Mary Kunz’ editorial in the Buffalo News was a pure gem. Her op-ed People, can’t we just leave it at that? discusses the tendency to over specify in language based on gender obsession.

In my opinion the best lines, which we can all appreciate, discuss the meaningless efforts toward gender neutrality and inclusiveness in Liturgy and Liturgical Music:

The “men and women” fad must have grown out of a gender obsession I first noticed as a kid in church. Hymns changed to, well, hers. In the folk Mass chestnut “Let There Be Peace on Earth,” for instance, “brothers all are we” became “we are family.” Like Sister Sledge.

The thought must be that if women aren’t specifically referred to, we feel marginalized, ignored. But I’m not that dumb. I know “brotherhood” can mean me, too. And that troops are women as well as men.

Say “men and women” in every breath, and I start to feel patronized. These words have a place, and it’s on restroom doors. Not in every other sentence.

Isn’t it time we ended this overstated equality?

Can’t we let people be people?