The rage that I’m feeling has arrived slowly and stealthily – and I don’t think it’s going anywhere either. This Cornell situation has ignited a sea of emotions and thoughts that I can’t fully describe and that I won’t attempt to contain.
I am so angry.
We live in a country where the highest office is held by a convicted sexual criminal who boasts of grabbing pussy and was a known associate of an international pedophile. Our elected representatives have allowed this president to continue as the leader of what was once the greatest country in the world.
Fuck them.
My most fiery feelings are directed at the grown ups who failed every person involved in the sexual assault of Jane Doe. Clearly, she was ultimate victim in this hideous and brutal rape, but when the administration and law enforcement personnel in charge neglected to properly adjudicate the crimes that had been reported, they also denied the alleged rapists their due process as dictated by the legal system.
These young men, whom I refuse to refer to as the “Cornell 7, since it is clear that far more than 7 males completely fucked Jane Doe, should have been charged with the crimes they committed and suffered the legal consequences of their actions.
Sexually assaulting an incapacitated person, and inviting others to do the same, is not an offense that can be adequately addressed by writing an essay or reflecting on one’s actions. This is a crime that should be heard and decided by a jury – a panel that is comprised of, at a minimum, a majority of females.
The current federal administration has targeted the rights of women and rapidly removed protections for women, including access to reproductive healthcare. There are male politicians and clergyman who have advocated to deny women the right to vote. If allowed these pathetic men will take our bodies and our voices.
It can’t happen.
A protest and rally to demand justice for Jane Doe is being organized for Tuesday, October 13th in Ithaca. My intention is to be there. I imagine this event will be well attended with a crowd that may skew to female. I suppose that’s to be expected. What I truly hope to see, though, are males who understand and are outraged that Jane Doe could easily be their sister or daughter or cousin or niece.
The rape culture in this country, and the world, needs to end. It’s time to stand up for women because, while we may be tired, we are not going to rest until every man involved with the sexual assault of Jane Doe, and the coverup that followed, has been dealt with.
See you in Ithaca.
