Malcolm Gladwell, a best-selling author of pop psychology books, has reversed himself on the issue of trans women competing in women's sports. In the past he said he supports the right of trans women to play in women's leagues. Now he says that he only said that out of peer pressure, and didn't really mean it.
https://www.newsweek.com/malcolm-gladwel...ts-2123798
At this point I'd say we have no reason to believe anything he says at all.
But it points to an issue that faces Americans who wish to be popular. According to NBC News, "75% of American adults said they do not believe trans women should be permitted to participate in female sports." So spineless opportunists like Gladwell have to choose between supporting what's right or supporting what's popular.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politic...rcna203658
It will be interesting to see what happens with whichever spineless opportunist the Democrats nominate in the next presidential election. The Dems have put trans rights front and center among their issues. In fact it's one of the few things where they genuinely seem to differ from Republicans. But if the next candidate wants to win an election, he or she will probably have to waffle.
Bill Clinton could do this -- his Sister Souljah moment showed that he could distance himself from unpopular views without alienating his base. (For example, it would be possible to speak against Lilly Contino taking video of women using the restroom, without condemning the right of trans women to use the ladies' room. This would appear to criticize only those who go too far.) It remains to be seen whether future Dems will be able to do something like this on the trans issue. The alternative would be to accept that they are morally right but will lose elections, until the current generation or two has died off and the next generation comes around to correct moral beliefs.
https://www.newsweek.com/malcolm-gladwel...ts-2123798
At this point I'd say we have no reason to believe anything he says at all.
But it points to an issue that faces Americans who wish to be popular. According to NBC News, "75% of American adults said they do not believe trans women should be permitted to participate in female sports." So spineless opportunists like Gladwell have to choose between supporting what's right or supporting what's popular.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politic...rcna203658
It will be interesting to see what happens with whichever spineless opportunist the Democrats nominate in the next presidential election. The Dems have put trans rights front and center among their issues. In fact it's one of the few things where they genuinely seem to differ from Republicans. But if the next candidate wants to win an election, he or she will probably have to waffle.
Bill Clinton could do this -- his Sister Souljah moment showed that he could distance himself from unpopular views without alienating his base. (For example, it would be possible to speak against Lilly Contino taking video of women using the restroom, without condemning the right of trans women to use the ladies' room. This would appear to criticize only those who go too far.) It remains to be seen whether future Dems will be able to do something like this on the trans issue. The alternative would be to accept that they are morally right but will lose elections, until the current generation or two has died off and the next generation comes around to correct moral beliefs.
