Believe HER

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I was really trying to avoid writing about this topic.  Though I have a strong opinion, I don’t know enough about the situation nor am I a political commentator by any means. Our site is also not focused on political commentary.  So, again. I was really trying not to write about this.  Then I saw a cartoon about the swearing in of Brett Kavanaugh to the US Supreme Court.  He has his hand up to be sworn in and on his palm is the imprint of a woman’s lips.  The reference is that he is silencing his alleged victim as she tries to call for help.    That cartoon incensed me.  That is why I am now writing about this. 

I was astonished about a number of things during this story.  The ire and recrimination that Dr. Ford faced when telling her story.  The focus on how Judge Kavanaugh was being impacted by the allegations with no real focus on the victim.  The way that this story became more about political side-taking than about finding out the truth.  All of these things have astonished and upset me.  The sad part of all of this is that all of these actions and reactions are not new.  We live in a society where there is a power structure and the most powerful will almost always prevail, whether they are right or wrong.  We also live in a society where when a woman says she is raped or assaulted, the burden of proof often lies with her and she can be ostracized or marginalized for her experience. 

The MeToo movement has played a pivotal role in bringing the issues of sexual assault and harassment to the forefront.  Unfortunately, the appointment of Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court may have pushed the movement into the dark ages. 

Shades readers, here is what we have to say:

When a woman says she has been raped, believe her.  The chances that she is telling the truth far outweigh the chances that she is making it up.  Investigate it, of course, but believe it first. 

Rape can be prevented by not raping.  That is the bottom line.  It does not depend on how a woman is dressed or which dark street she walks down.  It is not her fault.

Let’s raise our children, both the boys and the girls, to understand and respect one another and to have a strong understanding of the difference between right and wrong. It doesn’t matter who is more or less powerful, who is richer or poorer, who is a Republican or a Democrat – we all deserve to be respected and heard.