At only 21 years old, I’m still pretty young; some might say I still have my whole life ahead of me. As a 21-year-old woman, my life becomes a little bit more difficult; we can pretend to be a post-sexist society all we want, but we know we’re not. As a 21-year-old black woman, my life becomes even more difficult. Because if we’re not a post-sexist society, we are most definitely not a post-racial society, no matter how many years President Barack Obama was in office.
I say all this not to be the black girl complaining about how things aren’t fair, but because we are at a pinnacle time in American history. Walls are breaking down, only to have new ones put up; outdated conservative ideas are making their way to the forefront, while progressive ideas are being pushed to the back. And at the head of this, now, is Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh. And even though our country has spent the last two weeks hearing about how this man is unfit to be on the highest court in the land, the Senate Judiciary Committee still voted for Brett Kavanaugh to be on the Supreme Court of the United States.
But Kavanaugh should be nowhere near the Supreme Court. He should have no say whatsoever in creating the laws of our land. Why? For three simple reasons:
First, Kavanaugh has been accused of sexual assault. Three separate women have come forward and accused this man. And each of them has been met with threats and disgust as citizens around this country spew hatred and disbelief at them. But whether you believe these accusations, you cannot deny Kavanaugh’s reactions — or rather, his non-reactions.
These women have been subjected to the utmost mental and emotional torture. In response, Kavanaugh has said what a horrible experience this has been for him; he has not expressed any sympathy or remorse for these women, and he has attempted to shame and discredit all them.
Then, in his testimony before the committee, Kavanaugh was not only emotional and belligerent but uncooperative in his refusal to answer straightforward questions and agree to an FBI investigation on the allegations. These are not the actions of a man who fears being wrongfully convicted; these are the actions of a man who fears being rightfully convicted.
Second, Kavanaugh is yet another white man. Not that being a white man is a problem in and of itself. But now, in the 21st century, it’s time we stop putting privileged white men in positions of power. It’s time we stop sending the message to all “minority” individuals: Blacks, Hispanics, Muslims, and yes, even women.
When we continually appoint white men to powerful positions that allow them the opportunity to decide the fates of millions of people, we are repeatedly sending the message that only the white man’s voice matters. When we allow white men to repeatedly take on positions of power, we are perpetuating the idea that anyone not of this status is inferior. When white men are consistently chosen for these powerful positions, we are implying that America is the land of the white man. And this is not true. When nearly 40 percent of our population is not white and half the population is not male, then no; America is not the land of the White Man. So let’s stop telling ourselves it is.
And finally, Brett Kavanaugh is not bipartisan. One need only look back on his testimony and hear him exclaim how the allegations against him are actually the revenge of the Clintons. This may seem like a small point in the grand scheme of things, but a partisan justice on the Supreme Court would wreak havoc on our country. Potential societal progress would be stalled. As a man against Affirmative Action, the march for racial equality would be put on hold. As a man who believes birth control is an “abortion-inducing” medication, women’s rights would take a back seat.
In our current state, with a war between liberals and conservatives, we need individuals who will push for communication and unity among all parts of the political spectrum. Kavanaugh is not a man looking to see how he can propel America into the future; he is a man looking to propel a conservative agenda. And that is why conservative Republicans are so fond of Kavanaugh; that is why the allegations and his status as a privileged and affluent individual do not matter to senators like Lindsey Graham and Chuck Grassley.
The nomination of Brett Kavanaugh was a slap in the face to all citizens calling for civil rights, equality and peace. The committee’s vote has told those citizens: “You’re not of the same worth as a white man. You’re not worthy of American values. You are not worthy.”
But now is the time we change that narrative. And the Senate can lead us in this change by saying “no” to Kavanaugh.
The country has watched this week as the FBI wrapped up its supplemental investigation on Kavanaugh and the accusations against him. Now we wait for the Senate to vote on whether to nominate Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.
If the Senate votes based on party lines, there are five senators who the country will expect may say no to Kavanaugh: Republicans Susan Collins (Maine), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Jeff Flake (Arizona), and Democrats Heidi Heitkamp (North Dakota) and Joe Manchin (West Virginia).
As of right now, the Senate plans its first vote on the Kavanaugh confirmation on Friday, Oct. 5 at 10:30 a.m. CT. And the country will be watching.
