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What you say about Caster Semenya will influence your Daughter

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Caster Semenya is in the news again. 

Again. 

And not because she is a blistering athlete, who runs world record times. Not because she is a champion competing in the Olympics. 

Nope. That ugly part of humanity has reared up again as she whooshes past the spectators on the running track. 

That part of humanity , the one thinks it's OK to dehumanise and humiliate a young women in public by discussing her gentialia and body parts . 

Funny how all the armchair experts are more annoyed by this young lady than they are by actual drug cheats. 

Funny that. 

There is something more important that taking a side in the Caster Semenya debate, and that is choosing not to participate in the debate at all.

Especially if you have daughters. 

Because what you say about Caster Semenya, will do more damage to your daughter and her self image than anything any other person or the media can throw at you. 

Caster Semenya was subjected to humiliating reports on her gender. Her genitalia and biology were discussed as if she were some kind of lab rat, with about as much expectation of privacy and respect. 

I was disgusted 4 years ago, and I am equally as disgusted today as I read that the biggest headlines are whether or not she should compete , despite the IAAF, and CAS rulings that she can compete. 

It's very telling to me that none of the other Female Athletes who have naturally elevated testosterone levels even come close to the level of scrutiny as she does. In fact I can't even name one without googling it - seriously, that is how prolific and targeted the hatred is for Caster. 

So - the next time you see a Caster Semenya story, remember that she was only 18 when she was subjected to world wide ridicule, and ask yourself if your daughter would stand up to that level of vitriol because of how her body looked and worked. 

You can try your hardest to tell your daughter that body shaming is wrong. You can try your darnedest to instill in her, a love of self , and confidence to withstand the bullies of the world. 
And all of it will mean nothing if you participate in demeaning and dehumanizing Caster Semenya. 

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