jenner

Before we attempt to tackle the topic the country’s been seemingly most talking about, let me repeat five recent, Intramuralist observations and encouragements:

1. Love deeply. Offer grace generously.
2. Show respect — in what you say and how you think.
3. We are selective in whom we offer mercy and grace.
4. Some people are harming all of society by silencing important debates, denying people the right to draw their own conclusions.
5. If you attack the messenger instead of wrestle with the message, you will change no one’s mind.

I remember being a little kid years ago watching perhaps the first Olympics I’d ever really remember. It helped me place Canada correctly on my mental map, and it made Nadia Comăneci and Sugar Ray Leonard household names. 

It was also the first time I had a grasp of the decathlon. I learned the iconic names of Jim Thorpe and Rafer Johnson. And I cheered on Bruce Jenner as he scored a record total number of points and was crowned the “World’s Greatest Athlete.” If he ran again today, I would still cheer Jenner on.

Not that I need to update anyone’s status, but this week “Vanity Fair” released their cover story of the man previously known as “Bruce.” As the magazine implores, now “call me Caitlyn.”

Friends, hear my heart… While the Intramuralist shies from no subject, I was less than certain if I wanted to address this issue. I’m not sure we can handle it well. It’s not that I wish to avoid it, but I’m not certain we’re committed to talking about sexual orientation respectfully.

Too many are unwilling to entertain any kind of disagreement. Too many believe that if a person feels differently than they do, the other person is ignorant, stupid, or judgmental. I think too many people on all supposed sides of these issues handle themselves poorly. Sorry. I’m not attempting to be harsh here; I’m attempting to wrestle honestly with the issue.

I’m uncomfortable seeing people lambaste Jenner. I’m uncomfortable seeing people lambaste those who lambaste Jenner. I’m uncomfortable with all who immediately look down on others because of opposing opinion. Such puffs each of us up too much.

I’m uncomfortable with the reported amount of self-harm activity or suicides of transgender youth. I’m uncomfortable with the reported number of persons who still struggle after transgender transition.

I’m uncomfortable when we say we are tolerant of all things, but then we won’t tolerate the person who disagrees with us; we then contradict ourselves.

I’m uncomfortable with the selective promotion of only one kind of life that matters. I’m uncomfortable with those who feel they have to play the convictor of truth in another person’s life. I’m uncomfortable with each of us creating our own truth. I’m uncomfortable with being dismissive of the concept that God created us male and female. I’m uncomfortable with being insensitive that many struggle with sexuality. I’m uncomfortable that we each struggle with different things, and yet time and time again, we are pretty terrible at dealing with another person’s struggle.

A few more…

I’m uncomfortable with the idea that Jenner’s a hero — save that for the one who lays down his life for another. I’m uncomfortable with dismissing Jenner as being mentally ill. I’m uncomfortable with the massive publicity the Kardashians etal. have long solicited and craved. I’m uncomfortable with Jenner being considered a beacon of morality after “keeping up with the Kardashians” for that long. I’m uncomfortable with the fleeting desire of finding worth in eternal youth or external beauty. I often wonder where our focus is…

Most of all, I suppose, I’m uncomfortable with the fact that too many of these conversations seem too hard to have… because we forget the five observations and encouragements listed above.

Respectfully…

AR