Caitlyn’s step daughter Kim Kardashian may have broken the internet, but Caitlyn fixed it. Regardless of your own personal opinion of her transition from Bruce to Caitlyn, there is a message she has carried with her through her journey to becoming herself that can resonate with anyone.
Think about how much of what you choose to do or not do is influenced by the fear of being judged either by family, friends or society in general. These fears can be trivially small or so large that they ultimately alter the core of your being. So often we hide parts of ourselves from others because we want to fit in. In a world where society is constantly telling us how we should be it becomes more and more difficult to not only find ourselves, but than to have the courage to share our true selves with the world.
I remember when I was in elementary and middle school, I was awarded the title “Top A.R. Reader” every year. I loved reading but I got teased a crap ton for being a book-worm/nerd, whatever they called it. I completely stopped reading in class and would only read at home so the name-calling would cease. Well, it came time for the yearly award’s ceremony and I was going to have to get up in front of the school, walk onto the stage and be presented with the award. I made my mom come pick me up from school early so I could skip it. Not only did I miss it, but my whole family that was so excited for me was forced to skip it as well. That was so stupid! Here was something I enjoyed doing and I was being recognized with an award for it, but I was so worried about what others thought that I neglected a positive experience. That example is so insignificant, but just goes to show how crippling the fear of judgment is.
Imagine if someone stops doing something they love because they fear being judged for it. What if someone you care about is suffering from an eating disorder because some loser called them fat? What if you really loved someone but you were terrified of what other people would think so you end up losing that person because you weren’t able to have an open and honest relationship? What would you do if your dad went to Texas A&M and became a engineer so that is what you’re supposed to do even though you dream of attending UT and becoming an artist? Would you live your father’s dream or your own? Some people fear dating someone outside their cultural or religious background because of what others might say. These fears keep us from pursuing our own happiness…but not Caitlyn Jenner.
Caitlyn Jenner has let the whole world into her intimate battle. She has shown an astonishing amount of bravery to share her story, her fear and her truth. Caitlyn’s message is simple: be who you are. She is changing perceptions and building awareness and understanding of the common struggle we all face. Yes, she is transgender and she is using her platform to help impact a change to the transgender community. But what's even bigger than that is she is finding her own voice. She is inspiring and captivating others by being herself in a society that doesn’t entirely support transgender individuals. She is making a difference that she couldn’t have done before, she has let the world know who she really is. Caitlyn made a change that made her feel better about who she really is.
Everyone should have the freedom to be themselves, to be happy. Stop being afraid to be who you are. We are all responsible for choosing our own happiness, find yours. Live your life the way you want by being whoever it is you are and be proud of that person! Never be ashamed or afraid to say what you feel, love who you love, or be whoever you want to be. Thank you Caitlyn, and in the 11 years that have passed, I now feel that this is the time for me to say, "I really love to read, especially Harry Potter books!"
"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
