Well, That didn't take long

There's a bit of tempest in feminist and social justice circles these days following the introduction to the world of one Caitlyn Jenner, formerly Bruce. There has been a flurry of opinion pieces including one in last weekend's New York Times that has garnered a lot of response. Elinor Burkett's piece about Jenner mused about the implications for feminism of Jenner's coming out, wondering about how one defines womanhood, and whether the new Jenner's arrival on the scene should have been done with scanty clothes and less-scanty makeup and what that says about the state of women's equality or lack thereof.

I note with interest there were very few comments about the lushness of Chaz Bono's beard when the former Chastity Bono came out as a man. There was also little comment on the cut of the suit worn in Bono's official photos.

Now, shortly after the Jenner reveal, a woman in Spokane, Washington is revealed to have been pretending to be black as she led the local chapter of the NAACP. Both of her parents are white, of Czech and Polish descent.

Jenner has been universally applauded for courage and valour in the face of adversity, but Rachel Doelzal? Well, not so much.

The argument being put forward in the Jenner case is that we should call Caitlin a woman and use the pronouns, 'she' or 'her' because she believes herself to be a woman. If you agree with calling Jenner a woman because Jenner feels like a woman, it would follow that you'd have to back Doelzal being black because perhaps she believes herself to be black.

Really, can't everyone just be who they want to be, and it be no skin off anyone else's nose? (pun intended)

Contrary to the view held by Elinor Burkett in the New York Times, I think there IS room for people born male who wish to be known as women, to be known as women. Having more women around doesn't diminish anyone else's womanhood. That said, it saddens me to see Jenner's rather narrow take on femininity: all fluffy hair and fake eyelashes and honestly, was it really necessary to strip down to skivvies for the very first photo?

Taking the he/she argument to the next step, if we're all to present to the world who we really are on the inside, regardless of the circumstances of our birth, what are the implications for race? Be honest with yourself and think it through. Check to see where you land - it might reveal to you some uncomfortable truths about your own prejudices when it comes to race, gender, power and politics.