I wish I could say all the effort it took for Christine Blasey Ford to testify about her experience of sexual assault before a panel Thursday was worth it.
I imagined her telling herself over and over, This is not about me; this is about justice justice justice.
So far, however, it appears its only about politics. And oh, Ms. Blasey, too bad about your incident. Hope it doesnt happen to my girls.
NOT SO fast.
Even if Brett Kavanaugh is our next U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Ms. Blaseys words were powerful for victims of sexual abuse.
To a one, those august senators appeared moved by her testimony, which no doubt stirred memories of their own friends and loved ones suffering abuse, its so prevalent.
Unfortunately, however, Republican senators shielded themselves from Ms. Blaseys testimony by refusing to engage with her directly. Instead they used a proxy, a female prosecutor, to field their questions.
Right there, the message was we dont want to sully ourselves with your dirty laundry. And you know, sex abuse is dirty. Theres no way around it.
Its a violation of ones personal being, ones very core, and no one likes to witness the degradation.
Sadly, the Supreme Court nomination is so important to their retaining power in Congress that Republicans seem willing to disregard the import of Ms. Blaseys testimony.
Which is the crux of the problem.
Ms. Blasey has been used as a pawn in a bigger political process, giving senators the justification they need not to pay attention to her.
But the rest of us will.
TIMES UP.
Were tired that people of privilege employers, our superiors and elders, the wealthy can get away with such acts.
