Transgender Issues

It has been roughly 24 hours since I first saw the Vanity Fair cover that allowed Caitlyn Jenner to introduce herself to the world, I haven't stopped thinking about transgender issues, and I'm still thinking about it. Like, relentlessly.

So, I've decided to do some research, to educate myself on the statistics (which are horrifying), the people, and the issues they face so that I can help in any way. 

I'm not transgender. I am a cis woman, straight, white and non-disabled. Besides the whole gender thing, I have it alright in terms of oppression. But that does not mean that I cannot be a supporter.

I am a massive fan of Orange is the New Black and all it is doing for representaation for women, especially gay women or women of colour. And I'm sure you know what's coming next....

LAVERNE COX. 

Her recent Tumblr post made me think about the struggle transgender people face. Every single day. Not just in America or the UK, but everywhere. 

She is such an eloquent writer and such a fantastic advocate for the cause.
Again, like yesterday's post on Caitlyn Jenner, I cannot comment on Laverne's post, because she said it all. All I can say is that this issue will be added to my list of "Causes I Will Support For The Rest of Forever". It's a pretty big list; there's a lot of ignorance in the world and I get very angry, very quickly about things that should, like, not ever exist.

I came across this video when I was researching transgender issues/Laverne Cox.
It's very short (because it is a trailer) and I am looking forward to the full project. It will, no doubt, be a very informative documentary and it is highly anticipated.
There are so many things wrong with this issue. First and foremost, Cece should not have been arrested and the media's complete ignorance and pure evil for calling her "him" are truly, truly shocking. "It's 2015!" means nothing anymore, because the amount of time needed for discrimination of any kind to stop has clearly not surpassed us. We may have revolutionised so many spheres, within technology and medicine, but we have a long way to go until everyone can rest easy in their beds or leave their house without an OUNCE of fear that they will be greeted with any form of discrimination.

As Laverne said, "the struggle continues...", but hopefully, not for long.

Caitlyn Jenner

I have never seen a single episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians and I know little about the family and why, precisely, they're all so famous. But when I saw this picture today, my heart soared:

This is more than a magazine cover. 

To Caitlyn Jenner, this is a symbol of self-acceptance, courage and a future filled with happiness. 

I then watched the two hour Bruce Jenner interview (because that is what she was still calling herself during the filming) and cried for most of it. 

I don't really have any comments on the interview because I think it speaks for itself. It was really well done, Diane Sawyer asked very though-provoking questions and Bruce answered them with integrity, pride and a cracking sense of humour. I can definitely relate to the last bit to get myself through tough times. I love that someone so in the spotlight, someone going through what must be one of the toughest things a person can go through, and still smile, even if it is through tears.You could see the pain in Bruce's eyes when he spoke about his past, and the joy in her eyes when she spoke of her future. I am so glad that today is the day that the public gets the see the sparkling eyes of Caitlyn as she is accepted by her family, friends and rest of the world. 

I also hope the papparazzi and the media are respectful and back the fuuuuuuck off. 

If I could only pick one thing that I am going to take away and learn from watching the interview, it is that we need to call bullshit on the people who are making a joke out of this brave woman's identity and her overall journey to finally become who she is and be happy. We need to include women like Caitlyn, and be accepting of men like Bruce when they have the courage to come forward and ask for support. Social media can be a horrible place when internet is available to the ignorant, but it can also bring uplifting messages. I personally intend to make a difference wherever I can.

Let's actually think about this issue for a moment: could you imagine feeling like you were living a lie for 65 years? 65? Caitlyn is a hero, for all kinds of people living with a secret about their true identity, whether that be a transgender issue or not. I believe that the right to live as and who one pleases to be is the first and most important human right we can give ourselves and one another. Better late than never. 

Her courage is inspiring, her bravery is a wonder to see and I wish Caitlyn Jenner every happiness in the world. Everyone deserves a chance at truth, love and happiness, no matter how late in life that chance comes. 

Now that Caitlyn has officially and publicly identified herself as a woman, she has entered an arena that she benefited from as Bruce; good ol' patriarchy. And with that comes the good ol' stereotypes and good ol' ignorant people thinking their opinions are valid in any way, shape or form. She's got so much to overcome in her journey both as a woman AND a transgender woman. But I wish her the best of luck and promise to always call out people on their insensitive "jokes" or comments. She's part of the same movement I'm part of and I'll punch you in the genitalia if you think it's ok to make a mockery of her personal struggle (or anyone). Or if I see it on the internet, I will metaphorically punch you in the genitalia.  

Transgender people will always have my support.

She is so gorgeous! I hope that she finally feels comfortable in her own skin.

I saw a comment on the ABC website that said "There's more photoshopping in that one picture than Kim's entire Instagram account." and my first thought was: who honestly gives a flying fuck if it is photo-shopped? That is not the issue. If your first thought wasn't an open-minded one, along the lines of "I'm so glad she is happy" then you need to understand that you are lucky that you do not understand Caitlyn's struggle. That you are comfortable in the body you were born into. That you can leave the house as the EXACT person you want to be, without fear. Because that is something we all take for granted, myself included. Caitlyn's story is primarily about transgender, but it is also about self-acceptance. 

So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you to Caitlyn Jenner for sharing your beautiful story:

"Keep an open mind and an open heart"

Career

As an English Literature student (and an ex-media student), I've always had my heart set on a career that involves creativity, imagination and preferably a strict pjyama dress code. 

So editing or publishing have always been at the back of my head, or something involving me writing, such as screenplays or adaptations for film and TV. 

I was also one of those people who turned their nose up when old people asked me if I wanted to be a teacher because of the nature of my degree. "JUST BECAUSE I'M DOING 9K TO READ BOOKS DOES NOT MEAN I WANT TO THEN READ THEM TO YOUR SNOTTY CHILDREN," I would say in my head.

But, my boyfriend's flat mate at university is doing a Primary Education degree here and I'm starting to think that it is definitely for me! I love the idea that I can be that inspirational teacher children remember when they start university, or send their own children off to school for the first time. 

Maybe I'm romanticising it because there seems to be a shit load (official measurement now) of paperwork and planning and I feel like I'm more of an intuitive kind of person. They're all under the age of 10 at primary school, I really don't think that they'll know if I deviate from the lesson plan a bit. But whether I do or not, that lesson plan has to be done. 

In conclusion, growing up sucks and I don't know what I want to do when I'm a big girl :-(

Feminist Anthem

It's been a while, but no one reads this so that was a very irrelevant statement to start with...

After hearing her duet with Paramore in my favourite song Hate To See Your Heart Break, I've fallen in love with Joy Williams.

She was in the band Civil Wars, (which I am going to listen to relentlessly when I finish exams) and now she's going solo. She's sharing her journey on Instagram and Twitter and I am absolutely astounded at how down to earth and genuine she seems. She just looks like one of those people who give great hugs, great advice and has a huge heart.

Her first single from her debut solo album Venus (I'm guessing it's called Venus because that is the planet that all women are supposedly from) was called Oh Mama. And OOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHH MAMA its a good one.




Things I love about it:
- It's so catchy
- Its simple. Look up the lyrics. They're primal, basic and instinctive. And all very fucking true.
- Women finally have an anthem. A song that celebrates womanhood and Joy is definitely pining the way for spiritual, natural womanhood and I am so digging it right now.
- She looks hella hot in it. So beautiful. Naturally beautiful too. Not that if she was wearing a full face of make up that she wouldn't be, but I think she is is going for that pure look, that I AM A WOMAN FIRST AND FOREMOST, UNTOUCHED BY PATRIARCHY AND UNREALISTIC BEAUTY STANDARD SET BY THIS "SOCIETY" EVERYONE LOVES TO HIND BEHIND look, or something of the like.
- It's just honestly so refreshing to have this mother figure in music today. Ok, maybe that's because she is a mother and because she is 32 (which is totally old in the miz biz), but I think its because she seems really maternal, genuine and knowledgeable.
- In her video, she's naked but not sexualised. So it CAN be done!! Again, its a primal thing - she's in the fetal position - and she's stripped down and is, again, very pure.
- She's also very good at lip syncing which pleases me thoroughly as an ex-media student.
- It's very feministique.

"I am the universe wrapped in skin" - I want it tattooed on my face, it's my new life motto.

ALSO, THIS HAPPENED IN REAL LIFE:

New Word

So like, I've been thinking that there needs to be an adjective for something that has fabulous feminist qualities and I have come up with........... drum roll pls..........

FEMINISTIQUE

I think it's fab and we should all start using it in our everyday language. 

For example, I had my Twentieth Century American Literature exam today and there was a question about Sylvia Plath's poetry. There is always a quote to guide the question and this particular one was said by Ted Hughes (yeah, I know, the audacity!!!) . So, I spent an hour talking about claim to knowledge/biography/misreading female poets etc. The whole thing was very feministique. 

(I feel like its better than saying 'feministy' or 'with feminist undertones') (Please let me know if there is genuinely a word for it though) (But I'm going to rock this one for a bit)


I'VE ALSO LITERALLY JUST REALISED, LIKE HALF WAY THROUGH THIS POST, THAT THERE IS A WORD AND IT'S FEMINISTIC (????? I THINK ????) BUT FEMINISTIQUE IS THE SASSIER VERSION AND FEMINISTS ARE SASSY SO IMMA ROLL WITH IT x

"Reverse" Sexism

First of all, I would just like to say that "reverse" forms of oppression are BULLLLLLLSHIIIIIITTTTT. Oppression is prolonged, cruel and unjust treatment of ANY group of people. So you LITERALLY cannot reverse it. The reverse of oppression is freedom or something of the like.

Secondly, I saw on Facebook last night that a female had written a sexist status about men. It sparked 148 comments worth of debate and was a very intense thing to wake up to this morning, but I managed to scroll through before going to a lecture (on another male author, but that's an entirely different matter, which WILL be explained eventually).
Anyway, I just wanted to express my thoughts on "reversing" sexism or 'putting the shoe on the other foot' so it were.

A friend of mine agreed with the girl's status, saying that men had no reason to throw a tantrum about it because women have experienced more discrimination than them. And this is exactly what bothers me about some feminists*. I know that feminism is about the advocacy of women's rights to achieve gender equality but I am starting to realise that I associate myself with the latter half. Whilst it frustrates me that women are constantly discriminated against every day, all over the world, I DO have sympathy for men who experience sexism and gender-based stereotypes. I also CANNOT and WILL NOT condone 'giving them a taste of their own medicine' to strengthen my argument or the movement I am a part of.
EVERYONE has the right to feel offended to discriminatory comments, regardless of your gender/race/sexuality or whether you have a disability or not. I honestly cannot believe that some people think that just because men have been on the beneficial side of patriarchy for God knows how long, that that automatically means they cannot feel offended when a sexist comment is aimed at them.
That's like saying a white person cannot be offended by a racist comment that came from a black person, because of what our ancestors did. Or because people you don't even know or are related to (but are of the same gender/race etc. as us) systematically discriminated against a group of people in the past, you have no right to feel offended when someone discriminates you, whether its systematically or a one-off. I hope that putting into that perspective helps you understand my point. If not, carry on. I cannot tell anyone how to feel or behave, but I just want everyone to know that they have the right to stand up to someone if they do not agree with what they're saying and it should not be in fear of accusing them of 'reverse' forms of oppression which is a fallacy, in my opinion.

Oppression is oppression and instead of 'reversing' it, why don't we just work to obliterating it?


*(and I'm sure I'll get people telling me that I can't tell other feminists what to do so just want to clarify that that is NOT what I'm doing. I'm just defining myself as a feminist and expressing disagreement with others because it's a right that I intend to use for literally everything).

Language and Women

Cunt.

Did that make you wince? Was that the worst word I could have possibly used? Did I offend you?

Well, the fact that one of the 'most offensive' words is synonym for vagina is really offensive to me too. Who gave cunt the power it has today? Because if I screamed VAGINA at home, I'd probably get a few odd looks, but if I screamed CUNT at the top of my lungs, I'd be grounded for a week for "obscene language" or something of the sort.

Seriously though, I'll say it again, who gave it the power to make people wince? It's a word!

Why a female body part? Why can 'dick' be thrown around? Why does calling a girl a 'bitch' suggest she's bossy or rude and then calling a boy a 'bitch' suggests he is feminine and/or gay? Why are most of today's swear words derived from female body parts?

Same with pussy. Why is it the WORST THING EVAAAA(!!!!) to call a boy a pussy? How did it get to be a synonym of coward? Why were men who did not want to fight in either World Wars called cowards? Where is there courage in killing people for an unknown cause, especially in regards to the First World War (1914-1918)?

So, I was then thinking that, to MY OWN PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE (I don't want to offend and please correct me if I'm wrong), no white male has ever been labelled courageous for doing anything other than killing other people, presumably in battle.

The courageous people who fought for the rights of oppressed groups such as Emmeline Pankhurst and her three daughters, Martin Luther King etc only became courageous AFTER the battle was won.

At the time they were crazy, militant, violent, outspoken, enemies of the state. But after what they were fighting for was achieved, whether it was in their lifetime or not, we look back on history and pick them out as inspirational people, key figures, heroes to their causes. 

Why does their victory validate their influence?