š A few words
One thing that never fails to depress me deeply is the understanding that, probably for the rest of my life, we will continue to have to convince people that other people are, in fact, just people. Black people are just people. Gay people are just people. Immigrants are just people. Trans people are just people. Why is it so hard for some people to grasp? The hold that āotheringā has on White America especially, feels most days like a death grip.
As these fearful types of people enable their legislators to create deeply harmful laws to enact against these specific types of groups, as we watch civil and individual rights be rolled back, I think of how dismissively some folks treated those who mourned the resurgence of fascism with the election of Trump and his ilk. We were right but it is absolutely terrifying to be so. If you havenāt been paying attention, which honestlyāI get it (everything is still on fire, but you still have work on Monday), trans rights are 100% on next monthās ballot. To get a better sense of this, I highly recommend reviewing Last Week Tonightās latest episode.
As a parent, although it doesnāt matter to the issue at hand, knowing there are children out there who have supportive and caring parents but canāt get the health care (which includes mental health) they need in order to thrive, is so deeply devastating. I cannot imagine how I would respond to a health care provider if they stood between my child and her future because of their personal beliefs and not medical ones. Although that doesnāt seem to be the case so much as the lawmakers out there who have probably never interacted with (that they were aware of) a transperson. The Human Rights Campaign put together a congressional report card of how legislators vote when it comes to LGBTQIA+ issues, which I highly recommend checking out before you head to the polls.
So when you see me share things like āTrans rights are human rights,ā itās with a deep sadness and almost furious anger that once again I am asking people to recognize that people are people. I know Iām not alone, but Jesus Christ friends, itās dark out there.
š Recommended reading viewing
On a completely different note, Iāve been indulging in a lot of the 1-hour Netflix stand-up specials when Iām home alone. I usually watch a lot of darker stuff, and with Halloween on the horizon Iāve been treating myself to a lot of horror lately. So these comedy specials have been a fantastic equalizer in order to get me to think and laugh and relax. I watched one earlier this week that had me in tears, I swear I was crying IRL because I was laughing so hard. Sheng Wang reminds me, in a way, of Mitch Hedberg. If you find yourself in need of a goofy, silly but damn thatās so smart laugh, please check out Sheng Wang: Sweet and Juicy on Netflix.
š Something random
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Thatās it spooky szn babes, chat more next week!
āJenn