Montreal Gazette Responds to Guardian Op-Ed by Manning

[Wynternight]

Interesting rebuttal on Chelsea Manning's Op-ed piece in the Guardian.

http://montrealgazette.com/life/turning-the-page-chelsea-manning-not-a-spokesperson-for-transgender-community

It does raise a point worthy of discussion: do we, as a community, want such a divisive person acting as a spokesperson for the community?

[Deborah]

I say no.  Manning is a traitor.  People already think we are weird so having one that most people view with disdain as a spokesman will have negative effects on our public image.


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[EllieM]

I agree with Deborah. Manning does not pass as a credible spokesperson for "us", too much baggage.

[Devlyn]

Please Deborah, use spokesperson.

I am no fan of Pvt. Manning, but of the five of us involved (four in this thread and Chelsea) only one has done anything as far as publicly speaking is concerned. Give credit where it's due.

[Deborah]

I learned writing a long time ago and write spokesman in its generic sense referring to any human being who speaks.  :-)


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[Devlyn]

This isn't a long time ago, it's the 21st century. Misgendering is disrespectful and allegedly not allowed here.

[ErinS]

I don't want her associated with us in the public eye in any way, shape, or form.

[suzifrommd]

I heard Manning say something in her op/ed that I haven't heard any other spokespeople say: That we should have a RIGHT to define ourselves, and we should not have to suffer doctors, judges and laws defining us.

That is everything.

This message needs to be shouted from the rooftops. If Manning weren't doing it, no one would. Sure I would rather someone less notorious deliver the message.

I'm waiting.

Still waiting.

Still waiting.

Nope. No one. Looks like it will have to be Manning.

[ThePhoenix]

Would I prefer that someone other than Chelsea Manning were speaking up on behalf of trans* people?  Of course. 

But here's the thing:  Chelsea Manning is speaking up for us all.  Most of her critics, whether in the trans* community or not, are keeping silent. 

Prisons are a place where trans* people are usually either locked up in the wrong gender, which tends to lead to assaults and worse.  If not that, then so,Italy confinement is used. Solitary is only for the worst offenders . . . And trans* people.  Medical care tends to provided . . . unless it's for trans* people transitioning.  A state of affairs that is slowly changing. 

I do not approve of her leak.  But Chelsea Manning is speaking up for one of the most silenced groups of people there is.  I see lots of critics, but I don't see many volunteering to take her place.  So until a prisoner with an equal ability to communicate and a less controversial crime comes along, I would say bravo and pass her the mic. 

Someone needs to stand up and say the things she is saying.  And perhaps she only has the freedom to do it because she really doesn't have much left to lose.  Any volunteers to stand up in her place? 

[Deborah]

The prison where she is being held is not a normal federal prison so conditions will be better than elsewhere.

She may be commended for speaking up, but due to her lack of credibility the only ones listening are those who already agree.


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[Devlyn]

She's actually incarcerated with Calvin Glover, who is serving a life sentence for the murder of Barry Winchell. I hope the names are familiar to everyone.

[Deborah]

Yes, there are bad people there but for a variety of reasons conditions in Ft. Leavenworth are better than in regular federal prisons.


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[Devlyn]

That's debatable. Pvt Manning was forced to stand at attention naked. Pretty sure federal prisoners don't have to do that.

You do know who those two people I mentioned are, right?

[Deborah]

Yes.  Federal Prisons are full of murderers.  This one simply got more publicity than most.  Every innocent death is a tragedy.


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[Devlyn]

A transgender woman is imprisoned in a male facility with a murderer jailed for a transphobic killing. That isn't my idea of better conditions.

[Deborah]

Where would you have her jailed?


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[stephaniec]

Where would you have her jailed?


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Russia

[peky]

water and bread for the traitor, throw the key away... the traitor Manning , a convicted felon, does not speak for me, and should not be our voice either!

[Devlyn]

Where would you have her jailed?


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This would be more appropriate (than Russia)

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_Consolidated_Brig,_Miramar

[Deborah]

The women's prison is problematic in that she never said anything about being transsexual until after trial and sentencing and had never sought out any treatment.

Maybe that's not fair but having this condition isn't fair either.

Where do you draw the line at when convicted felons can have themselves transfered to a women's prison.

And again, the abuse one is likely to sustain at a federal prison is significantly reduced in the Miitary prison.


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