Ignorance clouded me. The whole Caitlyn (formerly Bruce) Jenner story was just another train-wreck, ready for sensational “entertainment” TV. So I thought. What an awful reaction, in hindsight, but it was the ignorance talking. I needed a slap of genuine Kardashian-free reality.
At the ESPYs Wednesday night, it was..... weird. Here was the Olympian, a true U.S.A. hero of years past who was receiving an award for displaying courage? Ms. Jenner looked (and sounded) like a man in a costume. But then hearing “her” speak with comfort, candor and a sincere “It’s going to be OK…” attitude, along with the tearful pride from her mother, it hit me. I understood. Bruce Jenner was the one in the costume for 60-some years.
As a teacher of middle school teens, I witness identity problems on a constant basis. Kids don’t know who they want to be, how they should sound, dress, walk, etc. They desperately desire to be accepted by everyone – or anyone. I wrote about this very topic from the perspective of my main character, Anna Shields, in my novel, “180 Days.” (Get the double-meaning in her last name?) I don’t expect my students to know who they are yet and neither should they; sometimes it takes decades for even the smallest epiphany. But I push them to be proud of the journey. That was the message Ms. Jenner expressed – finding the power to accept people so they, too, can feel at peace with themselves. We all have that power but too many dismiss it. It’s much easier to mock, snicker, point and insult.
It took her more than six decades to take off the real costume and expose the true face – even if the manly voice prevailed – and that was why the courage award was so poignant. I got it. In a world where everyone is beaten down for things we cannot control, standing there in a long dress and heels, before a huge room of fellow athletes, she was the epitome of “better late than never.”
As a father of two boys – two amazing young boys ages 4 and 1 – the greatest joy I feel (and forgive the sappiness here) is their smile. Pure happiness on the faces of my sons – there is absolutely nothing like it. For the rest of their hopefully long lives, I want Ike and Abel to simply be good people – comfortable with who they are. Good, strong, inspiring, valuable and genuine people who, somehow, make this screwed-up planet a better place. I want them to appreciate the reflection in the mirror and be confident to share their voices with anyone willing to listen.
I’m saddened by my initial reactions to Ms. Jenner’s “courage award” and prejudgment that I did not understand why the transgender procedure needed such media attention. But if she wanted to convey a message Wednesday night, her voice was heard and the lesson learned. We can only hope others will not be deafened by the all the noisy ignorance that forms opinions much too soon.
At the ESPYs Wednesday night, it was..... weird. Here was the Olympian, a true U.S.A. hero of years past who was receiving an award for displaying courage? Ms. Jenner looked (and sounded) like a man in a costume. But then hearing “her” speak with comfort, candor and a sincere “It’s going to be OK…” attitude, along with the tearful pride from her mother, it hit me. I understood. Bruce Jenner was the one in the costume for 60-some years.
As a teacher of middle school teens, I witness identity problems on a constant basis. Kids don’t know who they want to be, how they should sound, dress, walk, etc. They desperately desire to be accepted by everyone – or anyone. I wrote about this very topic from the perspective of my main character, Anna Shields, in my novel, “180 Days.” (Get the double-meaning in her last name?) I don’t expect my students to know who they are yet and neither should they; sometimes it takes decades for even the smallest epiphany. But I push them to be proud of the journey. That was the message Ms. Jenner expressed – finding the power to accept people so they, too, can feel at peace with themselves. We all have that power but too many dismiss it. It’s much easier to mock, snicker, point and insult.
It took her more than six decades to take off the real costume and expose the true face – even if the manly voice prevailed – and that was why the courage award was so poignant. I got it. In a world where everyone is beaten down for things we cannot control, standing there in a long dress and heels, before a huge room of fellow athletes, she was the epitome of “better late than never.”
As a father of two boys – two amazing young boys ages 4 and 1 – the greatest joy I feel (and forgive the sappiness here) is their smile. Pure happiness on the faces of my sons – there is absolutely nothing like it. For the rest of their hopefully long lives, I want Ike and Abel to simply be good people – comfortable with who they are. Good, strong, inspiring, valuable and genuine people who, somehow, make this screwed-up planet a better place. I want them to appreciate the reflection in the mirror and be confident to share their voices with anyone willing to listen.
I’m saddened by my initial reactions to Ms. Jenner’s “courage award” and prejudgment that I did not understand why the transgender procedure needed such media attention. But if she wanted to convey a message Wednesday night, her voice was heard and the lesson learned. We can only hope others will not be deafened by the all the noisy ignorance that forms opinions much too soon.