Two Giant Steps Forward and One Step Back: Ketanji Brown Jackson and the Ten Year Anniversary of the Homicide of Trayvon Martin

One of the most potent and universal quotes from Martin Luther King Jr. is as follows:

The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.

Last Saturday, February 26th, was the ten-year anniversary of the murder of Trayvon Martin. Had his killer (who shall not be named on the blog) not decided to take the law into his own hands, young Mr. Martin would be 27. He might have graduated from high school and college, started a successful career, and perhaps said “I do” by now. But he will forever remain 17, a promising life full of possibilities that we can speak of in a hypothetical manner.

Though we cannot bring Travyon back to life or undo the acquittal of the man who was responsible for his killing, we can see look to our present and see where progress has been made. The men responsible for the executions of both George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery were found guilty of their respective crimes.

During the 2022 Presidential election, President Biden promised to nominate an African-American woman to the Supreme Court. On February 25th, he kept his promise. After Justice Stephen Breyer announced his upcoming retirement, Ketanji Brown Jackson was introduced to the country as his replacement.

This is one GIANT step forward. As both a woman and a person of color, Brown Jackson, represents the true nature and the potential of this nation. With March being Women’s History Month and this coming Tuesday being International Women’s Day, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our wins and identify where there is more work to be done.

Of course, not everyone welcomed her with open arms. Her legal abilities and history were questioned by some Republicans (no surprise there). The obvious inquiry is if Amy Coney Barrett and Brett Kavanaugh had to face the same criticism. Probably not. My hope and prayer is that not only will she sit on the highest court of the land, but also that she will help to create the America that we know is possible.

May the memory of Trayvon Martin, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, etc, be a blessing and a reminder of how far we need to go.

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Believing: Our Thirty-Year Journey to End Gender Violence Book Review

In 1991, when Anita Hill testified that that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas sexually harassed her, it was nothing short of earth shattering. Instead of letting the shame destroy her or pretend that it never happened, she took her case to Congress. This brave choice opened the door for victims of similar acts to get justice and ensure that the perpetrators got what they deserved.

Dr. Hill’s new book, Believing: Our Thirty-Year Journey to End Gender Violence, was published in September. Building on her very personal history of experiencing gender violence, she explores such subjects such as bullying, rape, the constant threat to the LGBTQ community, and the mind blowing comparison to the Brett Kavanaugh hearings. In speaking openly about such topics that are often buried under the rug or not taken seriously, she is challenging the reader to speak up, speak out, and ensure that these injustices are finally given the spotlight they should have received a long time ago.

This book is nothing short of mind blowing. If there was ever a fire lit under our collective behinds, this book is the match. Thirty years ago, Dr. Hill opened the door, broke barriers, and inspired multiple generations of activists to stand on her impressive shoulders. She got the ball rolling, it is now up to us to finish the job.

Do I recommend it? Absolutely.

The Education of Brett Kavanaugh: An Investigation Book Review

Unless one is a diehard political junkie, the confirmation process of potential Supreme Court judges is an event that can be missed. But the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh last year was must-see TV. The sexual assault allegations made by Christine Blasey Ford made viewers and those in the halls of power ask if Judge Kavanaugh was truly up to the task at hand.

The new book, The Education of Brett Kavanaugh: An Investigation, by New York Times writers Kate Kelly and Robin Pogrebin, is more than the story of Judge Kavanaugh. It is a mirror that reveals the truth that America is a divided nation, politically, socially and culturally. While telling the story of Judge Kavanaugh’s life, Kelly and Pogrebin do a deep dive into who their subject is and the accusations that nearly stopped his career in its path.

Like many Americans, I watched this story like a hawk last fall. What I like about the book is that the writers leave the perspective up to the interpretation of the reader. Though they make clear that the allegations are serious (as they should), they do not play judge and jury.

As a feminist, I have two perspectives on this story. The first perspective is that Judge Kavanaugh acted in a way that only one who is young, immature and stupidly drunk will act. It appears that in middle age, he has matured well beyond the young man he was in the 1980’s. The second perspective is that this is a man who has no respect for women, especially when he is not sober. If he truly has no respect for women, how is able to make sound legal judgements that can potentially affect millions of American women?

I recommend it.

Thoughts On the New Brett Kavanaugh Accusations: Where There is Smoke, There is Fire

When Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh was confirmed last year, his confirmation was far from smooth.

This week, new sexual assault allegations have surfaced against Justice Kavanaugh. If that was not enough, there are some who are questioning if the FBI did a thorough investigation and are calling for his impeachment.

Where there is smoke, there is fire.

From my perspective, the fact that he was still confirmed in spite of the evidence speaks to the act that powerful men can still get away with sexual assault. Women are still there just to be sexual objects.

Where there is smoke, there is fire. I have a feeling that this will not be the last time that we will be hearing about the sexual misconduct of Justice Kavanaugh.

Lynzy Lab Hits The Nail On The Head

After the circus that was the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation hearings, you know who made the following comments:

“It’s a very scary time for young men in America when you can be guilty of something that you may not be guilty of,”

I could lecture from here to eternity about the reality of the world we live in when it comes to who has the power in this world and who does not have the power. But instead of getting on my soapbox, I will let Lynzy Lab sing about it instead.

The first step to solving a problem is admitting that you have one. We have a problem in our culture. Women are undervalued and often seen as sexual objects without brains, ambitions or abilities. This brilliant song  shines a light on the problem and allows all of us to start on the difficult journey of fixing the problem.

Shame On You, Susan Collins

There is a special place in hell for women who don’t support other women, especially when it comes to allegations of sexual assault.

Senator Susan Collins voted to proceed with the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to join the Supreme Court. The result is that her opponent has received a tidy sum from voters in donations.

The message coming from the Senate is clear. The voice of the American woman does not matter. Her experience does not matter, especially when it comes to rape and/or sexual assault. While the woman has to live for the rest of her life with the emotional trauma that comes with sexual assault, the man is free and clear to move on with his life as if nothing happened.

The law of the land is innocent until proven guilty, as Mitch McConnell pointed out. However, the accusations against Judge Kavanaugh are severe enough to create questions of his ability to be impartial and non-partisan.

I started writing this post yesterday. As of this morning, Judge Kavanaugh is the newest member of the Supreme Court.

What is done cannot be undone. However, the midterms are coming. American voters will have their say when it comes to who will representing them in Washington.  While only time will tell how the makeup of the Senate will change, I have a feeling that some Senators may find themselves out of a job.

 

This Is Why Women Don’t Report Sexual Assault

There are numerous reasons as to why women do not go to the police after being raped or experiencing sexual assault.

Last night, you know who publicly mocked Christine Blasey Ford, the woman who accused Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault when they were both in high school. This is after he stated that he believed Dr. Ford to be a credible witness.

Am I surprised? No. This type of speech from him has unfortunately become part and parcel of his Presidency.

The problem is that his speech only reinforces why victims of rape/sexual assault, especially women, are afraid to come forward. At best, they are mocked. At worst, they are accused of lying and ruining the life of the man or men they have accused.

While it is true that there are some accusations of rape/sexual assault are false, the majority are not. When some say that the man’s life is ruined by the accusation, what about the woman’s life? What about the life long emotional trauma, the PTSD, the shame, the anger, etc?

When someone says that as a child, they were sexually abused by a member of the clergy, I would hope that they are believed. It is the same thing with women who are brave enough to go to the police when they are raped or sexually assaulted.

The only way to end the stigma is to report rape and/or sexual assault. The problem is that the shame of the act permeates our culture, especially on the part of the female accuser. His speech last night helped to make the problem worse.

P.S. Did anyone else find Judge Kavanaugh’s emotional reaction during his hearing to be bothersome? A judge, especially a member of SCOTUS, must the calm, mature and most of all, above partisan politics. His accusations, to me at least, felt like a ten-year old who was caught doing something and took a temper tantrum instead of admitting what he did wrong.

History Is In Our Hands

Ghandi once said the following:

A nation’s greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members.”

While any potential confirmation to the Supreme Court is potentially history making, the potential confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh will forever mark America for generations to come.

Will we be a country that recognizes the accomplishments and humanity of women, and finally put to bed once and for all the idea that women are somehow beneath men? Will we live up to the progressive ideals that is part and parcel of our image as a country that not only respects it’s citizens (regardless of sex), but also gives them opportunities to thrive?

Or, will be go back to the days when women were second class citizens, deprived of the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, especially if that goes against what is considered “proper” for a female?

History is in our hands. We have the opportunity (and the vote next month) to confirm if we are willing to do the hard work to move forward, or if we are content to live in the past?

Where There Is Smoke, There Is Fire: A Third Woman Comes Forward

In the latest news regarding the Brett Kavanaugh hearings, a third woman has come forward.

Julie Swetnick stated that when Judge Kavanaugh was in high school, he and several others boys purposefully spiked the drinks of girls attending local parties to ensure that they would be sexually compliant.

With the previous two accusers, one could have argued that this was the act of an underage boy who drank too much and acted stupidly because he drank too much.

The argument is out the window, especially with the new turn of events.

If the accusations are true and Judge Kavanaugh acted maliciously with the intent of gang rape, he should not be confirmed. If the Republicans still push Judge Kavanaugh through, in spite of the new allegations, then they had better pray that they can keep their majority come November. There are too many women in this country who have been raped or sexually assaulted who have the power to vote and have the power to send a men to those in Washington who think that they hold the cards.

Where there is smoke, there is fire.

New Randy Rainbow Video-KAVANAUGH! – Randy Rainbow Song Parody

Satire is often the only way to release stress and anxiety.

Speaking of satire, Randy Rainbow has released his new video.

Entitled “KAVANAUGH! – Randy Rainbow Song Parody”, the song is a parody of the song Camelot from the musical of the same name.

The latest news in regards to Judge Kavanaugh is that a second accuser has come forward. Deborah Ramirez has stated that he exposed himself to her at a party when they were in college.

Granted, one could again say that at the time, Judge Kavanaugh was young, drunk and stupid. We all do stupid sh*t when we are young and drunk. However, this is the second woman to come forward. At this point, I wouldn’t be surprised if more women came out of the wood work, accusing the Judge of similar acts.

The Judge has two young daughters. I wonder what he and the other male Senator who are trying to push his confirmation through would say if their teenage daughters came to them and admitted that they were sexually assaulted by an underage male classmate who was clearly very far into his drink. If I was a betting woman, I would say that they would react differently than how they are reacting now.