From now on just two genders? Let’s restrict the number of categories for people even further down to one: human beings!

Jules Schaper

As Trump has returned to power and atrocious measures are set in place against immigrants, transgenders, nature, well, actually life itself, you could say, we shouldn’t look away. It is important that we stay awake and keep a clear mind in these dark times, that we will not get used to or start normalizing things that are not normal. I think it is time for a new way of activism. With the Episcopal bishop of Washington Mariann Budde and her call for mercy in mind, I think we should follow suit and remind the powers that be what humanity actually looks like. Apparently, they have forgotten (or have never known in the first place). We should all set an example. I have some suggestions: Let’s not be determined by biology and make this only important in the place where it matters: health care. (Where strangely enough nobody seems particularly bothered with gender specific health care and women’s complaints are routinely ignored – so much for the ‘protection of women’). Let us be empathic and show compassion. Let’s not be governed by greed, let’s try to leave a livable planet for our children. Let us be accountable. Let us speak up without insulting others. Let us welcome ‘the other’. Let us share what we have. Let us be vulnerable. Let us live in the not-knowing instead of pretending to have all the answers. Let’s keep an open mind while not being cajoled into finding amorality normal. Let’s not be either a man or a woman, let’s simply try to be human.