Thursday, March 28, 2024

Don’t Call Me Caitlyn Jenner.

June 17, 2015 by  
Filed under News, Opinion, Sports, Weekly Columns

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(ThyBlackMan.com) Upon first hearing the rumblings that Olympic Medalist Bruce Jenner would begin the transition of becoming a woman, I brushed it off as idle gossip and media foolery.  After all, the headlines graced the covers of tabloid magazines known more for their sensationalism than for their journalistic integrity, or for their accuracy.  As time passed, I begin to see photos of what appeared to be slight changes in the Olympian’s appearance.  Albeit a subtle beginning, the changes became more and more noticeable, when compared to images of the athlete’s seemingly former self.

As I became convinced that something was happening to and for White America’s Hero, I privately and by my lonesome, begin a silent question and answer period that left me with a plethora of questions and concerns, yet to only be met with a paucity of answers.  Bruce was not talking.  Once I laid eyes upon an image which displayed the all too familiar signs of early transition, I remember thinking that this story could actually be real!  There it was-the image of an average looking, older, effeminate, white person starkly juxtaposed with the tall, strong, athletic white man who once was welcomed into the homes of people across the world, covering the boxes of cereal enjoyed by millions while watching Saturday morning cartoons, or preparing for the work day.  He was what some thought, symbolized all things American; he was white, he was athletic, he was tall, he was handsome, he was an Olympic medalist, and he was heterosexual.  Based on the images that became more and more accessible to the public via the covers of the tabloids, I wondered if White America would feel betrayed by the man once considered a national hero.

I also began to wonder if Bruce would be ridiculed for his appearance as the transition process does little to nothing for a person’s stature.  After transitioning, she would still be six feet tall. She would still be embedded in the brains of Americans who remembered the upstretched arms that declared victory for a job well done in demonstrating herself (once a beloved himself) as the greatest. She would have still at one time been married to women and fathered children (leaving her open to the judgment and ridicule of those who felt she was being selfish) although conversely, she would still be admired by millions, she would still wield a certain amount of influence, she would still be white, and yes— she would still be rich.

As coverage of the story was now included in the conversations of serious journalists and credible news sources around the globe, I could not help but feel that this coming out or liberation of a fellow trans woman would have a somewhat negative effect on the fight for equality sought by the average Transgender female- specifically, thecaitlyn-jenner-olympics-petition-2015 poor, the black, and the brown.  As the speculation of how this would be handled, how the family would move forward, and how the former medalist would fit into the scheme of an already highly- rated reality show continued to take flight, I felt that this could only be bad for the women like myself whose stories are rarely, if ever told, and if so, are poorly received, are widely ridiculed, and are often rejected.  By being such the influential, white American figure, I felt that this story would be told from a very comfortable, safe, and acceptable perspective, devoid of the struggle, devoid of the poverty, devoid of the judgment, devoid of the discrimination, and devoid of the outright danger involved in the life of the average Transgender woman of color.

When I awoke to the inundation of praises, discussions, and compliments that referenced the photo on the cover of a renowned magazine, I was drawn not so much to her photo at first, but to the caption that declared, “Call Me Caitlyn“.  It was afterwards that my eyes clearly focused in on the image of a woman who for all intents and purposes, looked liked a dolled-up, airbrushed, version of a once-admired athlete.  While I was as happy for Caitlyn Jenner’s  liberation as I would be for that of any Trans woman walking in her truth,  I feared that the relentless coverage of a public figure’s private journey, would be the start of the media circus that would contribute to the on-going struggle of the Minority Trans woman’s fight to be heard, and fight to receive  equitable treatment.  Every comment, be it from fellow celebrities, reporters, TV hosts, or twitter users, seemed replete with compliments congratulating Caitlyn Jenner on how beautiful she looked.  While I find it important to encourage all Trans women to see the beauty in themselves, let me make it clear that my support of Caitlyn Jenner is no different.
 
My issue with the focus on her appearance is that being transfixed by the transformation of a rich, white, famous, influential male into a rich, white, famous, influential woman all but silences the voices of the poor Trans women of color who lack the financial resources  allowing them to slip away and quietly undergo the facial feminization surgery so easily obtained by Caitlyn Jenner.  The attention of the aesthetics also unfortunately plays a role in what I fear will be the subconscious comparison of Caitlyn Jenner’s new female face to that of the average Trans woman whose appearance may not be deemed what in the trans community is called “passable”.  It stands to reason that with Caitlyn Jenner’s money, her influence, and her celebrity connections, she has no excuse to appear anything but gorgeous.  I would also like to make mention of the level of frustration that I continue to feel as I read opinions on Caitlyn Jenner’s bravery.
 
While it stands to reason that bravery comes with the territory for any Trans woman who accepts her reality and walks in her truth, I dare suggest that money and celebrity tend to shield one from the ridicule, the discrimination, and the danger that comes with the territory of the average Transgender woman-particularly the Transgender woman of color.  The same bravery (more substantial in my opinion) that the Transgender woman of color displays in her daily life, leaves her open to ridicule, harassment, discrimination, public humiliation, unemployment, lack of health care coverage, familial abandonment, rejection, violence, and too often–death.
 
Ours is not a story of being able to call upon our celebrity connections and have our journey met with public celebration or the reward of a photo shoot as enjoyed by Caitlyn Jenner.  It can be however, the story of many girls who feel that their hands are tied and that they have no choice other than to turn to a life of crime, whether that be theft or employment as sex workers. Although I was fortunate to go relatively far in my education and not be involved in any illegal activities, there not very often exists the trappings of luxury or glamour afforded the likes of Caitlyn Jenner as she is celebrated for her courage and rewarded with the promise of her own reality show, ensuring that the rich get richer.
 
In closing, I would like to extend the same heartfelt congratulations to Caitlyn Jenner that I would extend to any Transgender woman who begins the journey to live in her truth and become the woman that she feels she is, intrinsically; however, when watching as Caitlyn Jenner takes to the stage at the ESPN Awards and receives what I feel is an unwarranted acknowledgement for courage or bravery, all while seizing the opportunity of a photo shoot with her fame-hungry reality TV show family (said to be joining her on stage), take a moment of silence for the real heroes who can’t hide behind the security of the Hollywood Hills as they are often killed for living in their truth.  In addition, don’t do us the dishonor of heralding a privileged, white, celebrity Transgender woman as an example of who we are and what we endure, and with all due respect to my sisters and to my struggle……….Don’t Call Me Caitlyn, my name is Erica!
 
Staff Writer; Erica Van Jackson
 
Also feel free to view more of this talented work over at; TBFB.

Comments

One Response to “Don’t Call Me Caitlyn Jenner.”
  1. L. Matthew D. says:

    I found this article to be a very thoughtful and powerful response to a important subject. All lives matter!

    Great Job! Erica!

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