“‘¦But when a long Train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security’¦”

Thomas Jefferson wrote that. It’s the fifth sentence in the Declaration of Independence. It’s my favorite sentence in one of my favorite documents. It is also the most important sentence in the entire document. It is both the Founding Father’s explanation of, and justification for, committing high treason.

In much less eloquent early 21st century English here’s what it means:

If a wrong exists in society, it is not just the right of the people to act to correct the wrong; it is their moral and ethical obligation to do so.

Based on some of the comments to my last piece, what I am going to say next may come as a surprise to some: I don’t write about money. I write about something more important.

Money is only a symptom, one of many, of the bigger problem: the way in which our Euro-centric society treats the Transgendered.

Some have accused me of self pity. That could not be farther from the truth. I am far happier now than I have ever been.

Although it is true that Craig was financially better off than Ashley, I continue to be able to live the comfortable upper middle class life style that I have always lived, even in this challenging economy.

Some have suggested that I focus my writings on what is good and right about being Transgendered.

That would be a waste of time. Right is right. Right requires no action.

Wrong, on the other hand, requires action.

This isn’t about money.

It’s about wrong and the need to act against it.

If you own your own business or make your living through the Internet, great, if that is how you wish to make your living.

If it is not, if you are forced to do so because you cannot find employment in your chosen field because you are Transgendered, that is discrimination.

Discrimination is wrong. Action is required to correct the wrong.

It was suggested that an internet job was ideal because it didn’t matter what color your skin is or what religion you practice. The fact that this was mentioned indicates that society has forced the writer to consider the implications of both of these factors.

That is coercion, the power of the many oppressing the rights of the few. That is an abridgment of an individual’s liberty, one of the inalienable rights the Declaration of Independence so eloquently defends.

Coercion is wrong. Action is required to correct the wrong.

Some have asked if the journeys of M to F’s and F to M’s are significantly different from one another. My experience and those of my friends tell me yes.

In spite of years and years of progress, this is still largely a male-centric society. When it looks at a male to female Transsexual it does so with confusion. It wonders: why would a man want to give up being a man ‘“ to be a woman? I’ve actually been asked that question (more than once).

Conversely, when society looks at a female to male Transsexual it does so with no confusion. It thinks: of course ‘œshe’ wants to be a ‘œhe.’ Who wouldn’t? I have F to M friends who have had that conversation with people on more than one occasion.

That is sexism.

Sexism is wrong. Action is required to correct the wrong.

To focus on the good and ignore the wrong you must make an accommodation with the status quo. To make an accommodation with the status quo requires a tacit acceptance of the status quo. A tacit acceptance of the status quo helps to perpetuate the status quo.

The status quo is wrong. Action is required to correct the wrong.

This isn’t about money. It’s about wrong and acting to correct the wrong.

Susan, in response to your question asking how you can help, I have this to say:

Any action is better than inaction.

Thank you for wanting to act. Thank you for understanding. Thank you for ‘œgetting it.’

‘œYou must be the change you want to see in the world.’ -Gandhi

Photo credit: stock.xchng.