Like You, I Was Riveted to the Screen

Perhaps like you I was riveted to the screen. In fact, my wife and I were both captivated by what was happening in DC in the hearing yesterday. At the end of the day, we both left dissatisfied. In different words, we experienced "we can do better" moments, and in others a sense of "this is that to which we have devolved."

A few of my own personal observations. Those on the right hid behind the interviewer and when they stepped out from behind her, they were minimalist in their discourse, polite, and condescending. In the face of a credible witness with a meaningful story to tell, they essentially sat on their hands. They were men.  Yes, they were men. They did step out rather boldly when questioning the Judge, but not when they were questioning the psychologist.

Dr. Ford did incredibly well at telling her story despite her anxiety and what seemed to be an effort to lead her somewhere by the interviewer who was hired by the Republicans. We found her captivating and engaging and truthful and believable. We wept at times with her and likely with others around the country.

Judge Kavanaugh was a different story. The worst of what entitled, educated men have devolved into, his narcissistic rage, his entitlement to filibuster and avoid questions, and his persistent victimization were abhorrent, along with his condescending attacks on the senators. This is the man who will likely be positioned as the next on the SCOTUS. He is the one the president* has chosen, the one who will lead us back into the promised land which we began to leave back in the 1960s at the onset of the culture wars, if the right is to be believed.

His disregard for the women on the left and even for men on the left was telling and troubling.  His vituperative spirit is what we want on the Supreme Court? It seems that he has been very, very well coached in terms of presentation, avoidance of directly answering questions, and in evading the truth that many know.

Then, when Grassley and Graham become unhinged. That was ugly.  When the Judge evoked conspiracy theories of ghosts past, he did not look like someone who was fit for the Supreme Court.

I personally would like to see an independent FBI investigation.  I assume that their investigative skills far surpass those of the Senate Judiciary Committee, several of them said so. I just want to know the truth in a "no holds barred" kind of way.  I am weary of politicians telling me, especially white male politicians telling me what to believe.

There is a larger context within which these matters fit.  Later this year there is an article to be published that situates the issue of black land acquisition and dispossession against the larger context of the history and trends of our country. I hope you will read it.  I'll post the link here.

What are you driving at, Waymon? The point at which I am driving is that that which was ugly yesterday is that which has made life miserable for people of color and for women since the origins of our country. Powerful white men dominant the political discourse of the day. Powerful white men on the right of the political spectrum especially, in our courts, our legislative branches, and in our churches.  In our churches.  I see it in the history books, on television, in the stories of black farmers in dealing with the USDA, and in all manner of other locations.

In points of contention, both overtly and covertly, the advantage goes to the rich white guy.

Rise up! Arise! Rise up! Speak your voice! Tell your stories! That is my encouragement to women, to people of color, to anyone who feels thrown under the bus.

What will the world look like when I am gone and smoldering in the grave and my grand daughter is taking her rightful place in society? I want her opportunities and voice to speak volumes about courage and righteousness and righteous causes.

I believe Dr. Ford