With President Trump’s ban on transgender people in the military, micro resistances are forming to spite the decision of the President.
What happened?
With the controversial ban on transgender members in the United States military pushed by Donald Trump, police departments have become the surprising knight in shining armor, coming to spite the decision. Departments all across the United States have invited transgender members of the military whose services are no longer welcome to join their police forces. Chiefs of police departments have risen to the occasion and welcomed transgender people to join the police forces as a much more welcome alternative.
Current police departments have already recruited transgender members to the police force, gradually marking the start of the movement. Austin already has a transgender officer, serving as a marker for the progression as well as investment in the claims made by the departments. This resistance sends a resounding message of solidarity to the current administration amidst all of the turbulence and internal conflicts in progress.
What does this mean?
A resounding message to the current administration, this stands for a variation of things, both good and bad. On an optimistic note, there is some form of resistance against transphobic policies that are currently being passed. This creates a powerful sentiment of solidarity throughout the nation and sends an incentive for people of all perspectives to join in and consider the perspective of equality further. Such an ideal is extremely important to a nation that is currently in a state of chaos, in terms of conflicting ideals and differing perspectives.
The negative, however, comes from a position of scrutiny and slight distrust. Given the legacy and history of police brutality in the United States, the adamant response seems to be one of a cover up job. The idea that police are not so bad seems to be the universal theme that is being pitched with this perspective. Perhaps it is the pessimism speaking, but one ought to be notably wary when considering the kindness pitched by an institution known for its legacy of violence. After all, that is a borderline instinctive precaution a person of color ought to know to take at the current time.
This is not to say that there is no positivity that can be seen in the endorsements made by the police department. There is certainly positivity, and embracing that is not only healthy but extremely crucial. However, caution is also something we ought to practice, and here this is also extremely crucial to not forget.