Hey guys, I know I haven't written in a while. Life, you know.
Anyway, I want to talk about what's on my mind right now and what's probably on your minds too: Brett Kavanaugh. Specifically, the sexual assault allegations. Of course, I could also talk about my strong disagreements with Kavanaugh, and my fears that he could vote to overturn Roe v. Wade, and marriage equality, vote against gun control, against unions, and we could pretty much kiss goodbye any chances of overturning Citizens United. But you know all that. I want now to specifically address the rape allegations. Specifically, two questions:
1) Did the rape happen?
Well, we can't know for sure, at least not yet. But my gut says yes. First of all, Christine Basely Ford talked about the rape in documented notes to her therapist, (though she did explicitly say Kavanaugh's name), as far back as 2012. Also, word just broke that a couple of Yale law professors advised their female students to jazz up their looks when they applied to work for Kavanaugh, saying that Kavanaugh "likes a certain look." This doesn't look good.
Secondly, and this is what leaders of the #MeToo movement have been screaming for ages, victims have nothing to gain by making allegations up. When people like Ford come forward, they are scrutinized heavily by lawmakers, the media, and the public. Often times, they are threatened and harassed. Ford has already received death threats. People sometimes say that women like her just come forward for attention and fame, but how many accusers do you know that got long term fame and careers from coming forward? I can't think of any. Yet how many accused predators in politics, Hollywood, journalism, and business still work today? I'm sure you've already thought of one.
Also, to anyone who tries to discredit Ford by pointing out her foggy memory or supposed gaps in her story, know that trauma effects memory, and memory only gets more hazy over time.
2) Is it fair to condemn a man in his 50s for what he did at age 17?
This is a fair question. And I admit, it was the first thing that came to my mind when I first heard the allegations. But these two articles touch on this point well.
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2018/09/me-too/570520/
http://www.notsorryfeminism.com/2018/09/now-heres-trump-jr-being-absolute-cockwaffle.html
Both of these authors rightly point out that if Kavanaugh is indeed guilty, he has never dealt with what he did. Kavanaugh has never even admitted that he did it, let alone apologized for it, let alone done anything to make amends, let alone been held accountable for his actions in any way. While I firmly believe in redemption, especially from wrongs you committed in your youth, you must own up to what you did before you can be forgiven. If Kavanaugh did indeed rape Ford, he has never fessed up, therefore he remains unredeemed. I, and many others, have strong reservations about confirming an unredeemed rapist to the supreme court.
In addition, as we've seen time and time again with these men, it's rarely just once. Don't be surprised if more stories about Kavanaugh come out later on.
So, what should we do? Well, the obvious next step is for Christine Basely Ford to testify on Capitol Hill under oath. Then we take it from there. Which way will the evidence point? Will Kavanaugh be confirmed? Only time will tell. But we must take this seriously. In this era of countless predators exposed, shoving allegations under the rug is not an option.
-Jack
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