Gag Rules

From The Inclusive Language Field Guide by Suzanne Wertheim:

"Our present day "let's keep things professional" or "let's stay neutral" is just an updated gag rule, automatically tabling the discussion of the very real systemic problems that permeate our world. Rather than claiming that it's important to stay neutral or professional in order to shut down efforts to be more inclusive, let's avoid masking language and instead have open discussions about bias and unfairness."

We already have discussions about bias and unfairness, all the time every day. The people in power just don't care about the disenfranchised. 

Today another coworker and I struck up conversation about one of my hobbies, leatherwork/sewing. He used she at first, apologized, said they, and continued. I am extremely grateful for the handful of people at work who are doing the bare minimum.

I've tried seeing it from the other standpoint, and I can see how change is scary, but that's the only constant. No wonder the powerful hate when we go a different direction. 

Just imagine I took a huge sigh. Gag Rules should be for kink, not for silencing the oppressed.