Memories can haunt people forever, especially when they are related to other people. Only those with the utmost confidence and courage can share these nightmares with others. One woman, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, was brave enough to share her experience of sexual assault with the whole country.
September has been full of talk about Brett Kavanaugh, a conservative who is under Trump’s wing. He has been hand-picked by the president to run for a position in the Supreme Court. He was already scoffed at by millions, who despised his radical ideas; but when Dr. Christine Blasey Ford stepped up and accused Kavanaugh of sexual assault in high school, the country went wild.
“I think this event affects the overall voice of women in society and even the government. Women who are affected by sexual assault and are sexual assault victims have a fear of speaking out for the very reason of: “well what if they don’t believe me, or if I get fired for saying something?” These type of reasons shouldn’t even come up, but because of the silence that men of higher power have put on women, they have the mentality of the negative outcome of speaking out,” Jamila Rahim , sophomore, explained.
Following the accusations, Kavanaugh gave twenty-two minutes of emotional testimony, denying every accusation thrown his way. He claimed he never sexually assaulted anyone, even though he expressed his love for beer.
“The Kavanaugh case really made me think that there was some peak of hope for our Supreme Court. I, myself, believe that the influence of women in the government is very important, and seeing that the election of a man who even had allegations in the first place with proof of these allegations was confirmed, made me lose all hope I had from the beginning,” Angeluz Morrillo, sophomore, said.
Despite the accusation, poor reputation and unstable temperament, Kavanaugh was still confirmed as the newest Supreme Court Justice. As a result of the vote, Washington D.C. saw hundred of protestors- ranging from sexual abuse survivors to those opposed to the brutal upcoming power grab.
“The protesters in D.C. really inspired me. I wish I could’ve been by their side. The first thing that came to mind for me when I saw the arrests was of course the Civil Rights movement. All that mattered for them was doing the right thing for their people, and that really showed with the protesters in D.C.”, Rahim explained.
This turn of events has left citizens around the country, especially women, shattered. Although the case is over and Kavanaugh is enlisted in the court, the people’s fight is just beginning.
“I think our country needs to wake up and fight for what’s right; we as a people are still in shackles, it’s time for our voices to be heard.” Rahim commented.