“I am not here because I want to be.”
These were the words spoken by Christine Blasey Ford in her opening statement to the Senate Judiciary Committee about her allegations of sexual assault against Brett Kavanaugh on Thursday, Sept. 27.
Continuing with her statement, Ford said, “I am terrified. I am here because I believe it is my civic duty to tell you what happened to me while Brett Kavanaugh and I were in high school.”
And love him or hate him, Kavanaugh might become a Supreme Court justice.
Even if he doesn’t get confirmed, he is still in a very powerful position as a federal judge for one of the most important courts in the country, only second to the Supreme Court.
Kavanaugh was selected to the Supreme Court because of his prominence on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. According to the Center for American Progress, the D.C. Circuit has sole responsibility for deciding cases having to do with the balance of powers of the branches of government and decisions made by government agencies affecting issues like health care, national security, environmental rules, and consumer protections and workplace safety.
If he doesn’t get a seat on the Supreme Court, he resumes work at one of the most influential courts in the country.
This article isn’t about whether I believe Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, Debbie Ramirez, or Julie Swetnick, because I do. I also believe Anita Hill. The allegations surrounding Kavanaugh unleashes a bigger question: Can people who have allegedly sexually assaulted someone go on to live normal lives, and make decisions that enable their past mistakes to be repeated?
Unfortunately, the answer to this is yes.
Because Brock Turners grow up to be people like Brett Kavanaugh and Clarence Thomas, who make the rules for Brock Turners, who walk away with no consequences and eventually become very powerful people. These people are enablers.
And the sad part? The sad part is that we know all of their names. In their publicity, they have, in some sickening, sense, become the victim.
We shouldn’t know their names. They shouldn’t have become celebrities and public figures. In Kavanaugh’s hearing on Thursday, Sept. 27, he said, “My family and my name have been totally and permanently destroyed by a vicious and false accusation,”
If Kavanaugh thinks his life is ruined, he should ask one of the 321,500 victims, who according to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), are raped and sexually assaulted each year. He is not the victim here.
I am here today not because I want to be. I am terrified. I am here because I believe it is my civic duty to tell you what happened to me while Brett Kavanaugh and I were in high school,
— Christine Blasey Ford
At one point in the hearings, Kavanaugh appeared to be lashing out at the Senators questioning him, calling the hearings a “national disgrace,” and demanding that the senators questioning him “let him finish.”
In her hearing, Ford appeared calm and collected, respectful of the committee before her. Ford said in her opening statement, “It is not my responsibility to determine whether Mr. Kavanaugh deserves to sit on the Supreme Court. My responsibility is to tell the truth,”
Ford was calm during her hearing because she had to be.
Even though Kavanaugh is the one who has allegedly committed these wrongdoings, he was allowed to get angry because no one seems to be questioning his credibility in this situation as much as they question her credibility.
Just as much as Kavanaugh insists on his innocence, I will insist that he is not the victim here.
If you have experienced sexual assault, please know that there is help out there. The RAINN Sexual Assault Hotline can be reached 24 hours a day at 800-656-HOPE for safe, confidential help.
leah shear • Oct 13, 2018 at 5:26 pm
such a good article! proud of u nina
Andy • Sep 27, 2018 at 9:18 pm
I listened to it all day, and you expressed my take very well.