Enough

This week the world watched and wept as Christine Blasey Ford gave yet another account of a man’s disgusting play of power over a woman. Once again, the United States is under the spotlight, and the deceitful, dark truth of our so-called justice system reveals itself. When I listened to Ford’s words, my heart broke for what feels like the hundredth time. I felt for every man who thought it was his right to grab my ass and whisper demeaning words into my ear. I felt for every friend I’ve known who has been a victim of molestation or rape. I felt for my female students, many who have been subjected to shame and peer pressure. I cried...and I felt.

Then it was Kavanaugh’s turn to speak, and my sadness turned to rage. Every word he spat out felt so personal. The most painful part of it all was his sense of righteousness. Kavanaugh's demeanor was that of so many men I've seen. One who finds no wrongdoing in his actions, no reflection on his effect on others. His speech defines the issue with our society. Of course, he came out angry, loud, and ready to blame others. It is how so many men pursue and maintain power.

When I was in high school, my mother showed me a Ted Talk by Sheryl Sandberg, called Why We Have Too Few Women Leaders. The main takeaway was that men tell themselves they made it to the top through their own hard work, with their own two hands. Men take action, give no apologies, and move on. Women, on the other hand, attribute their success to the support they received along the way. Women don’t acknowledge ownership of their achievements because that would come across as arrogant or bossy, while men take in the glory and are praised for it. I look at my mom and feel so proud to be her daughter. My mother worked her way up to become Senior Vice President of an international company through her strategic, innovative thinking and she was appreciated for her work. She is the most honest, direct, and passionate person I know. Even after years of leadership, my mother still had to fight her own battles against a workforce that was too eager to side with men. I watched that video nearly nine years ago, and now I am here watching a Senate who is also too eager to agree with an unmistakably corrupt man.

It is evident that Kavanaugh denies because he wants his position of power. However, that is not the scariest part of this matter. The much deeper, more terrifying reality is Kavanaugh undoubtedly doesn’t think he has done anything wrong. Our society so often acts in this political charade, pretending to acknowledge and care about these matters and yet the perpetration of these crimes happens again and again. The fact that there is still the slightest consideration for Kavanaugh’s position is horrific. The fact that most women who speak of rape are immediately regarded as having an ulterior motive is horrific. The fact that we voted for a president who openly objectifies, dismisses, and indignifies women is horrific. Our world is asking, how did we get here? I am not. We didn’t get here. We’ve been here, and now it is finally erupting to the political surface.

This past year has been a defining moment in our country’s history. The election of Trump divided our society and people began to speak out on both sides. Black Lives Matter begged for justice, and our country revealed it’s racism. Syria’s refugees turned to a nation built on immigrants, and our country revealed it’s ignorance. A woman representing one of the thousands told her scarring story, and our country revealed it’s discrimination. The political situation in our country has exposed the people's beliefs. Many are frustrated that one’s political position has become a defining part of one’s identity, causing relentless Facebook feuds and ending longtime friendships. My question is why? Why have we for far too long skirted around critical topics such as human rights? Because it’s awkward to disagree? Because my friendship with that person is founded on our love of something trivial and I don’t want to confront more serious matters? That is no excuse. If you are unwilling to give up your right to own a gun after the hundreds of lives lost in school shootings, then I want to know. If you believe that all Muslims are extremists and terrorists, then I want to know. For too long we have been complacent in our country’s faults, turning a blind eye to inequitable persecutions and unjust circumstances. I am done being polite around those whom I strongly disagree with on vital issues such as these. Our nation's divide will not be mended if we continue to ignore it.The silver lining to all of this political mayhem is that finally our country is being forced to acknowledge these deep rifts.

Now is the time to make change happen. Don’t let this event wash over and become yet another tragic mark on our history. Don’t be angry and then let that anger diminish. Too often we are fueled by the immediacy of our country’s negative moments. When Trump was elected, thousands of women marched in protest, but over time the momentum slowed down. Effective change will come from continuous efforts. Let us not forget this feeling. Our country’s long-scarred wounds have been torn open, so let us take this opportunity to properly heal them.

.Photo by Rux Centea on Unsplash ​

#political #women #feminism