Brett Kavanaugh's Confirmation is Rape Culture Personified
Start writing a post
Politics

Brett Kavanaugh's Confirmation Is Rape Culture Personified

Republican Senators don't care about women. Why should you?

318
Brett Kavanaugh's Confirmation Is Rape Culture Personified
@mspackyetti on Twitter

Unless you live under a rock, you've probably been forced to follow the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation hearings. If you didn't watch the hearings on TV like I, the recovering political junkie, did, then you probably saw hot takes and opinions on Twitter. Don't have Twitter, and thought you could escape it? Nope! Most people I follow on Instagram (including me...) had tweets, quotes and hot takes as well from the hearings, particularly the strength and awe-inspiring testimony from Dr. Ford on their stories. Don't have Instagram or Twitter, and have no idea what I'm talking about? Oh hunny, it's time to log into Facebook, the cesspool of fake news and people screaming about things they haven't bothered to even read.

That's a long way of saying: everyone has an opinion on Brett Kavanaugh, and most of them do not involve his leanings politically. If Brett Kavanaugh is confirmed, 1/3 of the men on the Supreme Court of these grand United States will have been publicly accused of sexual assault and/or harassment. If that bothers you, congratulations. You have a more attuned moral compass than the Republican Senators participating in these hearings.



Alright, maybe that's not quite fair. The Republican Senators, however, have made it abundantly clear that they are behind their nominee for the Supreme Court, despite these allegations of sexual misconduct. My number one question around this unrelenting support: there are plenty of judges with similar qualifications, identical viewpoints, and probably an identical personality, so why stick so aggressively to one that has been accused of sexual misconduct? Why, in 2018, after so many politicians were taken down by allegations of misconduct, are they sticking to Kavanaugh like gum on the bottom of my shoe?

I want so desperately to believe that it isn't because they don't believe in rape, that it isn't because they believe that Dr. Ford is trying to push her own political agenda, or wants fame. I want so desperately to believe that it's something that we aren't privy to, but the signs are pointing towards Republican Senators hating women with such a passion that they are willing to overlook all these accusations, all these signs that point toward a man who has abused women for decades.


Glennon Doyle's Twitter account

And that here is the problem. Brett Kavanaugh not immediately being dismissed when these allegations came up is exactly what rape culture has morphed into in 2018: Men in power dismissing the claims of sexual assault survivors in order to advance other powerful men. Rape culture in this culture is the fact that Republican Senators don't even believe their own claim that they don't believe Dr. Ford. It doesn't matter whether or not they believe her: what matters is that they don't care. They don't care that their nominee was accused of sexual misconduct. Because Kavanaugh didn't just sexually harass Dr. Ford, but in a sworn affidavit has been accused of drugging girls at parties with his friends, and would wait in line to gang rape them. How can you hear that, and just not care?


This is rape culture in 2018, and if the Senate confirms Kavanaugh, they are sending a message to every survivor of abuse and sexual misconduct a clear and irreversible message about how this country feels about what happened to them. We need to do better than this.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
the beatles
Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned.

71005
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

132572
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments