About Caitlyn Jenner...

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First let me say that I own my ignorance of the complexity of gender and sexuality issues and appropriate terminology usage, so if I say something offensive to the LGBTQ community or misuse language please correct me. I'm still learning and growing. 

 I support Caitlyn Jenner's decision to live her truth, as I would any member of the LGBTQ community. As a Christian, I am called to live a life of love and compassion for ALL people. And as a Christian I often have more questions than answers. It's not my job to judge, condemn, or condone but to pray that the Lord's Will be done. 

 As a cisgender person, meaning I identify as the same gender with which I was born, I have no idea what it is like to wake up everyday in a body or with an identity  that feels as if it does not belong to me.  Like most people, I just don't understand. Again, I own my ignorance. I have seen both youth and young adults struggle with sexuality and gender identity and I know both youth and young adults who are transgender. The struggle is REAL. Everybody doesn't have the privilege of experiencing life with people who are different from themselves. I recognize this gives me a perspective that is foreign to some. If aspects of the LGBTQ lifestyle do not coincide with your beliefs, fine. You are entitled to your opinions. In addition, the LGBTQ community is entitled to be treated with dignity, respect and humanity, just like everyone else. We should not use religion to bash and bully people; historically that has not served us well (see the Crusades, slavery, etc). Nor should we use our personal beliefs to do the same. I am going to continue to pray for humanity and that the Lord's Will be done. And I will not name call, damn people to hell, discriminate against, or contribute to the ostracization of people whose sexual lifestyles may not be similar to my own.

 I will add that Laverne Cox's article brings up a good point about privilege regarding being able to manufacture a stereotypical ideal of feminine beauty. That, in and of itself, presents another list of issues for a later post. 

 So I'll close with this: treat people the way you want to be treated AND the way they want to be treated. If you can't do that, then leave them alone. 
"I am constantly striving to be a better me." After nearly 10 years as a high school English teacher, I left the classroom in hopes of finding a way to have a greater impact in public school education. I earned my doctorate in UNC Chapel Hill's Policy, Leadership, and School Improvement Program. I am a critical race scholar, narrowing in on critical whiteness specifically. I study white children's racial identity construction. I am the co-founder and Lead Curator (executive director) for a nonprofit called WE ARE, which stands for working to extend anti-racist education. We provide anti-racism trainings for children, families, and educators. We use a three-pronged approach to dismantle systemic racism in education and beyond by offering summer camps for kids in rising 1st-5th grade, professional development for educators, and workshops for parents and families. I am a Black woman, motherscholar, and anti-racist activist. As a Christian, I believe I am called to do this work. #disruptivepeace #peacemaker #antiracisteducator

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