Thank You, Judge Aquilina For Being A Warrior For All Women
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Politics and Activism

Thank You, Judge Aquilina For Being A Warrior For All Women

She just signed your death warrant, Larry Nassar.

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Thank You, Judge Aquilina For Being A Warrior For All Women
CNN

Do you remember the name Brock Turner?

Of course you do, because it's impossible to forget the boy who raped an unconscious woman and was only sentenced to six months behind bars.

Do you remember the name Judge Persky?

Of course you do, because it's impossible to forget the man who gave Turner that sentencing.

Last year, the world was outraged when Turner was only sentenced to six months behind bars after being convicted of three felonies: "assault with intent to commit rape of an intoxicated or unconscious person, penetration of an intoxicated person, and penetration of an unconscious person." Despite facing up to 14 years in prison, Persky gave Turner a slap on the wrist with the lenient sentence, saying, "A prison sentence would have a severe impact on him. I think he will not be a danger to others.”

Turner only served three months in jail.

After Turner's sentencing, I couldn't help but wonder what the hell was wrong with our society, and if there was such a thing as a "justice system," because justice was not served in Brock Turner's case.

Brock Turner's case was one of many examples of the unfair advantage it is to be a woman in today's society. Often viewed as "weaker" of the two genders, women have had to fight for equal rights for too long. We may be in the 21st century, but our society is portrayed as if we're still living in the early 20th century, with unfinished fights for unequal pay, sexual harassment in the workplace, and sexual assault.

In an era where sexual predators who have been hiding in the shadows are being brought to light every day - from Harvey Weinstein to Mark Schwahn and so on - women have been given hope, women have been given a voice, and women have shown the world that we are a force to be reckoned with. However, we need more than an interview in "The New York Times" to fix our ravaged society; we need government officials to stand up and put an end to this problem.

Had Judge Persky given Brock Turner the maximum sentence, putting an end to the unfair advantage of being an NCAA Division 1 athlete, the United States would have moved one step forward in the right direction. Because Turner was given such a light sentence, our country took four steps backward.

While accepting the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 75th Golden Globes, Oprah spoke the words that would predict the future for every woman in the United States: “I want all of the girls watching here now to know, that a new day is on the horizon.”

Indeed, there is.

On January 24, 2018, Judge Aquilina sentenced Larry Nassar to a minimum of 40 years in prison, with a maximum sentencing of 175 years (on top of the 60-year child pornography conviction he received prior to the hearing). He was charged with seven counts of criminal sexual conduct after abusing his medical license to sexually assault women for decades.

The famed USA Gymnastics, U.S. Olympic Committee, and Michigan State University "doctor" showed no remorse during the hearing. The somber look on his face only appeared after realizing that he was never going to walk out of prison alive.

"I just signed your death warrant," Judge Aquilina said.

Judge Aquilina is a warrior for women, becoming a fierce advocate for the survivors of Larry Nassar's wrongdoings. While some judges don't allow victim impact statements to be read aloud in their courtroom, Judge Aquilina opened the floor to any woman who wanted to be heard. The hearing was extended day-after-day to give any and every woman a chance to share her story. The original number of victim-impact statements was 88 but eventually led to 163 women reading their statements throughout the hearing. Judge Aquilina gave these women a voice, often encouraging the women after they spoke, saying things like, “The military has not yet come up with fiber as strong as you,” and “Leave your pain here and go out and do your magnificent things.”

Had someone else led this hearing, Larry Nassar might have avoided the sentence he deserved, and the fate that awaits him. Had someone like Judge Persky led this case, Nassar might have gotten a slap on the wrist, just like Brock Turner.

Judge Aquilina, thank you.

Thank you for being the voice of reason for our country.

Thank you for giving 163 survivors the chance to be heard.

Thank you for healing the wounds that these women have dealt with for decades.

Thank you for showing the world that sexual abuse will not be tolerated anymore, and that sexual predators will be exposed soon enough.

Thank you for being open, honest, and compassionate throughout the hearing, giving a fair trial, but realizing who the real perpetrator is.

Most importantly, thank you for giving Larry Nassar the sentence he deserved.

Judge Persky may have moved our country four steps backward when he sentenced Brock Turner to just six months in jail, but Judge Aquilina, you are proof that we are moving in the right direction.

Michigan State, take a good look at this women, because she is everything you need to aspire to be. She is wise, compassionate, and honest. She realized that Nassar is a criminal and gave him the sentence he deserved.

Michigan State, the fact that you are petitioning to dismiss all cases against you, insisting that you had no idea that you were employing a sexual predator or that Larry Nassar was abusing his medical license, YOU ARE THE PROBLEM, and YOU are one of the many reasons that our country is struggling to move forward. I am disgusted by the lies and the bullshit and you need to own up to your mistakes. Had you acknowledged the fact that this man is a criminal when you learned that he was abusing his medical license, you could have saved hundreds of girls from being sexually assaulted.

“There has to be a massive investigation as to why there was inaction. Why there was silence. Justice requires more than what I can do on this bench.”

She's talking about you, Michigan State. Own up to your mistakes.

Judge Aquilina, thank you for showing me what it means to be a compassionate and honorable woman. Like all of the women who were so brave to share their story, you are a hero.

Larry Nassar, you know the fate that awaits you. No amount of prayers or begging for forgiveness will dismiss you of your wrongdoings. Have fun in prison.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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