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Fighting for equal rights has become a major headline in America and the world today. From the recent sexual assault allegations women have directed against confirmed Supreme Court Republican Senator Brett Kavanaugh, it is evident that the issue has evolved into both a political problem and a female opportunity to address women’s rights.
Women and survivors of sexual assault are waiting for their ultimate revenge on the government for suppressing women’s rights and equality. The movement began with Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, psychology professor and mother of two, who delivered a testimony to the Senate about how Judge Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her in high school. Although the accusations have been denied by Kavanaugh, women around the country have supported Dr. Ford in her courageous act of speaking out about her abuse experience. With the mid-term elections approaching– date set in November 6, 2018– women could potentially change the way the American government views gender equality. The mid-term elections are set in the middle of a president’s term to vote for the next Senators and House of Representatives, who are the next law-makers and governing body of the entire country. Statewide votes count towards the Senator election and the House of Representatives are selected from district votes. This year, the mid-term elections are a chance for people to protest against Kavanaugh’s legibility of becoming a Senator and vote for candidates who would fight for all citizens’ rights and equality.
Kavanaugh’s trial confirmation has become the final statement women needed to understand that they weren’t being taken seriously. Many reporters who talk about this year’s mid-term elections believe that the wave of female voters could potentially change America’s fate.
Celebrities such as pop star Taylor Swift and comedian Ellen DeGeneres took to social media to discuss this issue, encouraging people to know the candidates before voting and to support the cause. Others, including pop star/actress Lady Gaga made a powerful statement on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” defending survivors’ protests and accusations, which are sometimes acknowledged to be fake. Ever since women protested Kavanaugh taking on the highest position in the Senate, using slogans “Kava-Nope” and “Cancel Kavanaugh,” an issue featuring the campaign slogan “November Is Coming” has emerged.
The campaign slogan “November is Coming” is a movement of female power, influential speech, and a chance for survivors to step forward into the spotlight to bring further awareness to the topic of sexual assault. Along with the hashtag #MeToo and TimesUp movements, women have been more confident and brave to open up about this issue and share their own experiences. Their stories have inspired others to speak up, but many are still being controlled by the fear of sharing their experiences and being criticized by others.
White women of the middle class and above were one of the key demographics that led to President Donald Trump’s victory in his presidential election of 2016. Despite his inappropriate comments against women, middle class women and above continued to support him during the election and even defended Trump’s racial behavior against women who disliked his motives. Feminist author Tamara Winfrey Harris also called out the 53% of white women who voted for Trump, saying that this “white feminism” is a representation of failure in many things about the country. The majority of white women have shifted their support towards feminists and women’s rights since 2016, fighting against President Trump and his policies, actions, etc. Since many white women have changed their allegiances, blame has still fallen on their shoulders when discussing feminism and Trump’s presidency. Those that did not vote for Trump and have always stood with women’s rights do not believe that middle class and upper class white women should have the same opportunities including participating in feminist riots, being involved in women’s rights, and even voting in the upcoming November mid-elections because of their original allegiance. Instead of having these two sides further divided, Women’s March co-leaders urged that all women should stand together during the November mid-term elections, encouraging all to vote and contribute into this movement. (TheUndefeated.com)
According to a headline on The Washington Post, some men have also become powerful allies to the movement. During the #MeToo movement, CNN’s cooking show “Parts Unknown” chef Anthony Bourdain (who died on June 8, 2018) supported women’s rights and beliefs after being accused of assault by a former chef partner. Afterwards, he decided to start “reexamining his life,” admitting that he had once been a “loud and angry chef in the kitchen” and had not treated his fellow colleagues well. In the pursuit of supporting women’s rights and regaining a better reputation, Bourdain joined many movements and helped a few women in defending their sexual assault allegations. (WashingtonPost.com)
Wade Davis, a former NFL player turned feminist ally, began the Black Men And Feminism campaign and taught men to become better advocates for women and children. One problem he discovered while educating men about sexism and feminism was their defensive or confused responses. Davis later understood that there were many reasons for these responses, including growing up with a lack of sexual education and the frustration of men that were falsely accused of rape. In order for men to understand feminism and the purpose of women’s rights movements, Davis encouraged everyone to share their own experiences, one that often differed completely from the usually-heard perspective of women. (Qz.com)
November Is Coming provides an opportunity to spread new influence for women who have trouble sharing the difficult topic of sexual assault and bringing justice to women’s rights, including the controversial Senate confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh. Women are once again ready to fight for what they believe in and stand together as one when heading into the voting polls on November 6.
With the tide clearly turning, the developed world will sooner or later bring action to the horror of sexual assault. November Is Coming calls for everyone– the LGBT community, People of Color, Women’s March, and all women and men in general– to fight for what they believe in and confront social injustices from the root of the issue.
For more information, go to CBSNews.com, QZ.com, TheGuardian.com, Vox.com, TheGlobeAndMail.com, WashingtonPost.com, Crooked.com, Edition.CNN.com, CSMonitor.com, MarieClaire.com, StoryFeedz.com, Time.com, TheUndefeated.com, TheWashingtonPost.com, QZ.com
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