I am of the generation where you would say when addressing a crowd in public, “Ladies and Gentlemen.” To my ear and way of thinking, there is absolutely nothing disrespectful in this phrase. It offers an air of respect.

I hear that high school professionals live in fear of uttering the wrong pronoun to a student. And that the students become offended if not referred to as is their desire. This is not healthy. Perhaps we ought to give a boost to the dumbing down of society by referring to everyone, no matter what desired pronoun, as, Yo’!

“Yo,” as a sign of respect and concern for protecting one’s individuality of course.

Jimmy Burgoff

Belchertown

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