Caitlyn Jenner and the Myth of Tolerance

The curious case of Caitlyn Jenner exposes once more the intellectually dishonest debate over tolerance. Tolerance is an empty slogan employed by individuals with an agenda seeking to forestall dissension. It’s no different than politicians waving the flag around military budgets or hate mongers playing on base fears as a means to an end. Tolerance is held up as a goal in and of itself, meaning, its moral superiority need not be defended, or even explained. It’s trite, it’s cynical, it’s extremely effective.

The supporters of Bruce Jenner’s gender change have declared him the heroic standard bearer for gender rights. The issue is framed entirely in black or white. You are on the side of Caitlyn and tolerance or you are a babbling blockhead who deserves scorn and ridicule. In a more perfect world coming soon, you will taste the dungeon floors. Tolerance has become intolerance.

There appears to be the entire sum of nobody suggesting that Bruce Jenner didn’t have the absolute right to spend his shiny beads to purchase womanhood. However, there are people suggesting that Jenner is a self-centered egotist who has for decades put his own interests ahead of his obligation to family, let alone the gender dysmorphia rights campaign itself. Kris Jenner this week legitimately cried real human tears explaining how she was duped for twenty-three years by a husband and father to her children who hid the fact that his number one desire in life was to be living as a woman. Do you realize what kind of devil you must be to make Kris Jenner a legitimately sympathetic character?

Bruce Jenner lied to Kris Jenner just as he abandoned his former children and lied to his former wives and allowed his current crop of kids to be exploited for commercial gain because he was too weak with soul searching to put his foot down. These minor indiscretions all cleared now, along with a vehicular death, in the name of working through your gender identity issues. If you had crippling ALS like Stephen Hawking and your obsession with your cure led you to leave a trail of broken families in your wake, people would mock you openly. Bruce Jenner’s malady lies within the realm of the socially progressive, so he gets a free pass. In fact, he gets an Arthur Ashe Courage Award.

Bruce Jenner is not a horrible person. He’s just a guy who wanted to be a girl and his long time struggle has made him something of a self-absorbed heel. If that is the god you wish to bow down to, so be it. It’s when you bring out the fasces and start beating the critics that you cinch your morally bankrupt position. It would be nice if we could debate social issues on merit and point, rather than as an immature lot with butt hurt feelings requiring childish responses. I blame Sesame Street. I’m okay, you’re okay, unless you disagree with me. Mr. Hooper’s blowing Luis behind the produce, if this is a problem I got an eight foot tall bird who needs to see you in the alley about your feelings.

Photo credit: Vanity Fair