Mike Tyson stopped by Tuesday’s PBD Podcast (along with Michael Franzese) and had plenty of memorable moments.
Towards the end, Patrick asked for Tyson’s take on the Dylan Mulvaney-Bud Light situation. His answer might surprise you.
On the transgender community he said, “This ideology against this ideology. I guess they won. When you see all this, even at the end of the day, they get our sympathy.”
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It should be noted that Tyson’s daughter, Ramsey, considers self “transmasculine” and is non binary. Ramsey goes by the pro-nouns they and them. So Tyson has some direct experience with this subject, and has a deeper experience that most in the political chatter class simply don’t have.
He didn’t outright, completely disagree with all the issues some conservative activists have with the transgendered community. For example, Tyson wasn’t asked about hormone-changing gender therapy for kids, or for forcing trans awareness at a radically young age.
But, in terms of general ire towards the transgender community, Tyson is not on board. He did call the debate a fair fight, offering one of the most reasoned takes on this whole situation in the political talkosphere.
Tyson makes a point. The transgender community has been singled out — for better or worse — as a community by conservative activists. While it might be a stretch, a comparison can be made to the time when black people were singled out and subjected to discrimination. Tyson notes that once you pick a fight against a blanket group of individuals, you have already lost.
“This is what you don’t know. I think we know it, but we don’t want to say it. Are we fighting these people? Are we fighting these transgendered people? If we’re fighting them, if you’re fighting them, you’re not good fighters because you’ve already lost.”
When asked about Kid Rock’s video opposing Bud Light’s decision to put Mulvaney on their can, Tyson said, “We already lost. He’s wasting those bullets, he’s wasting that air shooting that commercial. If I would’ve seen that commercial, and we were talking, I’d have discussed my experience trying to intervene in that world.”
You can argue against his ideology, but you can’t argue against his direct experience. And you can’t argue that he’s not a great dad who loves his child.
“I love my daughter, if anybody failed her, I’d attempt to kill them. It’s just her life, I’m not gonna stop her from living her life, she’s not gonna stop me from living my life. But as a father, I’d always kill and die for her.”
Adam Sosnick asked if Tyson sees this as a David vs. Goliath battle, with the trans community standing in for David, the underdog.
“Yes, and David won.”
This is a point conservative activists should take note of. Do they look plain mean just going after the trans community for their appearance and decisions? Do they look like bullies? Does it paint the trans community as the underdogs since they’re so small in numbers? Underdogs tend to get sympathy. Do the personal attacks on trans people in general cause the general public to ignore the more pressing issues?
“They’re a small army fighting a big army. Maybe some people in the big army are close with someone in the small army. Love is gonna overcome it all. I’m not gonna let anyone hurt my baby.” Tyson is simply asking for some nuance.
If conservatives are viewed as bigoted, their more reasoned arguments aiming to protect kids will be ignored. The argument is cheapened, because now those against the trans community are seen as reflexive attack dogs. Truth is lost in the argument. Conservatives painted themselves into a corner on this one, losing credibility when its needed the most.
If you want to hear more from Tyson and PBD, he’ll be with Patrick again at the 2023 Vault Conference Aug. 30 – Sept. 2. You can get your tickets here.
One thing is guaranteed if you come to see him. The champ won’t be boring, and he’ll get you to think critically, whether you like it or not.
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