The Kavanaugh vs Ford Saga
What I’ve Learned
It was on Thursday 27 of September 2018 when the U.S Supreme court nominee, Judge Brett Kavanaugh was summoned by a judicial committee of 21 senate members (11 Republicans and 10 Democrats), demanding he respond to an allegation of sexual assault filed against him by Dr Christine Blassey Ford, a now professor of psychology, and a former high school mate of Brett.
She claimed he sexually assaulted her when they were together in high school. According to her testimony this assault happened at a party more than 30 years ago. She said, albeit sobbing:
‘‘ I attended a party when i was 15 years old, there were 4 boys including Brett and Judge and another boy named TJ, but i can’t recall the other boy’s name they were all at the same gathering. I had just a bottle of beer, but Brett and judge were both drunk. When i went upstairs to use the bathroom i was pushed into a room by someone i never saw, while Brett and Judge locked the door behind. Brett jumped on top of me, started groping me and grinding his body against mine, while his friend Judge stood and watch.. He held my hands and closed my mouth forcefully, At a point i felt so scared he was accidentally going to kill me.’’
She further said:
‘I was 100% sure it was Brett who sexually assaulted me’’
This testimony from Dr. Ford seems powerful in its words and transparent that no one would doubt the genuinity of her case, rather feel sympathetic to her plight. Put aside her professional titles or academic accomplishments, this is a victim of sexual abuse who may have undergone a traumatic experience and depression for several years. Indeed she deserves some praises for her bold step and courage to stand before the world not just a 21 senate judicial committee, but the whole world was watching.
Her testimony earned her some sympathies from the senators, even the republicans could not help but feel sorry for her.
From a psychological point of view it is difficult for victims of such incident to be willing to share their experience with anyone or even dare to say it on National TV. They are usually engrossed with fear, anguish and shame. Therefore more practice like that of Dr. Ford’s should be encouraged.
Women who fall victim of sexual abuse should be encouraged to come out and publicly voice their experience, as the world is changing through technology, whilst the media are now powerful tools used in communication. Speaking out on issues like this not only makes one feel a lot better but it gives them a sense of purpose that they can positively utilize their violation to a greater effect in the society.
It wasn’t difficult to evaluate the authenticity of Dr Ford’s testimony because her body language portrays a woman who had been abused. She often looked nervous, emotional and shy to speak. One would think; since she was a professor of psychology she would easily navigate through the vigorous process of the hearing, but think again! you can never navigate a life experience, much more a traumatic one at that.
Later that same day came Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s testimony — It was meant to be like a career audition for a higher position, just as the committee called it like a ‘Job Interview.’
Surprisingly tensions started building up quickly and an epic emotional battle unfolded between the republican senators and their democratic counterpart. Much of it which was started by Judge Kavanaugh himself as he aggressively and verbally fought every questions thrown at him by the committee. Undoubtedly that was a wrong approach by a man aspiring for one of the most coveted judicial position in the country.
He openly accused the democratic senators of orchestrating a political conspiracy to usurp him of his nomination. This was his statement and i quote;
‘’My family and my name have been totally and permanently destroyed by vicious and false accusation’’, he said. ‘’This confirmation process has become a national disgrace. The constitution gives the Senate an important role in the confirmation process. But you have replaced advise and consent with search and destroy’.’
Now this was not just a man auditioning for a career position or as a ‘‘job interview’’, rather we saw a man fighting for his life, reputation and family.
It’s not really a crime to be willing to fight for what he believed in, but this is an accusation of sexual assault and such response will only prompt doubt over his character and innocence, even more significant — his ability to handle a position as high as that of a Supreme court.
However Brett Kavanaugh should be credited for not attacking Mrs Ford and her testimony — he never questioned whether she was really sexually assaulted, but he explicitly denied being the perpetrator.
Which he responded as:
“I have never done this to her or anyone, I am Innocent.”
The committee finally came to a compromise, to allow the FBI investigate the incident and bring their report to the senate within a week.
Fast forward to a week later, the report came out declaring Mr Kavanaugh Innocent and clear of all accusations.
Morally, questions will arise as to the credibility of the entire process, which now brings me to my point. Though i might not be an American by origin, but i’am a concerned member of this society and I’ve learned from this occurrence.
This story is not just a political unrest or chaos, but it is a saga with deep moral lessons and consequences — which viewers can learn from and try to avoid.
It is your civic duty to speak up
This goes out to all the victims of sexual assault, Dr Ford’s testimony is not only courageous but a message passed across to other women who have been sexually brutalized at some point in their lives.
Whether Judge Brett Kavanaugh is innocent or not, we can not doubt the fact that Mrs Ford was sexually assaulted, she had nothing to gain but everything to loose, yet she risked her life, career and reputation for the good of the American people. Her heroic actions have set an example for all women to speak up.
You are not alone
One of the influences that came out of the hearing was the support and community that have surrounded not only Dr. Ford, but all sexual assault victims. As Dr. Ford’s courageously told her story that day, a plethora of women across the country began sharing their stories for the first time ever. It indicates that as a victim of such assault, you are never alone.
Dr. Ford had unintentionally given the opportunity for other survivors to open up about their truths and began their own healing process. The notion that one normally feels alone during a traumatic experience should be changed, such a person should be courageous to speak out and seek for help.
We must be guided
Morality and Politics are two words that don’t get along with each other, but at some point one comes back to haunt the other, especially when it gets to a climax situation. In Brett Kavanaugh’s case, morality is the chief tormentor.
Being guided helps you to control your thoughts and clamors to prevent making a costly mistake which might come back to haunt you in the near future. This is not saying that Kavanaugh is guilty of the act, but a way to remind us of the danger involved in letting loose of our lustful thoughts. We might not be guilty of the allegations brought to us, but the saga will definitely affect our reputation, so we should always be guided!.
Written and Narrated by Ebuka Nwafor
- Politics
- Equality
- Justice
- Morality
- USA
- Ebuka Nwafor
- Medium member since Oct 2018
- Creative writer. Passion and Affiliation for Articles and Inspirational stories. “I want to work with the best, beat the best and become the best”.
