https://twitter.com/xychelsea
Chelsea's story is one of multiple layers of deep morality, injustice, honesty, and heroism; so much can be said about our society, in regards to what we are witnessing in her ongoing incarceration and mistreatment.
It has become far too common to see Chelsea Manning frequently vilified, misgendered, and worse, and, while we are currently seeing a massive amount of the same for Caitlyn Jenner, (including more trans-trolling from the subcultural cis-gay darling, John Waters), there is also unavoidable promotion of Caitlyn Jenner as the new number one American Transgender Hero.
We can see through the all the hype, and while all of the growing visibility hopefully means something positive, this iconic elevation is sometimes difficult to accept. While it is certain that Caitlyn is a brand new shiny trans social media darling, her world is that of many unique privileges, and the intoxicating inexperience of newly living and being publicly out as a trans woman.
While her coming out and media appearance has obviously raised trans visibility to unprecedented levels. Some say her apparent desire to help others, specifically- at risk, less privileged trans people, and speak out for all trans people is 'heroic'. Many others, especially more knowledgeable trans people, feel it is simply, and urgently, necessary - in her position.
Caitlyn Jenner is always going to be coming from a point of view that most of us simply can not really view as all that 'heroic'.
The list of awkward Caitlyn issues grew recently, when she was making that tired conservative argument of not 'getting hooked into the system, and then asking why they would be needing to work',
Meanwhile, her own children have inherited more wealth and fame than the hardest working people in most any industry, ever would. This obliviousness was remarkable, and it was almost worth watching, if even to see the looks on faces on the other trans women who were present.
Chelsea Manning, however, as a member of the military, took her oaths so seriously that she willingly risked her own life and freedom on her values and ability to expose what so many would like to remain hidden.
She has shown so much selflessness and even chose not to disclose being trans until after her trial, to keep focus on the criminal and immoral facts she was compelled to disclose publicly, for the benefit, certainly not to herself, but the country that she had signed up to protect.
We must stand up for every trans persons right to live authentically, and we can choose to elevate the stories of those who resonate with us, Chelsea Manning is absolutely a hero, and there is no doubt that she has made a major impact upon the world - not just for trans people, but everyone else too.
Meanwhile, the highly publicized media Jenner/Kardashian machine is showing that the expected burnout and backlash is apparent, her ratings are down, and it is still a possibility that she may yet decide to sink into Hollywood obscurity. (since she is not poor, homeless, or incarcerated, is actually privileged enough to choose such a path)
It is important that we choose our 'heroes',,, wisely.
*(The Guardian is providing Chelsea Manning a platform, and it is important to have these stories available. The site is, however still choosing to use the highly ridiculous deadnaming practice of the media = "formerly known as" )
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