The web is abuzz with news that Caster Semenya, the South African running sensation may be a hermaphrodite. There had been controversy over her gender before the leaks from British and Australian papers, which is why gender tests were done on the rising star in the first place. People had noted her thick build, her deep voice, and her lack of "feminine" qualities and accused the 18 year-old of being a man masquerading as a woman. Turns out the truth is not so simple.
What I dislike about all the coverage on this topic is how people are saying that this news could devastate and embarrass her. She could want to kill herself because of it. Yes, it is terrible that it was told to the whole world instead of in private, but does that mean that she should be ashamed of it? So she has male sex organs. So what? There are other people in the world who are born the same way and they live normal lives.
It makes you wonder; the way people are putting it, feeling sorry for her, is it because in some way they consider her to be a freak? Do they think that she must need to define herself one way or the other, or die?
If they could just stop seeing things in such a black and white manner, and instead view her as a unique human being with the special gift to live life on both sides of the human spectrum, they might just see her situation as fortunate instead of as pitiful. Perhaps she gets the best of both worlds.
I would hope that Semanya feels that way. And perhaps maybe a little relieved to know why she isn't like all the rest of the girls.
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