By LIZBETH BETANCOURT
The many protests about discrimination and equal rights in the country this year have highlighted issues of injustice, calling on people to act and educate. In recent months in Redlands, some students have posted «nor/mal» on their Instagrams. This has been in response to students posting their pronouns, such as «she/her» or «they/them.» Nor/mal demonstrates a discrimination over those who are in the LGBTQ+ community, specifically the transgender community.
The following artwork shows what is and isn’t accepted to put in one’s biography when regarding pronouns. (MIA ARANDA/ La Plaza art)
In the Redlands community, many students are advocating for human rights and for everyone in the LGBTQ + community. On the other hand, some students have expressed that saying «nor / mal» is fine, specifically by putting this term in their Instagram biography. It is immature of these students to do so.
Students are speaking up to show how this is discriminating against transgender people by posting educational information. The goal is for others to learn that what they are saying is very disrespectful.
“I feel like it’s a very insensitive trend that Redlands kids are doing, especially during this time when we all need to be compassionate with each other and have conversations of loneliness and acceptance,” said Redlands High School sophomore Jazui Mejia.
Students want to see a safe community. It is necessary that we respect others so that we can create this a community for everyone.
This means that we should be united and accepting so that each person feels safe in their bodies and identities and how they use pronouns.
A growing movement of Gen Z wants to change the future, which is why many choose to educate and inform. If we learn to respect others and show love for each other in the community, we can understand how difficult it can be for people in the LGBTQ + community to feel accepted and safe.
Students who initially had «nor / mal» have been removing it. Hopefully, this is a sign that the effort at education is helping create more understanding, and that this will spread not only in our community but throughout the world.
Lea este artículo en español aquí: https://laplaza.press/2020/12/23/opinion-publicando-nor-mal-no-esta-bien/
La Plaza Press 
Beautifully written article! Thank you for sharing your opinion and bringing greater awareness to this issue!
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