The reading emphasized the privilege of being cisgender, assumptions created by cisgender people, and the challenges these create for transgender people. It additionally explained the deeper challenges some face because of race, social class, etc. A horribly perfect example of this was CeCe McDonald, who was a victim of this unjust system. Not only were transgender people criminalized by authority through CeCe’s story, but her experience was not validated because of her social class and race. Watching the film, the interview and then reading the scholarly article (in that order) made me better understand the situation. Listening to her story and her experience made me understand her point of view, the film gave CeCe a voice which educated me not by mass media but by her truth. I saw this injustice that is knitted into the system, her sadness, anger, but passion to make this a better world resonated with me. The interview about the film gave her a voice to better explain her feelings without any editing. Finally, to tie off, I understood how big this problem is because of the reading. The reading further analyzed this story to unveil a criminal justice system and society that is abundant with ignorance and prejudice. Debunking all these ideas created by an unjust system and making me aware of my privilege is something very powerful. The stereotypes of African Americans as people who are mad, denied CeCe the proper medical care and the humane treatment by authority. Being put in solitary confinement and then being put in a jail for men only denied her identity. Reading and watching her story made me wonder how many other privileges I have that I am not aware of. Black people are often criminalized by the government, mass media and criminal justice system but thanks to all the protests and movements, the world can see they are just as human as anyone else. This current time has been about reclaiming power, people are crying out their fears, and talking about these injustices, something that the criminal justice system does not often portray.
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hey Stephany Pineda C, this is really sad that denied CeCe the proper medical care this is a basic human right. I bet Cece isn’t the only trans who is in that situation, the big stream media is so busy portrays people of color so hard they forget if we are human like.
Hello Stephany,
Thank you for sharing your post.
This reading was a bit difficult for me because it involved so much deeper injustice toward African Americans as a whole population and a whole lot of discrimination toward Transgender minorities.
one is already under a lot of pressure being African American, belonging to a poor community and misjudge because of the lack of resources and opportunities. And adding the fact of being a transgender that could mean so much more suffering and inequality within our social system.
like you mentioned ”The stereotypes of African Americans as people who are mad, denied CeCe the proper medical care and the humane treatment by authority…”
But I also see a light in CeCe’s empowerment and how she turns this situation around and made us all aware of it. Sharing her experience will help move forward and open our eyes to this injustice and how we can support each other positively.
Hello Stephanie,
What stood out to me after this reading was you highlighting how blacks are targeted not only by the government but by the mass media . There are groups in our government who controls what information gets sent out to the mass media audience, it is rare when they publicize the accomplishments of black women and especially black men . It is as if the agenda is to destroy the image of black people. Further more the insults and mistreatment that comes along with being trans is unfair and unjustified .
Hello Stephany,
CeCe Mcdonald’s story is just heart wrenching. The facts that CeCe was even denied the proper medical assistance is absurd and so sad! As we continue reading and seeing different stories I also think to myself of all the privileges I have that I am not aware of. It just saddens me that situations like this still happen. As a community we must continue fighting for justice and equality.
Hey Stephany, you brought me back to reality by re underlining what has been happening for the last few decades, involving how those with melanin are born with targets on their backs. The tragedy that was the CeCe’s story is just another persons whose rights were not taking into consideration. All of us as a society need to realize just how unjust everything is and then we would be able to come together and make a change that would be beneficial to all.
Hi Stephanie,
I love your post. Sadly, a social status can change everything to a point where whatever happens to you it does not matter because they are used to not giving the necessary attention to what matters. I have a better point of view now of the situation, but being honest it is scary because even if you are as careful as possible anything can happen.