Diary of Systemic Injustices Showcase- Zaya Wade: Daughter of Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade

The fourth systemic injustice paper I wrote was an article from TIME titled, “‘We Had to Shut Up and Listen.’ What Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade Learned About Equality From Their Daughter Zaya” written by Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union. Both parents learned how the world is changing and it started with their daughter over the summer. They stated that they “projected our fears onto her” (Wade & Union) and how “sometimes the fiercest fight is against the person in the mirror and how you were raised” (Wade & Union). It took them time to understand what Zaya was informing them, they had to change their perception to gender roles, how they are different from when they were younger. To understand better, they listened to their daughter, they “reached out to black trans activist, advocates…[even] watched shows and documentaries like Pose, Euphoria and The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson” (Wade & Union). There are still many questions they are facing and trying to understand about certain topics. They had to change the outcomes they thought “of our faith or our upbringing” (Wade & Union). They want their children to come home and be who they are and know that they are available to talk to them and discuss anything they may have questions or concerns about.

For those who have been treated horrible for being who they are and expressing themselves is unacceptable. Everyone can learn and adopt to changes, and if that something that others can come to terms with, they should not be a part of the other persons’ life. Dwyane and Gabrielle thought the same way, they are not going to have people in their life would are abusive or discriminatory against anyone. This is a change in the world, and everyone should be more accepting of each other. Everyone needs to be a little nicer to each other and understand that we all are just trying to find who we are in this big world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AG9-Q6UabfQ 0:00-2:56

I feel as if this article can connect in many ways to many different readings so far. A concept that I find this relating to is that of the One and Other. There is information that can be learned and taught, you just have to have the mindset to view each side of the story. Union and Wade have lot that they learned from their daughter and are willing to branch out to topics of the same discussion and look at the different perspectives and outcomes that are being shared. In this case Union and Wade are the “Others” that see their daughter, the “One” perspective. It’s important to understand that we all identify differently and it shouldn’t matter what you identify as. Union and Wade are open and accepting of their daughter, and did their research and are now have a better understanding of the LBGTQ+ community, thanks to their daughter. You have to understand yourself first, and be confident, know who you can trust and share who you truly are. Relationships grow stronger as the “One” becomes themselves and  “Other” has to opportunity to learn and understand the “One.”

(CDC)

Works Cited

CDC. “Transgender Persons.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 29 Sept. 2020, www.cdc.gov/lgbthealth/transgender.htm.

The Ellen Show. “Dwyane Wade’s Candid Talk About SUpporthing His 12-Year-Old’s Gender Identity.” Online Video Clip. YouTube. YouTube, 11 Feb. 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AG9-Q6UabfQ.

Wade, Dwyane, and Gabrielle Union. “Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade on Supporting Zaya Wade.” Time, Time, 20 Feb. 2020, time.com/5783995/gabrielle-union-dwyane-wade-zaya/.