Transgender Facts

  After seeing too many hate-filled posts about the transgender community on social media in the past few days, I thought I would share a few things about that particular community with you. Things that you may not be aware of or forgotten about. If the comments are any indication, too many of you are not aware of the lives of this less than 1% of the population. Which I find quite shocking. But remember, I'm not an expert on the trans community, just an observer sharing her observations.

  Transgender men and women live in houses and apartments. They have furniture and knick-knacks that collect dust. Beds, sofas, and televisions are common. Their kitchens have stoves and fridges. Some even have fancy dining room tables that can be set with their Grandma's wedding china on holidays or paper plates for late-night pizza. I've even heard of some who have two bathrooms and a laundry room!

  You may not be aware, but trans people have jobs. Good ones and crappy ones...just like you and me. They set an alarm, battle for a seat on the bus or get stuck in traffic daily so they can pay bills. Believe it or not, they complain as much about bad drivers and the cost of parking as you and I do. Overworked, underpaid, and underappreciated isn't foreign to that community either.

  Here's something you might be shocked to learn. Transgender people mow their lawns and shovel snow. Garages need to be organized, and garbage cans replaced or repaired. They do home renos and pick dandelions off their front lawn. And when they are finished, they've been known to sit on their deck with a cold beverage, admiring their handiwork. Shocking, I know.

  Buying groceries, cooking dinner, loading the dishwasher...all done by this community. As is washing floors, folding laundry, and shredding. They have a junk drawer in their kitchen and containers with lids that have disappeared. Too much time is wasted on their phones or bingeing Netflix series. And I'm not the only one who knows their Amazon driver's name.

  The trans community celebrates holidays, goes to weddings and funerals, and visit sick relatives in the hospital. They share Sunday dinners with their parents, laugh at Uncle Bob's lame jokes, and roll their eyes when asked for the tenth time if they are married yet. We aren't the only ones deciding whether our elderly parents need to move into care or a sibling needs to get into rehab. Sadly, they have those conversations and arguments too. 

  Could it be? Could it possibly be that trans people are just that, people? Human beings? Just like us. Do you think so? Deserving of dignity? Respect? Empathy? Could that really be true?

   If they are human beings, and it looks like they are, why do we hate on them? Or allow others too? You can dislike a single person based on an interaction with them, but their entire community? You would hate everyone! And everyone would hate you!

  Transgender people are just that, people. Some are nice, some are not. You may not understand the genetic makeup or the biological factors associated with it, but most of us don't understand those two subjects at the most basic level. Mind your own business, don't judge others, and if you cannot, then keep your hatred to yourself.

  To quote Oprah, they are living their true lives. And don't we all wish we were doing just that?

  Ang

  

  

  

  

The Uneducated

 In 2016, Donald Trump said, "I love the poorly educated." This comment was made in a victory speech after winning the Nevada caucus. Since then, parts of this phrase have been echoed by many. Both conservatives and liberals. Used by both sides as the reason the world is in the state it is today. They could have said "the uninformed" or "political ignorants," but they didn't. The words were carefully chosen. And it irritates me...a lot!

  The View host, Sunny Hostin, has several times blamed "the uneducated" for policies put in place by elected officials who support Trump. As if those who, for whatever reason, didn't continue their education in a university or college, were somehow less informed than their degree-wielding counterparts. While that may be true for some people, it certainly isn't for most. And I've met many Master's Degree and PHD holders whose political leanings do more harm than good.

  Remember during COVID lockdowns, how we wouldn't have survived without grocery workers, the truck drivers, and warehouse workers. Or had anything to eat without the farmers and fishermen. Janitors in hospitals and schools keeping the germs at bay. We were so appreciative and swore we would never again look down on their contributions to society. That didn't last long.

  There are a few insurance companies that advertise better rates for university graduates. Obviously, they believe that makes you a better driver...not quite sure what one has to do with the other, but ok. Some optical stores, barbershops, and many beauty stores give discounts. You can even get a discount on LASIK eye surgery... wth? 

  Does a piece of parchment with fancy writing guarantee success? Don't tell that to Rihanna, Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Lawrence, and Whoopi Goldberg. All extremely successful in their chosen fields, not a diploma of any kind amongst them. Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Sidney Crosby never stepped foot in a lecture hall. Bill Gates, Richard Branson, and Oprah, all billionaires, not one earned degree amongst them.

  Even within the world of academics, there is status. Some degrees are worth more than others. Ask any engineer, and they will tell you theirs is much more prestigious than others and show you their ring, of course. Just a bachelor's degree? Be prepared to be looked down upon by those with Master's degrees. And PHD holders? Don't be surprised if they correct you all and want to be called doctor. Who is the "uneducated" now?

  I guess it's all about the value we put on a piece of paper. I personally think we put too much emphasis on it. Not that people shouldn't go to university, more that those who don't shouldn't be thought of as lesser than. Or that someone who goes into the trades should not be looked at with disdain because they work with their hands and not their minds, because that is simply not true. 

  When it comes to politics, being "well educated" has absolutely nothing to do with a degree or diploma. It is all about information, circumstance, and need. Those change all the time for all of us. Read up on the news of the day from several different sources. Ask questions. Those leaflets your representatives, or wanna-be reps, put in your mailbox? Read them before you throw them in the recycle box. Make up your mind based on facts you have verified. You'll be better informed by the time you cast your ballot.

  Stop trying to diminish people because they chose a different road than you. It makes you look...uneducated.

Ang