I find that lately I’ve been referring to all people as ‘guys’. I used to feel a little silly using that word when also addressing females, but I just love how it gets my point across. To me, it’s a very casual, all-inclusive term. And when I use it, I’m most likely about to dish about something I really want people to know.

Except it’s not all-inclusive. I realized this after a 2018 article popped up in my news feed yesterday. Which, btw, thanks for spying on me, internet gods.

The article discussed how the term (used in that way) could be a hot-button for transgendered people.

I will be honest. My initial reaction was, “Oh come on! This is getting out of control! Forget it, I’m not stopping referring to anyone as ‘guys’!”

And then I checked myself.

Just like I don’t think it’s a big damn deal to change Aunt Jemima’s name, this is not really a big issue for me.

* Long side note:

Seriously, fellow white people, how does Aunt Jemima really affect your life?

When Sugar Smacks changed their name to Honey Smacks, do you think Teara and I stopped begging Lol for our morning bowl of high-fructose corn syrup? No.

When Boston Chicken changed it’s name to Boston Market, do you think me and Danielle gave a shit? No. We’d still get our Chicken Carver sandwiches, corn bread, and mashed potatoes w/gravy and sit in the back of the restaurant where no one could see us and tap every last drop of gravy into our mouths as we held the little styrofoam bowl high above our heads.

Are you really going to cry over your pancakes because Mrs. Butterworth’s bottle will no longer be in the shape of a black woman? Give me a break.

I digress.

So as I began to get over my initial, shock!, horror! and dismay! over the possibility of not addressing all people as “guys” anymore, I thought about other words I’ve been forced to remove from my vocabulary throughout the years.

One example is the word retarded.

Guys. Oops, I mean, y’all (y’all is a proposed alternative that I’ve always really loved but felt like a poser using since I’m a Long Island girl at heart. I’ve been in the South for so long that I’m giving myself a pass).

Y’all. You cannot say the R word anymore! This is from someone who grew up in the 80’s and used it all day, everyday, to insult my sister, cousins, and friends.

It was one of my favorite words because I couldn’t get in trouble for using it because it wasn’t a curse, but it perfectly conveyed when something or someone was stupid or didn’t make any sense.

HOWEVER, as a youngster, I didn’t think about the connotation and how it could hurt the feelings of someone who is mentally challenged or their loved ones.

It was difficult to stop using it at first because it was so engrained in my vocabulary, but I did it. Why? Because I feel like if it stops even one person from having their feelings hurt, it’s worth it.

And now, if I’m being totally honest, if you’re still using it freely, I can’t help but think you’re probably not very smart. In fact, 12-year-old me might even turn the word back around on you when you say it 😬

Back to ‘guys’. The transgendered community is just starting to turn the corner on being socially accepted 🎉 I’m choosing to be waiting there and welcoming them with open arms.

Y’all should too.