Who are 'they'?

From our Motiv8ing Ideas Archive

When you visit the stunning Isle of Islay, off the west coast of Scotland, and choose to travel around the island by car, you will be greeted with a friendly wave by every driver you meet on the roads. When I first encountered this, I concluded that the other drivers must have mistaken me for someone else! Soon I realised this practice was a part of "Highland hospitality", and for the rest of the stay, it became a part of my driving habits too. Alas, I was soon disheartened by the lack of response when I continued the practice upon my return to the mainland!

To the people of Islay, visitors are never "strangers". Their instant greeting and inclusion in their community is a fine example for many other aspects of life.

Just consider how often we use (or think) the word "they", and what we often mean when we do! "They" is predominantly an exclusive word; it tends to create divisions and distance between people.

This month's challenge is to change as many "they"s in our vocabulary (and thoughts) into more inclusive words.
For example, it's not "they", it's "our management";
it's not "they", it's "our neighbours";
it's not "they", it's "our government";
it's not "they", it's "our teachers".

"Once you label me, you negate me"
Eric Allenbaugh