State department defends Blinken memo urging staffers to avoid 'problematic' language like 'manpower'

The State Department defended a memo from Secretary of State Antony Blinken this month that urged staffers to steer clear of gendered language such as "mother" and "manpower."

"If you look at that memo, as I have done, it's a standard government practice to try to encourage people to just to be respectful of others, and use the terms with which others are comfortable, and talk to people the way that they would like to be addressed. And nothing more than that," State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said Tuesday during a press briefing.

Miller was reacting to reports of Blinken sending a memo titled "Modeling DEIA: Gender Identity Best Practices," that aimed to "increase understanding of gender identity and provide guidance on gender identity language and best practices that support an inclusive work environment."

"When speaking, avoid using phrases like ‘brave men and women on the front lines,’" Blinken's Feb. 5 cable, which was first obtained by the National Review, said. Instead, State staffers should "use more specific language such as ‘brave first responders,’ ‘brave soldiers,’ or ‘brave DS agents.’"

NIH GUIDE WARNS AGAINST DESCRIBING PRONOUNS AS ‘CHOSEN,’ PUSHES SLEW OF 40 DIFFERENT OPTIONS

Miller said that though the memo had Blinken's name on it, it did not necessarily come directly from the Secretary of State.

"When it comes to these types of cables, they all come out with the Secretary's signature on it. That's the standard department practice, has been for years. It doesn't mean that it's necessarily a memo from the secretary himself," he said.

The guidance runs through a list of gendered phrases and words that should be avoided, including: "manpower," "you guys," "ladies and gentlemen," "mother/father,"