AMY SCHNEIDER/DISCRIMINATION/TRANSPHOBIA/JEOPARDY/PERSONAL GROWTH
How Amy Schneider on Jeopardy Is a Trailblazer for the Transgender Community
Understanding why this is important should speak to everyone
Unless you live under a rock, at least here in the United States, you have at least heard about Amy Schneider and her phenomenal success on Jeopardy. As of this writing, she has the third-most wins and just surpassed James Holzhaour for the most consecutive wins.
She is the first woman and trans person with this accomplishment.
I love Jeopardy, and I always get excited when a contestant has a successful run, But I have to admit I did not see why her being trans was something to celebrate.
I wondered why it should be a big deal in my naive, white, middle-class straight woman mind. I thought we were supposed to accept everyone as they are and treat them the same in all things equal.
But I was wrong.
It is a big deal
After doing a little research and talking with a dear friend of mine who happens to be trans, I now have a better understanding of this, and I wish to share it with you.
Because it matters, and together you and I will understand why we all need to celebrate her success.
Until very recently trans people didn’t see themselves doing much out in the world, so to actually see something like this happen really opens your mind up to possibilities — Amy Schneider Newsweek
I asked my friend about Amy’s success and why it mattered beyond the Jeopardy stage. Their answers were thoughtful and insightful, and I am afraid I will lose the raw honesty behind the words if I paraphrase. Therefore, the following quotes are from my friend, who at this time does not wish to be acknowledged publicly.
The ultimate goal is to have so much representation of diverse people that we no longer have firsts like the first trans woman to win Jeopardy or first black President. We aren’t actually close to those things happening with a high enough frequency.
It’s important to celebrate when these things happen because seeing yourself represented in all areas of life and media helps people feel like they belong and shows them that they too can get to that spot, have that job, or be that smart.
Because when you don’t see people that look like you or who are like you doing all different things it makes you feel like you can’t or you aren’t allowed or you aren’t capable.
It inspires people to go for what they want no matter what other people think or say.
My friend also went further to explain what’s wrong with saying, “I don’t dislike them I just don’t approve of their lifestyle” or “why can’t we all just stop talking about black people, gay people, trans people, etc. if they don’t want to be treated differently they should just stop throwing around their race and be normal.”
The truth is in our lifetime we’re never going to get to a place where things like racism, transphobia and all that stuff don’t cause obstacles in peoples lives. And we need to recognize these and acknowledge what people have had to deal with and have gone through to get where they are and part of that is recognizing the identities that people hold.
This discussion is not just about trans people or black people. It is about everyone in this world who feels marginalized. We as a society need to look beyond the label and see the person and the challenges they have had to overcome because of intolerance, bigotry, and sometimes, as in my case, ignorance.
To be individual, my friends, to be different from others, is the only way to become distinguished from the common herd. Let us be glad, therefore, that we differ from one another in form and in disposition. Variety is the spice of life, and we are various enough to enjoy one another’s society; so let us be content. — L. Frank Baum
Let’s take this opportunity to celebrate what makes each of us unique. For no two of us is ever the same, and isn’t that pretty cool? 😀