Luhlobo Lwenu; Your Kind

The other day I went to seek medical assistance in a certain hospital, since I had somewhat sustained a hip due to a nasty fall. Nonetheless, as I was ushered into the hospital corridors, the lovely gentleman said to me; wait here sir, you will follow right after this gentleman.  If only you had seen the grin on my face. He had referred to me as a sir; a connotation I always tell people to use.

Fast forward, I am inside the nurses’ chamber and she starts registering my name and other personal details. As a part of her questioning process, she highlighted a few questions which include; what is your name, when last did you have an HIV test and have you circumcised yet? Now the moment she got to the latter question, I myself paused for a minute. I responded to tell her that I had not seen it fitting that I do one yet. I mean after-all, I haven’t really transitioned.  I saw her face change, she shook her head for a minute and there-after said; ‘oh well I know your type of people, in-fact I consider myself an ally’. Now, I know she meant well but the way she relayed her message was not at all convivial. Her mere expression was utterly segregatory. If we are to uphold wholistic inclusivity, there should be no ‘kind’.

Segregation

Growing up I used to have my mother tell me to unpack fruits she had bought. Never did I partition or segregate them. I always used to put them in one container because I believed they were fruits, and as such they did not have to be placed in different containers. The mere concept of inclusivity entails that one is a human, and as such should not be placed in categories. The connotation of having a specific kind depicts a sense segregation of

sort. As outlined by Schelling (1969), segregation is in-fact an act of setting something or someone apart from other people or things or being set apart.

Inclusivity

Inclusivity is of-course a policy of including people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized. One should not be labelled a specific ‘kind’ just because of their sexuality or their mere gender expression. In as much as she identified herself as an ally, she didn’t wholistically encapsulate this ideal. Embracing inclusivity means that one acknowledges that an individual is a part of the society and as such should not be treated any differently, or referred to be as being different.

Solution

I always tell people to specifically ask individuals how they should be referred to; as to not cause any discomfort. I doubt asking an individual how they wish to be referred to has ever caused any uneasiness and discomposure to anyone. In-fact it merely shows understanding and appreciation of individual diversity. Let us respect honor and respect individuality. Let us embrace inclusivity wholistically. Let love win and remember that your body is your right.