Courage Defined

There was once a man who was loved by his people. They praised his achievements and called him "Hero" and "Champion". And he was entirely deserving of these titles, having earned them through determination, perseverance, and the sweat of his brow. His skill and performance had never before been seen by the world. In the nearly four decades since, only two dozen people have achieved greater success.

The status and celebrity he earned followed him through his life and he used it as responsibly as one might expect, celebrity being a notoriously unwieldy tool. And then, one day, the man was gone. When people turned to him they found a woman standing there instead. And she seemed to be just a bit more than the man who had been there before. She was stronger. She was herself.

For those who have not gathered, I am writing of Caitlyn Jenner, the Olympic Decathlon gold medalist and world record setter who recently became one of the most recognized transgender celebrities in North America. Specifically, I wish to address her receiving of the Arthur Ashe Courage Award and the discussions it has elicited.

Courage

noun | cour·age | \ˈkər-ij, ˈkə-rij\

The quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery.

The Arthur Ashe Courage Award, or AACA, is part of the Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Awards, known as ESPYs, and so is fundamentally an award for athletes and athletic achievements. Caitlyn Jenner has held high status and regard for the last 39 years primarily due to her outstanding performance in the 1976 Olympics and it is this status as a renowned athlete that has made her a potential candidate to be recognized for this particular series of awards.

Standing apart from the ESPYs, the AACA is specifically presented to an individual who's contributions to society "reflect the spirit of Arthur Ashe, possessing strength in the face of adversity, courage in the face of peril and the willingness to stand up for their beliefs no matter what the cost. "("Arthur Ashe Award").

Arthur Ashe was a barrier-breaking tennis player, becoming the only black man, to date, to win the singles title at the U.S. Open, the Australian Open, or Wimbleton. He was also a determined civil rights supporter who, after his retirement from professional tennis, had been arrested on two occasions over his involvement with protests. He also became a face for health education after he suffered a heart attack in his late 30's, and consequently contracted HIV from a blood transfusion.

It is the embracing and overcoming of these types of adversities that the AACA is dedicated to honor; adversities of misinformation, or mistrust, or even hatred. It is poignant to note that much of the adversity that Arthur Ashe faced regarding HIV was aimed at misinformation about the gay community, starkly similar to the misinformation and adversity that Caitlyn Jenner faces regarding the transgender community. For this fact alone, she is worthy of the nomination for the AACA.

Perhaps the most telling point is simply the quantity of hateful commentary that has erupted throughout the larger community. Somehow, showcasing a prominent transgender member of our society has caused a loud minority to recoil with fear and hatred. With shouts of "We thought we knew you, Bruce", they throw their sticks and stones and cower behind their own ignorance and terror. And from the very start, Caitlyn Jenner knew there would be this hateful million-strong voice among us. She knew that she would be placed at the prow of the ship for all to see. She knew and she continued undeterred. That took a world of courage.

"Arthur Ashe Award." ESPN.go.com. Entertainment and Sports Programming Network. n.d. Web. 3 June 2015.