I listened to an excellent podcast last week that I am recommending for you:   U.S. Representative Sarah McBride of Delaware was on the Ezra Klein Show Podcast.  They discussed Why the Left Lost on Trans Rights.  This is an important topic, and when listening, I got even more out of it than I had bargained.  It made me think about the purity tests within our big tent coalition.  

Since the beginning of our two party political system, it’s been discussed that the GOP has a much easier time with messaging than the big spectrum that is The Left.  The Right is really good at holding the line in messaging, biting their proverbial lip to not disagree with their “own,” and to hold together their homogenous, small tent.  Bumper sticker messaging is easier, after all, because it doesn’t address the root of an issue or the people affected. 

But that’s not us.   We have different views about different issues, and we all have different hills to die on over here on The Left.  Issues are messy, complicated, and usually critically affect the lives of many people.  We take that seriously.  We disagree openly and passionately, and I’m not saying that’s wrong:  It‘s the basis of a true democratic society.

However, there are disagreements and arguments, and then there are purity tests.  The former is healthy, but the latter is killing us quietly.

Back to the podcast.  Among other things, Rep. Sarah McBride, the first openly trans woman in Congress, and Ezra Klein discuss comparisons among the Civil Rights Movement, the Marriage Equality Movement, and the Trans Rights Movement.  A main factor separating out the Trans Rights Movement from other equality movements is how language is involved – not the language we use to identify others, but also language we use to identify ourselves.  And this is one of the places where purity tests come in.  Most of us are more than willing to change how we do things in order to make everyone feel comfortable, including sharing our preferred  pronouns when we introduce ourselves if asked to do so in any setting. 

However, as pointed out by Rep. McBride, there are plenty of people who, while willing to use another person’s preferred pronouns as asked, don’t want to be told what language to use about themselves.   Fair?  I’d say so.  Get bent out of shape about it?  Dare I say not.

This isn’t all about trans-related purity tests.  It’s just an example.  Let’s be honest though; we are doing a bad job with working to protect this very vulnerable group in America.  Why the Left Lost on Trans Rights helped me to understand what I didn’t understand, and it was a fascinating examination into why we need to take another look at how we advocate.

The point is that it has become a pretty common practice to call out / cut off / put on blast anyone for: 

– showing support for Israel (or Palestine, depending upon the setting)

– accidentally using incorrect pronouns

– being hesitant to tread into new places for whatever the reason might be

– innocently using outdated language without knowing that it is offensive

– their feelings for or against types of energy to use for our homes

– not knowing how to express themselves “correctly” on social matters

– being under informed about certain issues because one might be too busy or too overwhelmed

It can be paralyzing to even answer a question sometimes.  Does that mean one isn’t compassionate or isn’t doing their best or doesn’t want to learn how to do better?  It does not.  

Rather than taking this moment in history to find out what can be gained by standing in solidarity against the real enemy of the Trump regime, there are those on The Left who appear to be turning on each other instead (which is far easier, by the way).

I can only imagine what it is like to be a member of a marginalized group who has been waiting, waiting, waiting for The Left to understand their plight and to do more to be inclusive than through lip service alone.  It’s complicated, because once you get someone on their heels – once you’ve made people afraid to make a mistake or to be unsure with their language or with their stance on an issue – and instead take the opportunity to tear them apart, they are going to either shut down or become less likely to engage.  What is gained then?  Nothing.  Divisiveness breeds divisiveness, and we can’t afford to peel off potential partners by making them have to be perfect on every single thing every single time.

We can either lose the fight for our nation through unforced errors within, or we can put forward enough trust in each other that the vast majority of use really do want to to better and to be better.  Let’s work together, give each other the benefit of the doubt, and be kind.

Lori Hawkins

Chair, Kenosha County Democratic Party