Ill tell my kids all the time that just because you get older, doesn't mean you get smarter.
First off, I think the permission structure to criticize Trump may have been upended by Vivek's call for all the candidates to commit to pardoning Trump. Now these candidates who were playing around the edges of commenting on why they are better than Trump have to come down one way or another on what they think of his multiple indictments. I have a feeling we will see a lot of, "we will just have to see where the facts take us....".
Second, gender politics is important to millions, but you're right, it shouldn't be the focus. It shouldn't be the focus because it's factually a non-issue that conservatives have seized upon. You can't ignore it though because it can literally alter our culture and but entire communities in danger that often have to struggle to defend themselves anyway.
It is another in a long line of scare tactics conservatives have used to denigrate others. You can go all the way back to the conscious othering of Black folks from the 19th century onward, racist ideas about how they were different from white people. This is fully displaced around the fear of black men attacking white women, which is usually what led to the hundreds of lynchings. Add in the warped and inaccurate views many had towards immigrants (and many still do). Characterizations that show off one dimensional inaccuracy, always around "taking" what was perceived as "white" Americans property/jobs/rights/etc.
Starting the middle of last century we have the rise of LGBT rights as an issue, then all of a sudden gay folks are here to abuse your kids. Conservatives can't win a human rights debate on facts or don't want work that hard, and so instead will attack with irrational and false beliefs about the "danger" that group holds. As yourself which segment of the population is most unable to defend themselves.....kids. So, it becomes the ultimate scare tactic to say that our kids are in danger. Thats why we see drag queen story hours and CRT as the number one threats to America's kids. Ideas that are outside the norm, outside what they grew up with scare these folks. Instead of thinking critically about our changing society they seek to attack it and legislate it away.
Don't for a second think that conservatives who push these lies aren't good at what they do. The Republican party has been led for decades on fear and grievance. Afraid that what people have achieved (or been given) is going to be taken away by change. Thats why they are conservative, if they slow down change then things will stay how they want it for longer. They have no problem pivoting their views or focus.
Remember a few years back the wave of "bathroom bills" that would bar trans people from going into the bathroom they felt more identified with their gender identity? the backlash was real, and a few states suffered economically big time. That backlash was strong than would think because many conservative rank and file didn't care enough to go out and protest or vote on that issue. Conversative simply reframed the issue in a far more dangerous way with gender-affirming care and youth sports becoming the focus. Can you really believe that trans girls playing high school sports is the "women's issue of our time" according to Nikki Haley? Not pay inequity, or representation or domestic violence? but a few dozen trans girls in sports? And she got a standing ovation.
I realize that was a bit long, but I swear I'm almost done.
So ignore the conservatives on gender and trans issues at your own peril. The "easy" part for the liberals is to similar say "we love and support all our kids and want them to feel safe being who are". Its a message of love and hope. We can legislate around the edges of the issue, which in all fairness does need some rules set so everyone can be on the same page. Its already accepted medical practice and group norm to not normally perform any transition surgeries until trans kids are at least 18 if not 21. Maybe make that a law? or at least have medical associations come out with a simple recommendation? For trans kids in sports, i think you can't ignore parents, but you don't have to go down the rabbit hole with them. Seems like the Biden admin is already starting to work on some rules and recommendations, but last time i checked the white house doesn't govern youth sports.
As a parent the hatred and bigotry these conservatives show towards trans kids is mind-blowing and saddening. As any parent will (or should) tell you, raising kids is amazing, frustrating and life changing. You want the kids to be the best version of who they are, but at the same time let them know that no one is perfect and that you are there for them no matter what. How can you be a loving parent but at the same time espouse hatred for kids who are simply exploring what it means to be who they are. Ill tell my kids all the time that just because you get older, doesn't mean you get smarter. These people really are proof of that.
Ill tell my kids all the time that just because you get older, doesn't mean you get smarter.
First off, I think the permission structure to criticize Trump may have been upended by Vivek's call for all the candidates to commit to pardoning Trump. Now these candidates who were playing around the edges of commenting on why they are better than Trump have to come down one way or another on what they think of his multiple indictments. I have a feeling we will see a lot of, "we will just have to see where the facts take us....".
Second, gender politics is important to millions, but you're right, it shouldn't be the focus. It shouldn't be the focus because it's factually a non-issue that conservatives have seized upon. You can't ignore it though because it can literally alter our culture and but entire communities in danger that often have to struggle to defend themselves anyway.
It is another in a long line of scare tactics conservatives have used to denigrate others. You can go all the way back to the conscious othering of Black folks from the 19th century onward, racist ideas about how they were different from white people. This is fully displaced around the fear of black men attacking white women, which is usually what led to the hundreds of lynchings. Add in the warped and inaccurate views many had towards immigrants (and many still do). Characterizations that show off one dimensional inaccuracy, always around "taking" what was perceived as "white" Americans property/jobs/rights/etc.
Starting the middle of last century we have the rise of LGBT rights as an issue, then all of a sudden gay folks are here to abuse your kids. Conservatives can't win a human rights debate on facts or don't want work that hard, and so instead will attack with irrational and false beliefs about the "danger" that group holds. As yourself which segment of the population is most unable to defend themselves.....kids. So, it becomes the ultimate scare tactic to say that our kids are in danger. Thats why we see drag queen story hours and CRT as the number one threats to America's kids. Ideas that are outside the norm, outside what they grew up with scare these folks. Instead of thinking critically about our changing society they seek to attack it and legislate it away.
Don't for a second think that conservatives who push these lies aren't good at what they do. The Republican party has been led for decades on fear and grievance. Afraid that what people have achieved (or been given) is going to be taken away by change. Thats why they are conservative, if they slow down change then things will stay how they want it for longer. They have no problem pivoting their views or focus.
Remember a few years back the wave of "bathroom bills" that would bar trans people from going into the bathroom they felt more identified with their gender identity? the backlash was real, and a few states suffered economically big time. That backlash was strong than would think because many conservative rank and file didn't care enough to go out and protest or vote on that issue. Conversative simply reframed the issue in a far more dangerous way with gender-affirming care and youth sports becoming the focus. Can you really believe that trans girls playing high school sports is the "women's issue of our time" according to Nikki Haley? Not pay inequity, or representation or domestic violence? but a few dozen trans girls in sports? And she got a standing ovation.
I realize that was a bit long, but I swear I'm almost done.
So ignore the conservatives on gender and trans issues at your own peril. The "easy" part for the liberals is to similar say "we love and support all our kids and want them to feel safe being who are". Its a message of love and hope. We can legislate around the edges of the issue, which in all fairness does need some rules set so everyone can be on the same page. Its already accepted medical practice and group norm to not normally perform any transition surgeries until trans kids are at least 18 if not 21. Maybe make that a law? or at least have medical associations come out with a simple recommendation? For trans kids in sports, i think you can't ignore parents, but you don't have to go down the rabbit hole with them. Seems like the Biden admin is already starting to work on some rules and recommendations, but last time i checked the white house doesn't govern youth sports.
As a parent the hatred and bigotry these conservatives show towards trans kids is mind-blowing and saddening. As any parent will (or should) tell you, raising kids is amazing, frustrating and life changing. You want the kids to be the best version of who they are, but at the same time let them know that no one is perfect and that you are there for them no matter what. How can you be a loving parent but at the same time espouse hatred for kids who are simply exploring what it means to be who they are. Ill tell my kids all the time that just because you get older, doesn't mean you get smarter. These people really are proof of that.