Because I enjoy being fashionably late to pop culture parties…
Generally, I keep quiet about this sort of thing on my blog. Which is quite surprising if you know me… I don’t keep quiet.
But this Caitlyn Jenner issue just won’t seem to go away. Now, I use the word “issue” lightly, because I don’t think it’s an issue at all.
I’m tired of the ignorant memes. Of course no one has Jenner confused with a war hero. But heroes come in more forms than one; your Grandma, or Michael Jordan, or Lance Armstrong, or Hope Solo, or Ellen DeGeneres, or Arnold Schwarzenegger, or Tim Tebow (gasp?)…or Princess Leia? (you get the point?) Whoever?! We’ve been idolizing a variety of people…well, basically forever. Who gets to define the standards of heroics? A “hero” is defined as someone that is admired or idealized for courage; it’s a pretty broad definition folks. Jenner doesn’t have to be YOUR hero, but who are you to dictate the perceptions of someone else?
Worth noting: I don’t remember Tebow receiving a FRACTION of the criticism that Jenner has, but many considered him a “hero” for representing their interests to the public. Yes, he was ALSO heroic… he also isn’t a soldier either.
Jenner is courageous. In fact, the growing animosity towards her does nothing but confirm her bravery. If coming out were easy, if there were no hateful memes, if people were allowed to make such choices about their personal lives (choices, in fact, that harm nor affect anybody else) in peace, then, THEN, her actions would not have required courage. You don’t have to agree with somebody’s decision for it to be daring, nor does your disapproval change the definition.
Another thing that I don’t understand is the fracture between the LGBT+ community and the religious one. Oddly enough, I don’t really identify with either and yet, I find them both deeply fascinating. Why must they be at odds with one another? God is first and foremost about grace and love. I’m pretty sure that forgiveness ranks somewhere near the top of the list as well. Am I wrong? I’m also pretty sure that religion shuns personal judgement, rather than welcoming it. It’s perfectly fine if you think that Jenner’s life choices are ungodly, maybe you’re right. But your judgement is too. You can’t use religion to justify hatred, you just can’t. And yet, more people have died at the hands of religion than any other cause on earth, and somehow the fact that Jenner wants to wear a dress and love another woman is at the top of God’s list of concerns? I doubt it. (Crude oversimplification? Definitely. But you get me?)
It’s bizarre to me that a personal choice has erupted in so much acrimony. Jenner doesn’t wish to adhere to the traditional gender roles of our society, and she bought fake boobs. So what? I know plenty of religious people who have undergone “elective cosmetic surgery” (a term so many have thrown around in regards to Jenner) because they wish to change their God given form… and no one is in a tizzy about that? Also, the general public has generally become pretty accepting of females who like to “dress like men.” I truly just don’t see the logic. Also, the level of concern the religious public gives to appearance (especially of women) is another cause for concern.
The point is; Caitlyn Jenner’s choices didn’t infringe on the rights of anyone else. You are free to worship and practice your religion just as you did before, but making a personal decision that half of your country will shun you for, and going through with it anyway is courageous. Like, literally exemplifies the definition of the word.
I personally, am proud that we are becoming more accepting as a nation. I know that some people think that supporting Jenner proves some kind of societal depravity, but I just don’t understand that I guess. Supporting the idea that people can do, well, whatever they want to with their own lives is not going to be the downfall of America. That’s sort of our mantra after all. No one is asking you to sacrifice your beliefs, just for you to understand that not everybody shares them.
It’s what’s in your heart that matters, not your pants.
