π Mondays with Morales: The Paris Olympics and the Fluid Truth of Gender
8/5/24: ποΈββοΈ Trans Athletes in Sports: A Complex Reality Beyond Black and White ποΈ Two-Spirit Wisdom: What Modern America Can Learn from Native Traditions
π Mondays with Morales: The Paris Olympics and the Fluid Truth of Gender
What's up, mi gente? It's your homie Morales here, coming at you with another dose of reality from the borderlands.
Welcome to another episode of "Mondays with Morales," where today we're diving into the turbulent waters of gender and identity, a topic that's got everyone from Supreme Court nominees to billionaires twisted up in knots. So grab your cafecito, settle in, and let's unpack this together.
What is a woman? Seems like a simple question, doesn't it? But as we've seen lately, the answer isn't as straightforward as some would have us believe. In fact, it's a question that's been stirring up more drama than a telenovela.
Cast your mind back to when Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was being grilled by the Senate. They hit her with what they thought was a gotcha question: "Can you define what a woman is?" Her response? "I'm not a biologist." Cue the conservative chorus of mockery and derision. They acted like the answer was as clear as the Sonoran sky on a summer day.
But hold up, mi gente. These same folks who were quick to laugh at Justice Jackson are now losing their minds over transgender women in sports. They're crying foul, claiming "men" are competing against "biological women." It's almost like they forgot their own certainty about what defines a woman.
Now, let's talk about what went down at the Summer Olympics. We had a boxer that right-wing pundits were quick to label a man. But here's the kicker - Algerian boxer Imane Khelif was born a woman, is not transgender and has lived her entire life as a woman, and has a vagina. She's always identified as a woman.
So, I ask you, what exactly makes a woman? Is it chromosomes? Hormones? Reproductive organs? Or is it something deeper, something tied to identity and lived experience?
As Justice Jackson wisely responded, she doesn't know because she's not a biologist. And now, hopefully, the whole world is learning about the non-binary nature of sex and gender. Though I won't hold my breath, given the continued hatred towards transgender folks we see day in and day out.
Take Elon Musk, for example. Here's a man who's got more money than Dios himself, yet he can't find it in his heart to accept and understand his own daughter. I'm talking about Vivian Jenna Wilson, formerly Xavier Musk, who at 18 made the brave decision to legally change her name and gender. Vivian stated she no longer wished to be related to her biological father "in any way, shape or form." Imagine that, mi gente. The richest man in the world, and he can't buy the wisdom to support his own flesh and blood.
But here's where it gets even more loco. This same Elon Musk, who can't accept his own daughter's identity, has no problem cozying up to Donald Trump and the whole MAGA circus. He's out there on Twitter - oh, excuse me, "X" now - spreading right-wing talking points faster than wildfire in the Catalinas. He's retweeting transphobic memes, backing politicians who want to erase trans existence, and generally acting like the poster boy for regressive thinking.
So let me get this straight - Musk can accept a man who tried to overthrow our democracy, but he can't accept his own daughter? He can embrace a political movement that's all about fear and division, but he can't embrace the child he raised? Make it make sense, porque yo no entiendo.
This isn't just about a family squabble; it's a microcosm of the larger struggle faced by trans youth everywhere. When even the child of a billionaire faces such rejection, what hope is there for trans kids in our barrios, in working-class families, in communities where resources are scarce?
Musk's attitude is a stark reminder that wealth doesn't equate to empathy, that being a "visionary" in tech doesn't mean you can envision a world where your own child is free to be herself.
But let's flip the script for a moment. Imagine if Musk had embraced Vivian's identity. Picture the powerful message that would send to other parents struggling to understand their trans kids. That's the kind of world-changing move that would be worth more than all the Teslas and SpaceX rockets combined. Instead, we're left with a painful example of how far we still have to go, even among those who claim to be forward-thinking.
It's a sad reflection of a society still grappling with these concepts, often choosing ignorance and hatred over love and acceptance. Musk's actions show us that it's easier for some to accept hate wrapped in a political slogan than to accept love in the form of their own child living authentically.
It's a twisted world, mi gente, where a man can launch rockets into space but can't launch himself past his own prejudices.
The issue of transgender women in sports is complex, no doubt. It's a conversation that needs to happen, but it needs to happen with nuance, with scientific understanding, and most importantly, with compassion. We need to approach this dialogue with hearts full of love, not hatred. We've seen enough of that Christian conservative vilification of the LGBTQ+ community to last several lifetimes.
But let's be real, mi familia. This isn't just about sports. This is about human dignity. This is about the right of every person to exist authentically, to be recognized for who they are, not what others perceive them to be. When we reduce people to their biology, we're doing a disservice not just to them, but to ourselves and our understanding of the rich tapestry of human existence.
Think about it. For centuries, women were defined by their ability to bear children. What about women who can't or choose not to have kids? Are they any less of a woman? Of course not. So why are we so quick to define transgender women by their biology?
And let's not forget, this conversation isn't happening in a vacuum. It's taking place against a backdrop of increasing anti-trans legislation across the country. From bathroom bills to sports bans, it seems like every day brings a new attack on the trans community. It's as if some folks won't be happy until they've legislated trans people out of existence.
But here's the thing, my friends. Trans people aren't going anywhere. They've always been here, part of the vibrant mosaic of human diversity. From the two-spirit people of indigenous cultures to the hijras of South Asia, gender diversity has been recognized and celebrated in cultures around the world for millennia.
Now, mi gente, let's take a moment to step back from this modern madness and look to the wisdom of our ancestors. Long before Elon Musk was tweeting transphobic memes or Justice Jackson was being grilled by senators, our Indigenous relatives understood something profound about gender that we seem to have forgotten.
I'm talking about the concept of "Two-Spirit" people in Native American cultures. You see, for many indigenous nations, gender wasn't a rigid binary but a beautiful spectrum. Two-Spirit individuals were seen as possessing both masculine and feminine spirits, and far from being ostracized, they were often revered.
In many tribes, Two-Spirit people were considered sacred, blessed with a special insight into both the male and female worlds. They were often spiritual leaders, healers, and visionaries. Their unique perspective was valued, not vilified. They were seen as whole, not broken; as gifted, not confused.
Take the Navajo nation, our neighbors to the north. They recognized four genders: feminine woman, masculine woman, feminine man, and masculine man. This wasn't some modern invention to be "woke" - this was ancient wisdom, understanding the complexity of human identity long before we had the scientific language to describe it.
Or consider the Lakota, who used the term "winkte" to describe male-bodied individuals who took on female roles and identities. Winktes were often sought out for their wisdom and spiritual guidance. They weren't tolerated - they were celebrated.
This sacred understanding of gender diversity wasn't limited to a few tribes. From the Zuni lhamana to the Ojibwe agokwa, from the Cheyenne he man eh to the Mohave alyha - across Turtle Island, our ancestors recognized and honored those who didn't fit neatly into the gender binary.
So when I hear people like Musk or these right-wing politicians acting like gender diversity is some new, dangerous idea, I have to laugh. There's nothing new about it, compadres. What's new is this rigid, European-imposed binary that can't see the beauty in diversity, that can't recognize the sacred in difference.
Imagine if we could reclaim some of that ancestral wisdom. Imagine if, instead of fear and hatred, we met gender diversity with respect and reverence. Imagine if we saw our trans and non-binary siblings not as threats to be legislated against, but as sacred beings with unique gifts to offer our communities.
That's the world I'm fighting for, mi gente. A world where we remember the lessons of our ancestors, where we honor the sacredness of all identities, where we celebrate the full spectrum of human experience. Because let me tell you, that world would be a hell of a lot more beautiful, more just, and more loving than the one Elon Musk and his MAGA friends are trying to create.
So when we talk about what makes a woman, or what makes a man for that matter, we need to recognize that we're dealing with concepts that go beyond simple biology. We're talking about identity, about self-conception, about the innate sense of who we are that each of us carries within us.
As we move forward, let's remember that behind every headline, every controversy, there are real people - our neighbors, friends, and family members. They deserve our respect, our understanding, and most importantly, our love. They deserve the right to live their truth without fear of discrimination or violence.
This is about more than just semantics or sports. This is about human rights. This is about creating a world where everyone can exist freely and authentically. A world where we celebrate our differences instead of using them as weapons to divide us.
So the next time someone asks you to define what a woman is, maybe take a page from Justice Jackson's book. Unless you're a biologist - and even then, recognize the complexity of the question - maybe the best answer is, "I don't know, but I know it's more complex than I once thought."
This is Morales, reminding you that in the end, we're all human. Our differences should be celebrated, not used as weapons to divide us. The world is changing, mi gente, and it's up to us to ensure it changes for the better.
Until next Monday, keep your hearts open, your minds ready to learn, and your voices raised in support of those who need it most. Paz y amor, Tucson. La lucha sigue.
Thank you for a marvelous post. With full attribution (of course), I would like to repost parts of this on other platforms. Please advise.
<< So let me get this straight - Musk can accept a man who tried to overthrow our democracy, but he can't accept his own daughter? >> Evidently not; Make America Gruesome Again logic for you!
Thanks Morales, this one flows like a silk skirt on a gaucho galloping across a hill at sunset