this, Happy Birthday Muva! I must remind you that if ANYTHING please be sure you are registered to vote. Early voting has already begun for many places and this serves as a reminder that you should always make your own informed decision. As we fight for the betterment of those living in the US,TransGriot is here to keep you informed by calling out politicians on their foolery. Meet The Press has a new host, Kristen Welker and on her first interview she took on the multi “Shut Up Fool” recipient, “Orange a la Trump”. During that almost hour and a half exclusive interview, around the 46:40 mark, Welker runs back the question to 45, [sic] “When you say you needed one-tenth of a point..you needed one-tenth of a point, to win?” instantly while drowned in his own story he let slip the most important piece of his argument of the election was rigged and stolen from him. [sic] “Yea, if you divide it amongst the states (drawing a line in the air) it was 22,000 votes, something to that affect yea.” he then continues with, [sic] “If I would have had another 22,000 votes”.. and right there, he realizes he has fumbled the bag and immediately attempts damage control by defaulting to his MAGA branded slogans, “Look they rigged the election”. Kristen wrapped that segment up so quickly by asking, [sic] “I just want to be clear though, are you saying you needed those votes in order to win, are you acknowledging you didn’t win?” in which he stood true to his form and said, “I did win”. You can all say it with me… Shut Up Fool! Honorable Mentions: Mina Caputo Protesting “Transwomen are men” and if we shall call ourselves women we are “gaslighting” and in turn should embrace ourselves as the men we were born as isn’t a form of solidarity. Must you understand your words mean something and if you fail to give context you’ve failed the community in which you’ve expressively claimed in 2011 as you stated, [sic] “I no longer have this masculinity or this manhood to protect. This is a transformation I’ve been dreaming of my entire life”. Ryan Murphy, Tanase Popa & Ryan Murphy Productions a few notes… Unsafe work environment via inflammatory remarks by talent you’ve chosen. “Freedom of Speech”.. That speaks to the erasure of humans displayed. “After all you’ve done”? … you wouldn’t be as decorated of a producer if it were not for the stories of Black, Brown, LGB people and more specifically Transwomen. You owe more to them than you believe and your tone should be checked. Privilege by position, status, and color of skin shows that no one felt the empathy for Angelica therefore Angelica had to “Handle it” like Olivia Pope. White, gay, male privilege is dangerous when they feel they have given you an opportunity and in return feel entitled to you. These men can abuse you in manipulative ways while telling you you’re fine, all while being blind to the bullstuff that is in plain sight. Although Ryan may have reconciled this with an apology, or not, this behavior needs to be called out. I stand with you Angelica for right is right and wrong is wrong. To those who felt Angelica deserved this type of treatment, Shut Up Fools!

A bkackened box with four photos of this week's shut up fool recipients. Shut Up Fool is in yellow, red, and green lettering surrounded by a bubble.

Politics

Texas Grown Terror: Hate Groups from the Lone Star State Part 1

2 days ago

by Laura Reyna

Life is dangerous for many LGBTQ+ people in Texas. With the state legislature and school districts deliberately endangering the lives of trans kids, the Lone Star state is at war with its most vulnerable residents. Making it worse are the numerous hate groups spread across Texas. Dallas, Houston, and even Austin are heavy with domestic terrorists who seek violence against queer folks and anti-fascist activists. While there are dozens of these organizations in Texas, several in particular stand out above the rest. Each has a history of specifically targeting LGBTQ+ people for violence. Texas Nomads The Texas Nomads are a state branch of the Proud Boys organization. The Proud Boys, founded in 2016 on a national level, have a long history of violence against peaceful anti-fascist protesters and regularly show up to riot at otherwise non-violent events. The Proud Boys were a major part of Trump’s attempted coup on January 6th. One of their leaders, Enrique Tarrio, was sentenced to 22 years in prison for his role in organizing the insurrection. Another, Joe Biggs, received 17 years for his role. They are commonly cited as the militant front line fighters of the MAGA hate movement. The Texas Nomads were part of 2017’s Unite the Right white supremacy rally. In the wake of this, Austin activists applied pressure through direct action. Christopher Ritchie had his apartment tagged with graffiti. Dustin Casler and Colin Whites had their workplaces notified about their terrorist activity. These efforts helped drive the group underground in central Texas. However, the Texas Nomads continue to have an active presence within Austin’s police department and others. In 2020, several Austin police officers, such as Eric Miesse, Jonathan Herring, and Tomas Montez, were photographed standing in solidarity with the Proud Boys and Chris Ritchie. A former APD officer, Dennis Farris, even acts as a “go between” for the two groups. In addition to Austin, the Texas Nomads are active in Lago Vista, with preceding activity as far back as 2012-2013. Atomwaffen Brandon Russell, founder of Atomwaffen. Atomwaffen is regarded as extreme even by some on the alt-right. While founded in Florida in 2013, its leadership shifted to Texas in 2017 when John Cameron Denton of Montgomery and Conroe, TX, took over. In 2016 and 2018, Texas Atomwaffen targeted Austin-based queer artists and game developers with social media disinformation campaigns. Members used false accusations to try and turn uninvolved people against their targets. They tried to accuse their targets of being a danger to the public, provoking contrived moral panics. These efforts dragged in many unwitting organizations, including Ushicon, HavenCon, ChupacabraCon, Ikkicon, DriveThru RPG, and Pat’s Games, making them unintentional accomplices. Atomwaffen’s goal was to sow chaos and distrust, which was sadly effective. In a 2019 incident, an Atomwaffen member tried to get Austin Queer Bomb canceled by making a false bomb threat. In 2020, Atomwaffen began an operation to terrorize journalists across the country. They targeted queer and BIPOC reporters who were exposing far-right hate groups. These plans included real life harassment, fire bombings, and even murder. The idea being that threats to reporters’ families would silence them. Luckily, much of their leadership was arrested before they could carry out their plans. These arrests disrupted the organization’s central structure. While Atomwaffen was thrown into disarray, remnants of the group remain active in places such as Portland and Austin. Those behind the 2016 and 2018 operations remain active, for example. And as previously demonstrated, their skill at social media manipulation means we must be ever vigilant. Laura Reyna (They/She) is a queer neurodivergent Latinx finding their authentic self. They are sex positive, kink positive, and sex worker inclusive, and they long for the day when every aspect of colonialism, patriarchy, and fascism are dismantled.

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Sports

Why inclusion is not enough: the first trans cricket player sparks controversy

3 days ago

by Siufung Law

Contrary to the growing trend of banning trans women from elite women’s sports, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has delivered “great news” for trans people by granting Danielle McGahey, a trans woman cricketer, permission to compete in the women’s category. In August, ICC announced that Danielle has met the eligibility criteria and would be allowed to play in an official Twenty20 International tournament. This competition could potentially lead her to a spot in the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh. The Australian-born cricketer, who now represents Canada, moved to Canada in 2020 to undergo medical transition. To meet the eligibility requirements, she must fulfill rather rigorous conditions, including submitting monthly serum blood tests to ensure her testosterone level remains below 5 nmol/L consistently. Additionally, she must undergo continuous evaluation by her psychiatrists to confirm her gender identity. Her performance will be tracked through metrics such as how many runs she scored against which opponents. ICC also mandates that she provide “relevant and reliable evidence” detailing all her sex reassignment procedures for ongoing “monitoring” by an Expert Panel. Trans activists and communities have generally welcomed ICC’s decision to “maintain space” for trans women to compete. Danielle has also expressed her pride in participating as a trans athlete. However, this “inclusion” comes at a high cost. We find ourselves in a historical moment when we expect trans women to go above and beyond, often to an extreme degree, in order to prove that they are not “superior” to cisgender women. This is unfair treatment—unfair in the sense that no presumedly cisgender woman has to go through the same hurdles to validate her biological status and gender identity. And this discrimination is justified under the guise of maintaining “fairness” in women’s sports. Not too long ago, women athletes suspected of being men were subjected to humiliating “nude parades,” an early form of sex testing that forced women to strip down before a panel of so-called “experts” for inspection of their female anatomy. These policies have exposed (many cisgender) women of color to undue scrutiny, invasion of privacy, and surveillance. As technology advances, it becomes evident that multiple factors, such as chromosomes, gonads, and hormones, play a role in categorizing sex. Which factors, then, should be used to define sex? The history of sex testing within the International Olympic Committee (IOC) demonstrates that when inspecting female genitalia cannot rule out the possibility of someone’s “male” status, the rules change (similar to the changes from testing chromosomes to testosterone level to male puberty). However, when it becomes obvious that biological sex alone cannot completely eliminate unfairness between men and women (which it obviously cannot), anti-trans tropes turn to, paradoxically, cultural factors that may give trans women perceived “advantages” in women’s sports. They blame ICC for prioritizing inclusion over fairness, arguing that trans women possess cultural advantages by “reap[ing] the rewards of greater investment in their early cricketing career.” For instance, historically, men have had “more opportunities [to play cricket] both at school and recreationally, to learn, play, and hone their skills.” They have enjoyed more funding, better-equipped clubs, and more comprehensive training from dedicated coaches. What is right about this claim is that “fairness in sport is not solely down to physiology” but is influenced by a combination of cultural factors. Not all trans women had the same opportunities as Danielle did to play cricket from a young age, long before transitioning. Not all trans women have access to the same financial resources, training facilities, coaches, and skills and techniques to excel in the sport. These cultural factors affect women as much as men. The concept of “fairness,” as the anti-trans argument suggests, moves between certain biological and cultural factors. It is a term often used to justify the ban on trans athletes, and it is a constructed concept manipulated by supporters of transphobia to regulate the women’s category. Inclusion appears to be a mere tokenistic phrase that sports federations use to ensure trans women athletes never truly succeed. Inclusion is not enough when it means that only trans women and intersex players are singled out and subjected to unfair and inhumane treatment to prove their gender identity. In response to accusations from transphobic organizations that ICC is “asleep” in its inclusion policy, I hope council members awaken to their role in perpetuating transphobic violence. Siufung Law (they/them) comes from Hong Kong, is a TEDx speaker, a nonbinary professional bodybuilder, and Ph.D. student at Emory University. They are a trans activist actively promoting the transgender-only bodybuilding competition in Atlanta, GA, organized by the International Association of Trans Bodybuilders and Powerlifters (IATBP).