Here is the first note I would like to make before continuing: I do not love President Joe Biden, but I can acknowledge when he does something right.
On Easter, as well as Transgender Day of Visibility (TDV), he released two separate statements acknowledging and celebrating both holidays. This was the second time the two have ever coincided since the creation of TDV 15 years ago, and it will not happen again until 2086.
However, people — namely, Republicans — were outraged that he decided to recognize both holidays. It was claimed he was attacking religion and that this Sunday was solely meant to celebrate Jesus Christ.
Biden himself is Catholic, and in his statement about Easter, he said, “As we gather with loved ones, we remember Jesus’ sacrifice. We pray for one another and cherish the blessing of the dawn of new possibilities.” This alone sounds far from anyone who would be “attacking” religion. He is openly connecting to others who celebrate the holiday as someone who celebrates it himself.
Then, there is another matter coinciding with this one: our president should not have to preserve your faith. There is a separation between the church and state for a reason, and if you truly, passionately believe in what you believe in, then surely you can continue to celebrate Easter as it is knowing nothing else can “taint it.”
But, let’s go even further into this matter. I am not religious, but I know that famous biblical line of Matthew 22: 37-40: “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
Those who believe in Christ are supposed to follow this commandment, and yet they refuse to. They decide they have the authority to select their neighbors and in turn they have pushed the transgender community out.
Biden followed this commandment in his proclamation surrounding TDV. He said, “Transgender Americans are part of the fabric of our Nation. Whether serving their communities or in the military, raising families or running businesses, they help America thrive. They deserve, and are entitled to, the same rights and freedoms as every other American, including the most fundamental freedom to be their true selves.”
If anything, then, by claiming he was attacking religion with this proclamation, these believers are in turn denying their own piety.
I am not religious myself, so perhaps I could be misinterpreting things, but I find it hard — and honestly depressing — to believe that we would have a higher being that would be hateful of their innocent creations.
As for TDV, these people need to realize that this is a worldwide holiday. Psychotherapist and Executive Director of Transgender Michigan Rachel Crandall-Crocker founded this celebration 15 years ago to empower the transgender community.
There is Transgender Day of Remembrance celebrated on Nov. 20, but Crandall-Crocker, “wanted a day that we could focus on the living… And where we could have rallies all as one community all the way around the world.” As Crandall-Crocker and her wife, Susan Crocker, raised awareness of the holiday, it inspired others around the world and she was able to achieve what she wanted.
Biden did the best thing he could. He recognized both holidays with an open heart. If others cannot see that, then they are simply blinded by their prejudice.
pbortner@ramapo.edu
Featured photo courtesy of Ong Somos, Wikimedia
