I have been strangely silent…
I know.
My mind has been a jumble these past two days, and I am having a hard time wrapping my brain around the world in which we are living right now.
We have become clearly dysfunctional as a society. When someone like Representative Todd Akin is put in a position of power, and given a platform to spew absurd and offensive comments, something has gone horribly wrong.
When asked about his opposition to abortion even in cases of rape, he said this:
“If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down. But let’s assume that maybe that didn’t work or something, I think there should be some punishment, but the punishment ought to be of the rapist, and not attacking the child.”
He re-victimmizes survivors of rape by eluding to the fact that what happened to them may or may not be legitimate. He is also unwavering in his belief that forcing the victim to carry her assailant’s baby is the right thing to do.
While he has admitted to using words that were ill-chosen, he refuses to resign from the Senate race in Missouri. He believes he can win… and while I’m sure he is sorry his words sparked such fury – It seems he believes he is still right. That’s what has my mind spinning.
We are in a time where men like him believe they can and should define or re-define rape. There are powerful policy makers out there who believe they should deem whether or not a woman is worthy of birth control - even criminalize it. At this very moment, some politicians are fighting to pass laws that force women to be pregnant.
Sure, the GOP is backing away from Akin like a hot potato, but that’s just so the whole party doesn’t sink with him. Akin is much less a “rogue” and more a window into the core values of most of the Republican party. That’s what is so frightening.
The air smacks of third-world, where women are dehumanized… property. Where the poor and the ill get shoved aside… lost… forgotten.
We are sick as a country. People in leadership positions (whose job it is to move us forward as a nation), are passing laws that are devolving. There are two Americas: one that is struggling to move forward, and one that is forcing us back in time.
We will become cannibals this campaign season – one America fighting the other.
I have no solution.
I feel it too.
It’s my survival instinct.
Things are no longer political. They are personal.
I’m looking at the other side, and I’m ready to chew someone up and spit them out.
I managed to find your post because a friend of a friend of a friend tweeted it. And I am SO glad I read it. And I intend to share it with everyone I know. You are so brave for speaking out. I’m following suit with all the other comments above me and saying THANK YOU for sharing your story.
Oh Jenni – sending love and strength for continued healing.
I cannot fathom the courage it took to post this. Bravo. Well done. Way to go Girl. These words pale in comparison to yours. God Bless You.
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Followed you over from The Bloggess because the title of your post sounded interesting. I have been disappointed, too, but the dismissal of Akin’s statements as just a minor medical misunderstanding. No. Nope. Uh-huh. His statements are indicative of a deep and long-standing belief (held by many, unfortunately), that good girls don’t get raped and that the bad girls who do get raped deserve what they get. It’s infuriating. Thank you so much for sharing.
Jenni, your video brought tears to my eyes. I can’t imagine going through what you did and then having to hear ignorant, hurtful comments about rape victims. Some nutjobs (I know this is harsh, but I am angry) are complaining about the media covering this instead of “real issues”… as if the way our society and government treat women is unimportant. It disgusts me. Thank you so much for speaking up and sharing your story. You are so strong and you are making a difference. (So glad Alex at Late Enough linked to this important post!)
I am so very proud of you!!!! What a wonderful example you are to all women, not to be afraid
to stand up and help others. Knowing that you are reliving the moments telling your story.
Your are a great, loving, generous women to everyone you come in contact with. Just know others are there for you too!
Love you so much!!!!
I finally had a chance to sit down and watch this video. Thank you for sharing this very painful memory to make a such a valuable point about our society. I find it so hard to wrap my head around the fact that there exists idiots who believe such things and are leaders in this country, this day in age. Thank you for your courage. Thank you for your words. Thank you for standing up for the women in this world.
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This is a really powerful post – well written.
I sometimes feel like – my beloved America, what is happening?
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You are a Thriver…