This I Believe

This week I’ve been listening, reading, and watching about the confirmation hearings for our next U.S. Supreme Court judge. No, that’s an understatement: I’ve been consumed by this historic event.

Just this morning, I watched a video of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford’s entire statement to the Senate Judiciary Committee. I also watched her responses to attorney Rachel Mitchell, questioning her on behalf of Republican senators on the committee. I was able to watch Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s testimony and questioning live the day he appeared before the committee. I’ve read countless news reports about the testimony and the aftermath as well as opinion pieces in news outlets and on social media.

Here’s what I believe.

• I believe I’m one of the rare women who hasn’t been sexually assaulted. I feel deep gratitude that I’ve been spared.
• Ever since my teens, I’ve carried fear of rape or other sexual assault.
• I believe I’m one of the rare women who knows details of only a few women friends who have been sexually assaulted. I believe many of my women friends have been assaulted and have chosen to not share their stories with me (and likely not with others).
• Ever since my daughter’s birth, I’ve carried fear that she would be raped or sexually assaulted. Now I carry it for my daughter-in-law and granddaughter, too.
• I believe Dr. Ford’s allegation that she was sexually assaulted by Judge Kavanaugh.
• I believe Judge Kavanaugh demonstrated at the hearing that he can’t maintain the kind of impartiality, decorum, and integrity our country requires of its Supreme Court justices.
• I believe there are many men feeling as devastated by and furious about the recent revelations and displays of misogyny in our nation.
• I believe we all have much work to do to name and end the misogyny endemic in all areas of our society.

I’m not yet able to say I believe we WILL end misogyny, but I’m willing to do whatever I can to get us closer to that day.