Many women on Twitter have exclaimed that Judge Jackson's Supreme Court Confirmation Hearing was triggering. I felt the same way. As I watched a number of Republican Senators try to get her by obsessing over sensitive topics with exaggeration, misinformation, and an attempt to cause a reaction and get some headlines, I felt sick. Most women, and particularly women of color who have faced great discrimination, have had to face people like this--people who gaslight, oppress, ridicule, lie, exaggerate, and manipulate to overpower and get their way. Those self-serving politicos who put their personal ambition, racism, sexism, power, and privilege ahead of the purpose of the Confirmation Hearing are a huge waste of hard earned taxpayer dollars, time, and potential.
If every senator took the Confirmation Hearing seriously, the questions would have been direct, serious, factual, and in the interest of creating a Supreme Court of experienced, honest, hard working, intelligent, knowledgeable justices. The questions would have centered on the seriousness of the position, and the potential that position holds for righting our country in valuable, uplifting ways. But instead, those Republican senators focused on salacious topics to draw attention to themselves and connect the reputable Judge Jackson with untrue, derogatory sound bites and beliefs. It was disgusting.
What can Americans do in the face of this inappropriate, rude, oppressive, dishonest behavior by those senators--behavior that demonstrates their lack of allegiance to what is right and good for our country and the people?
First, we have to condemn their rude, disrespectful, dishonest propaganda and behavior. Our leaders must be honest, respectful, civil, graceful, and respectful.
Next, we have to elect leaders who demonstrate respect, honesty, intelligence, good experience, good character, and a will to serve the people.
And, we have to hone those good leadership skills in ourselves and others too. In a civil, honest, hard working, thoughtful, and caring society, we will be able to make more positive, promising development and uplift lives. This is a positive aim.
Finally, we have to find ways to get involved and do the good work possible to lift lives beginning in our own homes and communities and moving out.
We can do this. We must do this. Onward.