Caster runs for Brooklyn
shot in Brooklyn NY outside of Cheryl’s Global Soul & That’s My Jam @ LIttlefields. a surge of support for caster semenya!
You Are Loved
You have supporters worldwide, so please know even in your darkest moments know that you are loved.
Run for Us All!
Whoever thought that winning races was only about chromosomes or hormones? Certainly these things can help. But being a world class athlete is so much more. It is about discipline, rigorous training, strategy, and mental and physical toughness. In the case of mid-distance running, it is about pushing the human body and spirit past the limits of exertion, all this while not getting injured. It is about support from friends, family, and society so that you get to races and to practice and past the pain of defeat.
Whatever the traits Caster possesses by her birth biology, she achieved world class success not necessarily because of these traits but in spite of them. Many people born with disorders of sex development (DSDs), suffer social stress, alienation, isolation, and fear. Athletes who must expose their bodies as a way of life are particularly vulnerable. Many could turn to drink or solitary life to escape other people knowing who they are. In almost all cases, they suffer from the pain of the inability to bear children. Caster made it as far as she did because of extraordinary strength and support, the stuff of champions.
By running, Caster exemplifies the spirit of international competition. Such competitions are about pride in nation, pride in people, and pride in achievement. They are about breaking down barriers that arise from difference and ignorance. Now they need to break down barriers created by limited notions of the human body.
Caster also embodies the height of female form and beauty. She is femaleness raised to a refined level, stripped of some traits and endowed with others. She is showing the success and wonder of femaleness.
Social scientists point out that our own species’ survival requires the existence of people who are not childbearing, such as people with sex development disorders, because such individuals help raise and nurture our young. So, people who have DSDs are part of us. Whatever Caster’s situation, she is the product of her people and an extension of who we all are. She is part of us.
I am proud to see Caster run. I want to see her win as many international competitions as she is permitted to win for as long as her wonderful body lets her.
Caster
I have followed your story from when it started. I am one of your biggest fans and supporters. I also live in Pretoria. All I want to say is you know and I know as a South African that South Africa will support you no matter what, that is certain.We know that you are God’s creation and we accept you wholeheartedly.
You are an outstanding human being. I really admire your positive attitude even though I can imagine how hard it is for you and also how young you are. For that I SALUTE YOU. I was so delighted and happy when I read that you have passed your first semester.
Keep being you, do whatever feels comfortable with you.
You are and will always be Mzantsi’s(South Africa’s) golden girl
We Embrace You, Caster!!
“A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feeling as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all and the whole of nature in its beauty.” (Albert Einstein)
Please continue to run for us! And always remember, you’re not alone; our hearts/souls are running with you!
God Bless
NeeCee Murphy
Caster,
I dont know you or know what you think of all this, but I’ve following your story since it began to be widely reported on. I’m just writing to say that I am so proud of, and of your family, and proud of your country. You are beautiful and talented, your family is loyal and caring and your government has spoken up for you. I do hope, though, that one day, we will know more of what you think about all of this, about your childhood from your perspective and your hopes and dreams for the future. (I’m not sure that the magazine article told your whole story.) I hope that no matter what happens, you continue to grow up happily and healthfully, with all of the love and support you deserve. And finally, thank you to the people who made this site. I’ve been sad about this weeks, trying to figure out what I could or should do — thank goodness there are people in the world smarter and more creative than me!
Please Be Strong!!
You have millions of people supporting you! We are here in spirit & in prayer! We love and support you!!
Caster Runs for All of Us
Dear Caster Semenya,
I won’t pretend to know what you’re going through. I have never been a successful athlete. I have never been famous. I have never had millions of people picking apart the way I look to “prove” something.
But I have had people question my gender, and very rudely. I can begin to understand how that feels. People are hostile about gender, my friend, and they will be cruel, entitled and shitty about it. Because they can, and they feel justified in asking you personal questions about your lifestyle, your genitals and your sexual habits.
For you, there is even an extra step: they’re testing you. They are invading your body in a personal way, and I bet you’re trying to find a way to fight back. I think I’d want to, as well.
But I want to tell you this: you do not have to prove anything to them. You are in a different situation than I was/am and I understand that.
But if you feel you are a woman, then woman you are. You are an incredible athlete, you have a family that’s backing you up, and I bet you’ve got a lot of fans that are sticking by you whether or not your chromosomes are XX. You don’t have to wear a dress, makeup, fancy hairstyles, or glittery things to be a woman.
Of course, if you want to do these things, go right ahead. You are allowed to wear anything you like and still be a woman if that’s how you feel.
Your body and your identity is yours. I’m sure it’s shaken right now (who wouldn’t be a little perturbed by all of what you’re going through?), but remember that you have to own it. Try your hardest not to let them take that away from you. I’m rooting for you, and I’ll bet you’ve got a lot more transgendered allies than just me that are feeling your pain. I imagine the trans community might have some good advice for learning to deal with rude people and their entitled attitudes about your body.
Best wishes,
Megan Ewert
For strength
Dear Caster Semenya,
I won’t pretend to know what you’re going through. I have never been a successful athlete. I have never been famous. I have never had millions of people picking apart the way I look to “prove” something.
But I have had people question my gender, and very rudely. I can begin to understand how that feels. People are hostile about gender, my friend, and they will be cruel, entitled and shitty about it. Because they can, and they feel justified in asking you personal questions about your lifestyle, your genitals and your sexual habits.
For you, there is even an extra step: they’re testing you. They are invading your body in a personal way, and I bet you’re trying to find a way to fight back. I think I’d want to, as well.
But I want to tell you this: you do not have to prove anything to them. You are in a different situation than I was/am and I understand that.
But if you feel you are a woman, then woman you are. You are an incredible athlete, you have a family that’s backing you up, and I bet you’ve got a lot of fans that are sticking by you whether or not your chromosomes are XX. You don’t have to wear a dress, makeup, fancy hairstyles, or glittery things to be a woman.
Of course, if you want to do these things, go right ahead. You are allowed to wear anything you like and still be a woman if that’s how you feel.
Your body and your identity is yours. I’m sure it’s shaken right now (who wouldn’t be a little perturbed by all of what you’re going through?), but remember that you have to own it. Try your hardest not to let them take that away from you. I’m rooting for you, and I’ll bet you’ve got a lot more transgendered allies than just me that are feeling your pain. I imagine the trans community might have some good advice for learning to deal with rude people and their entitled attitudes about your body.
Best wishes,
Megan Ewert
CASTER YOU ARE A STAR
No matter what happens – know that you are a supreme talent and a beautiful woman. Don’t let this strange little world get you down. You have much living to do and when all this fades away – it will be you living, loving and moving through your wonderful life. BE STRONG because you are already beautiful and fast!
We’re all in this together
Dear Caster,
There are many of us, in different forms, who don’t fit the sex and gender boxes. I’m one too. It’s not easy, but it does get easier, and it gives you insight and compassion not everyone has. There are many, many people supporting you and rooting for you. Don’t let the small-minded people get you down.
Jarvis
Winnipeg, Canada
For Caster Semenya
Hello Caster-
We wrote this for you but not to you. You are amazing and wonderful and we felt we needed to address the folks who couldn’t see your light.
May you feel our collective love from around the world!
http://4castersemenya.blogspot.com/
You are strong and beautiful
Your long and powerful stride is also graceful. In you is a balance of the male and female. In another time this balance would have been understood, in deed celebrated. I celebrate you.
Caster Runs For Me
When you are majestic people try to bring you down
Hi Caster
I’m a person who is very male in appearance but female identified. It means I walk this earth truly in two different ways. Sometimes I get annoyed by the second looks when I head into public washrooms and sometimes even scared when I pass by a group of men who are also giving me a second glance. But I will tell you those annoyances are well worth the insight/perspective I have into the male and female sides of human nature. Humans view gender simply. You are either male or female and that’s it. Well that’s not the truth – not by a long shot. Much like sexuality, gender has a curved spectrum from the masculine of males to the feminine of femals and all that curves in between. You are not as different as you think – except for the fact that you can run like a cheetah and therefore have gotten the world’s attention. It must be soooo hard to be sooo examined when all you want to do is be the best you can. Truly, I believe you should be able to run as a woman if you have always been identified as such. It is short minded of anyone in this world who stops you from running because of your gender. All I can say is keep running no matter what. Keep doing what you love. You are supported and cared for from many people around the world. This challenge in your life is huge but you are a brave person and you will see when you raise your head high, accept all that is you, and don’t back down for anything that life will provide you with many rewards – including an abundance of new friends.
I’m with you
take care
xo
Flare
I Feel for Caster
Please read this article I wrote to support Caster and educate the media and public
Best wishes,
Sarah
www.sarahgrahamsolutions.com
