We believe Christine Blasey Ford.
We believe her because according to the US Department of Justice, every 98 seconds a person is sexually assaulted in this country;
We believe her because less than 3 out of 100 rapes are ever resolved with a conviction;
We believe her because we live in a misogynist culture characterized by entitlement, unequal distribution of power, and lack of responsibility for harmful behaviors;
We believe her because she knew that disclosing this would make her the target of vicious attacks on her reputation, her family, and that she feared “annihilation at the hands of Congress and the media”;
We believe her because for some people it’s easier to believe him than her, even though he’s had any number of items he’s said or testified to as being shown to be verifiably false or misleading;
We believe her because if Brett Kavanaugh were a 17 year old black man when this had happened, he wouldn’t be dismissed a “young kid” who did “stupid things”;
We believe her because telling 17 year old boys today, in 2018, that it’s no big deal to get drunk and try to rape girls – it’s just young, stupid kid stuff – is irresponsible, reprehensible and quite frankly dangerous; and
We believe her because while it might not have had an impact on his life, no big deal, being a stupid kid, it has had a lifetime of impacts on her life because that’s how trauma works.
We appreciate that this week’s vote has been delayed, but so far only one hearing has been scheduled before the Senate Judiciary Committee. As of right now, only Dr. Blasey Ford and Mr. Kavanaugh will be testifying, and concerning reports are surfacing about strategies that are being considered in terms of how the questioning will be handled (i.e. Mr. Kavanaugh’s attorney being allowed to question Dr. Blasey Ford, instead of the Senators themselves). Attacks on Dr. Blasey Ford’s character are already being shared; millions of dollars in ads are going to run saying that she is a liar and an angry feminist; and the President of the United States is saying that Mr. Kavanaugh is a “nice guy who doesn’t deserve this”.
Justices confirmed to The Supreme Court of the United States, enshrined with a lifetime appointment, at a bare minimum require thoughtful, fully informed and vetted consideration by the US Senate.
