Today, I returned to the Melissa Harris Perry Show, where (guess what???) I got to discuss…TV + Scandal + media representations of black women. I got the chance to speak about something other than just being trans in mainstream media.
It’s an exhibition in the fact that trans people do have other interests than just being trans or having “transitioned.” It was a pleasure to return to my giddy pop culture editor roots (with a touch of depth, right?!) and do it on such a powerful platform with one of my sheroes, Melissa Harris Perry.
With my recent media critiques of the New York Times, I’ll probably never reach my goal of getting Michiko to read my memoir. But our living history is so much bigger than the personal dreams I have for myself. I urge us to mine the anger and frustration and disappointment into creativity and expression. Don’t let the New York Times (as evidence in their portraits of Lorena Escalera and the women of Christopher Street) stand as the record of our lives: Trans women are so much more than the less-than-human portraits they continue paint of us.
babyshibe asked: Browsing the 'trans' tag on tumblr, I came across a link to your story - and then was amazed to find your blog! Just thought I'd add that it's LOVELY and encouraging to read a story that turns out so well :) Positive stories about trans people's experiences seem to be sadly few and far between, and it gives me hope for the future that you've had an experience like that :)
I’m finally answering these questions (because it’s only been a year right?)…
Thank you first and foremost. I point my finger at media gatekeepers (I’m apart of the media, so I take fault as well) who seem to only be interested in tantalizing struggles rather than the sometime mundane existence of happiness that does exist in our world for cis and trans folks. I’m glad that I can elevate, through my personal story, both the struggle and the joy of humanity. Balance is key.
It took Dateline NBC’s Hoda Kotb approximately 13 minutes into her segment - on medical treatments for trans kids - to ask 11-year-old trans girl Josie Romero of Tucson, Arizona: “Do you feel trapped in the wrong body?”
Whenever this question is posed, I find it to be more of a leading statement rather than a true inquiry or invitation for a trans subject to speak about their life experience or outlook on their relationship with their bodies.
Whenever it’s posed it never sits well with me. And here’s why:
http://janetmock.com/2012/07/09/josie-romero-dateline-transgender-trapped-body/
On Sunday, March 25th, I’ll be joining MAD Free with Michaela angela Davis for a Modern Women’s History Month conversation in Harlem at 1pm. Please join us - it’s FREE! - as we discuss image, acceptance, self-definition and a bit of hair too.
Here’s the event’s details:
*MAD Free* with *Janet Mock*
Is proudly a part of *Sundae Sermon *
Sunday, March 25, 2012 @ 1pm
El Mueso del Barrio
1230 5th Ave. @ 105th St.
Free to the Public.
