Every year at the ESPY Awards, the Arthur Ashe Award goes to the person, or persons, who most embody the ideals portrayed by its namesake, who speak for a cause regardless of the social burden for doing so, who live a life of courage. If someone asked me if Caitlyn Jenner should be the 2015 recipient of the Arthur Ashe Award before the ESPYs aired on July 15, I would have emphatically said no. For though I respect Jenner and her role in the transgender community, I felt sure that the ESPY producers were exploiting her in order to boost their ratings and get additional press, and it seemed that the value of the award would be tarnished by the ulterior motives surrounding the producers' decisions. However, as luck would have it, I turned on my television on Wednesday night at the very moment that Jenner was walking to the stage to give her acceptance speech, and I figured I should watch it since I was considering writing an article about why she was the wrong recipient.
Caitlyn Jenner swayed my opinion.
Though ESPY producers may have been influenced to some degree in their decisions by the promise of higher ratings, it does not matter -- for in all honesty, Caitlyn Jenner did Arthur Ashe proud in her acceptance speech. Focusing on the transgender community at large, she clearly understood that the stage was hers, not for telling the world of her own battles, but for giving the world another glimpse of a reality hard to imagine: "If you want to call me names, make jokes, doubt my intentions, go ahead -- because the reality is, I can take it. But for the thousands of kids out there coming to terms with being true to who they are, they shouldn’t have to take it." One of many poignant moments in Jenner's speech, this highlights her ultimate message: that it is time to recognize that human rights belong to all humans and that respect should be given to all those with merit regardless of their sexual orientation or identity.
Finally, I felt that I was set on supporting the decision that awarded Caitlyn Jenner with this honor, but the next day I was reminded of another headline that involved Jenner earlier in the year:
Bruce Jenner Sued Over Fatal Car Crash
This was the headline of an online article by CNN on May 1. In 2015, Caitlyn Jenner has both bravely transformed her life, yet she also ended someone else's. For those unfamiliar with the details of this fatal accident, Jenner rear-ended a Lexus driven by Kimberly Howe, causing it to swerve into oncoming traffic. Howe's car was subsequently hit by an approaching vehicle head-on, killing her. To note, Jenner was traveling within the speed limit (though perhaps speeding respectively in terms of the traffic movement) and additionally passed a sobriety test; as of today, Jenner, though sued by the stepchildren of Howe, has not been charged for manslaughter.
Once again, I found myself contemplating the legitimacy of Caitlyn Jenner's honor. However, I believe I have decided upon my final stance on the matter. While I respect those who believe Jenner is an unworthy recipient on the grounds of her involvement in this fatal car crash, I believe that she is still deserving. Car accidents happen far too often, and though the media tends to highlight those that involve alcohol or purposefully destructive actions, there are nonetheless many more that are tragic mistakes. Individuals involved in these accidents may have been able to avoid them; however, at a certain point human error must be taken into consideration, and no matter how hard a person tries to be safe while driving, errors occur and fate will find these moments to intervene in horrible ways. Jenner's involvement in a tragic accident is a moment in time that will forever scar her memory and the memory of the victim's family. However, a scar does not, and should not, prevent a person from making positive contributions at other points in one's life.
Ultimately, regardless of the factors contributing to the ESPY's decision or to a horrible twist of fate, I support Caitlyn Jenner as the 2015 Arthur Ashe Award winner and applaud her for her speech, which I hope will help spur changes in societal views. For what better way to overcome a past tragedy then by dedicating one's future to bettering others?
