Today I am trans-ideological. The Libertarian in me is disinterested in Caitlyn Jenner’s gender, Rachel Dolezal’s race, or Donald Trump’s profession. These are personal distractions from the great questions that face our nation. The status of Iran is far more concerning to me, and if an economic discussion starts I have to fight the urge to run to my bed and curl into the fetal position.
But the compassionate side of me is worried and that side cannot stop watching these stories. Dr. Paul McHugh of John’s Hopkins wrote a provocative piece for the Wall Street Journal on Bruce Jenner’s mental condition. Dr. McHugh contends that Jenner is mentally ill and actually experiences a deep hatred for his body-type that is similar to an anorexic. I don’t know if I do or do not agree with Dr. McHugh, but he raises an important question that we have a responsibility to discuss. Like the anorexic who continues to starve long after she has reached the cultural definition of thin, Jenner may not find long-term satisfaction as a woman. Will our society stand by and watch her deteriorate until she is ultimately dead of a tragic suicide or a stress-induced illness? Once that happens, do we blame society’s failure to accept her? Or do we finally admit that she failed to accept herself? Of course, this isn’t a conscious failure; it’s actually the very sad destruction of hope. If Bruce Jenner suffered from mental illness, Caitlyn Jenner will too. While she suffers, society applauds her courage and shouts down the bigots, all the while drowning out her cries for help.
It is impossible to talk about Caitlyn Jenner without mentioning Rachel Dolezal. She seems to be less stable than Caitlyn, but perhaps that is because society is beginning to accept the trans-gendered and has not yet accepted the trans-racial. Rachel grew up in a home that fostered four young Black boys. She saw their needs being met and, having been a child myself, I would guess that it may have seemed their needs were met above her own. Rachel’s problems are obviously complex. From the comfort of my armchair, I am stricken by the impact of such a childhood. As she sought to understand and probably even meet the needs of the Black community she was surrounded with, she would have been faced with her White privilege. Her parents may even have reminded her of it again and again as the home was disrupted by yet another foster child. Guilt and longing are powerful agents against the mind of a child.
The media surrounding these two remind me of Brittany Spears’ breakdown after her son was born. The press exploited her every move while Americans stood by and cast their opinions, but nobody jumped in to help. In the case of Caitlyn and Rachel, they are being exploited by the press and they are used as pawns for agenda. But they are people. If, in the name of acceptance, we refuse to consider that sometimes abnormal behavior is a cry for help, we fail to be compassionate and we become mere users.
Oh, and Donald Trump? He’s a nutty businessman who thinks he’s a politician and everyone can agree he needs help – from more than a hairdresser.