Published in 1837 by Hans Christian Anderson, the story which is the title of this essay is a commentary on, among other things, social conformity. Even though it was apparent to all in the kingdom that the emperor was parading around without a stitch of clothing on his body, social conformity prevented any of the emperor’s subjects from pointing out the obvious. As those of you familiar with the story may recall, it took a child to exclaim “the emperor is naked” to “expose” the truth.
For quite some time now this story has come to mind as I watch and read about the goings-on in this country. Fundamental changes that once I would have considered far-fetched have gained so much ground that it is impossible to ignore.
I consider myself to the right of center in my economic views, but to the left of center on social issues. Years ago, I declared myself an Independent so I could vote either party in primary elections depending on the issues and the position of the candidates. I don’t need a political party, or a preacher for that matter, to tell me how to vote.
Generally, I follow a “live and let live” philosophy. Not because I don’t disagree with “stuff” but because I know the truth of the Serenity Prayer. There isn’t much that I have the power to change outside of myself. Maybe that is what the emperor’s subjects thought. Or, perhaps they were afraid to speak the truth.
Look at today. If you speak about open borders you are a racist. If you are concerned about radical Islam you are Islamophobic. If you worry about political candidates and those already in office that promote ideas that have always failed in other countries, you are a bigot, an elitist or just plain stupid. If you oppose Drag Queen story hour at the public library, you are homophobic. If you think a man can be a woman if he thinks he is one, or a woman can be a man … I’m not sure what tag gets placed on you, but it’s “clear” that you are the one with the problem. This last delusion, that someone can become the opposite sex and require the rest of us to agree, is what turned me from the emperor’s subject to the child with enough guts to speak the truth.
I am a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, known as the DAR. The DAR was established in 1890 as an organization for women. At the time the DAR was established there was already in existence the Sons of the American Revolution for men. In each case, the membership is based on lineage directly connecting the member to an ancestor who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War or who in some manner aided in the war effort.
Around 2012 national DAR began surreptitiously allowing biological men to join the DAR if they had been able to have their birth certificate changed from male to female. Some states permit this, but the majority of states do not. The national membership did not become aware of these actions until a trans woman in North Carolina sued for admittance to a chapter in that state. Even then, many DAR members remained unaware that biological men were being allowed membership in the DAR. As these actions began to come to light a huge outcry arose in DAR chapters across the country. To quell opposition, which is becoming stronger and stronger, last week national officers disbanded the Martha Laird Chapter in Texas. The message? Oppose us and you will suffer.
Can I do anything about the insanity that has taken hold of the DAR national leadership? Nothing other than stop paying my dues, which I will do. I will remain a member-at -large, because I am proud of my ancestor who was a Patriot, but I refuse to financially support an organization that disbands a chapter for speaking the truth. A man can never become a woman. He can cut off a body part and add implants to his chest. He can take hormones and wear a dress. But he will never be a woman – he will always be a man with gender dysphoria insisting that the rest of us engage in his delusion. XY does not change to XX.
A conservative writer that I follow says all the issues today are caused by a decline in Christianity in this country. I disagree. We’ve just become intellectually lazy. We don’t want to rock the boat. We are afraid that speaking the truth will bring harm to us, personally or professionally or both. That we will be shunned.
Well, so be it if those are the consequences of this essay. I’m tired of being quiet.