Copyediting Is Political

A copyediting question arose when the US president renamed the body of water between Florida and Mexico, the gulf that also borders Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. The US government, whose style guide I don’t follow, calls it the Gulf of America. AP style retains Gulf of Mexico, while Chicago and APA have not yet weighed in.

The way we use words matters. I have often replaced “he” or “she” with a singular “they” or removed “woman” when it preceded “doctor” or “coder.” As I did, I thought I was adapting to changes in our language. I now realize that I was making a political choice. Other people might argue that I was erasing the contributions of men or, equally, of women.

As I have noted elsewhere, I am currently challenging my instinct to be a rule follower. I am trying to make copyediting decisions with more attention to the reasons behind my choices. I am also striving to understand and respect why my colleagues make different choices, even when I disagree with them. Colleagues listen to one another, understand each other’s perspectives and stories, and maintain respect even in disagreement, ultimately, I hope, learning to coexist.