It's hard to believe that we are now in the 21st century and legal discrimination is still alive and well. You'd think that our society would be well beyond such antics, but here we are, once again, fighting the powers that be. Resistance against oppression has been a mainstay in the United States since its very inception. Throughout slavery, the women's movement, and the civil rights protests, American citizens found ways to rise up and make their presence known in an effort to demand justice and equality. However, it seems like we are beginning to regress in the area of equal rights. Just when we think that our politicians "get it" we are blindsided by another conservative effort to quash individuality and freedom. The frustrating part is that the battle is never an easy one. Usually it's a long, drawn out process that requires a fight all the way to the Supreme Court to settle the issue. But what is encouraging is the knowledge that somehow, some way, the wrongs are always righted.
The issue of transgender individuals being able to live their lives in peace, as their identified gender, is now at the forefront. They did nothing to deserve this persecution and punishment. In comparison to the number of non-transgender citizens in this country, the transgender population may seem very small. Their voices are not easily heard because of their marginalized status in our society. In order to affect change and get these laws repealed, it will take more than the voices of those directly impacted by the discrimination. The key to this movement is allies. That's where the rest of us come in. Hopefully, by discussing this issue, through the Foucauldian lens focused on power and punishment within our social system, I can at least draw attention to the need for action through the assistance of allies.
The issue of transgender individuals being able to live their lives in peace, as their identified gender, is now at the forefront. They did nothing to deserve this persecution and punishment. In comparison to the number of non-transgender citizens in this country, the transgender population may seem very small. Their voices are not easily heard because of their marginalized status in our society. In order to affect change and get these laws repealed, it will take more than the voices of those directly impacted by the discrimination. The key to this movement is allies. That's where the rest of us come in. Hopefully, by discussing this issue, through the Foucauldian lens focused on power and punishment within our social system, I can at least draw attention to the need for action through the assistance of allies.
