The Me Too Movement and Boys being Boys

I watched with the world today as Brett Kavanaugh, the Supreme Court nominee, and Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, gave testimony in regards to the rape allegations against Kavanaugh. It's a moment in history that I will never forget, and one that I hope changes the tide in the way that we view survivors who come forward.

Let me say this, I have never been raped, I have never been forced to do anything against my will and I hope to never know the pain those people go through in that instance and every day after that.

What I have dealt with is men thinking they have the right to grab parts of my body when I've been out at a bar. What I have dealt with is men thinking they have the right to tell me what clothing is appropriate for my body. What I have dealt with, in both personal and professional settings, is men throwing tantrums and getting angry because I do not bow before them and their ideas.

And to be clear, it's more often than not, WHITE PRIVILEGED men. The Senate hearing saw an uproar from none other than white...privileged...men.

What I Believe

I'll be upfront and honest, I believe Blasey Ford. She gave a compelling testimony, she has called for further investigation, she has passed a polygraph, and she answered every question from the Senate with grace. She has nothing to gain from this, and quite frankly, has been embarrassed and ridiculed further for coming forward. Kavanaugh, on the other hand, tiptoed around answers, refuses to accept an FBI investigation, and showed us all how he will neither be bipartisan or handle his emotions if he is appointed to the Supreme Court.

Rage In the Room

There were several explosions in the courtroom. Senators feeling like this is another "witch hunt" and that this hearing is ruining Kavanaugh's reputation. Lindsey Graham was the most outraged of all saying "this is the most unethical sham since I've been in politics." Well Senator Graham; I think you might need a refresher on the 19 women who accused our president of sexual misconduct. And Sen. Graham wasn't the only one to have an outburst or refuse to think that a woman could possibly be telling the truth, but I saw a great quote from a Bustle article:

" The rage isn't about being unfairly accused. It's about being asked any questions at all. "

While this wasn't so much rage as it was absurd, Sen. Orrin Hatch said this: "I don't think she's uncredible. I think she an attractive, good witness." Asked what he meant, Hatch said, "In other words, she's pleasing." You're a senator that just listened to a full day of testimony in regards to a woman's sexual assault that she endured as a teenager....comments about her appearance are pretty tone deaf don't you think?!

Kavanaugh showed his fair share of rage and tears. He said something to the effect of, "the consequences of this are going to last decades." And I hope he's right. I hope everyone that watched this realizes the fear and trauma that sexual assault victims go through. I hope the political world realizes how insensitive and wrong they are when they brush off these allegations. I hope we start hearing out these women and men and take these things seriously. Raping someone says a lot about your moral compass, and either Republican or Democrat, I don't want them representing me or making political decisions on behalf of me.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, call the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit online.rainn.org.