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September 19, 2018 | Deeds Digest No. 116
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Hello #Changemakers!
You've likely heard that saying, "It's Deja Vu all over again." Well, here we are, once again facing a Supreme Court nominee who has been credibly accused of sexual assault. His accuser, Christine Blasey Ford, currently a professor of psychology at Palo Alto University, bravely came forward to identify herself as the person alleging that Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted and attempted to rape her when they were both in high school.
Dr. Blasey Ford's credibility is corroborated by the fact that she previously shared the events of that incident in 2012 with her therapist. She also submitted to a polygraph test which confirmed that her allegations were recounted truthfully. Previously, Anita Hill had also come forward with credible claims of sexual harassment by Justice Clarence Thomas during his confirmation hearings.
What is different this time, as noted by the New York Times, is the #metoo movement and the shift to believing survivors occasioned by that movement. In essence, then, the difference this time is YOU and the millions like you across the country who have had #enough of men getting away with harassing and assaulting women with no accountability for their actions.
I've previously explained why I believe Brett Kavanaugh is the wrong choice for the Supreme Court and have expressed (as have many of you) grave concerns about his prior judicial decisions and their bearing on what he will likely do if appointed. How one feels about that tends to line up along partisan lines. But whether he indeed assaulted someone and attempted to rape them -- this should NOT be colored or decided through the filter of partisan politics. Instead, the Senate as a whole should call for a thorough review process, including an investigation by the FBI into the merit of Dr. Blasey Ford's claims. Until then, it is simply unconscionable that the Senate would move forward with a vote on his confirmation.
Back when Anita Hill courageously came forward to shine a light on Clarence Thomas' inappropriate and unacceptable actions, she was vilified. There was no presumption that she should be believed. And, shockingly, he was approved for appointment to the Supreme Court when Democrats held a 57 member majority in the Senate - with almost every Republican Senator and 11 Democratic Senators voting in favor of his confirmation.
Let's all do our part in proving that we've evolved since then. See below for links to contact your Senators. Please, if ever there was a time to make your voice heard, now is the time to do so.
Much love,
-wendy
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Team Deeds was proud to host its first event of the fall semester at the University of Texas at Austin campus with a Volunteer Deputy Registrar training conducted by Travis County Tax Assessor-Collector Bruce Elfant. We had a fabulous turnout and were so grateful for the commitment of those who attended the training on a dreary, rainy day. Thanks to Bruce and our young Deeds Not Words #Changemakers, there are now 12 new Deputy Registrars in Travis County ready, willing and able to register their fellow students to vote. Now the real work begins! October 9 is the last day to register to vote, so you still have time to make a difference! If you'd like to volunteer with Team Deeds, we'll be registering voters with our office BFFs Progress Texas over the coming days. Keep an eye on the Digest for details. And thanks to those of you who are already registering voters in Texas and elsewhere in the country for doing your part to turn out the vote!
Onward,
Jessica Boston
Team Deeds Director of Policy and Advocacy
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We haven't made it a secret: We believe that Brett Kavanaugh is a bad nomination for the Supreme Court.
His appointment would all but guarantee the overturning of Roe v. Wade, an end to DACA, and the dismantling of pre-existing condition coverage in the Affordable Care Act.
This week, however, our objections heightened when a woman came forward to share her experience of being sexually assaulted and nearly raped by the nominee. Her story is one that every Senator needs to hear and one that deserves to be believed.
Here's more of what has us fired up ...
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This week, we need you to pull double duty when it comes to contacting your elected officials. Two critical items are facing Congress, and if we don't make our voices heard, the consequences will be significant.
FIRST: Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation vote could come as early as next week, and after recent allegations of sexual violence, we cannot allow a vote to move forward.
SECOND: The Violence Against Women Act will expire this year if Congress does not act soon. VAWA, as it's known, helps to protect and support millions of Americans who have faced domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking -- we cannot afford to let these protections vanish into thin air.
Contact your Senator >>
Contact your Representative >>
Women in this country deserve better than to have perpetrators of sexual violence on our Supreme Court and to have our right to safety rolled back.
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This Week's #Changemaker:
Teens Are Speaking Up About Their Abortions Through Youth Testify
Youth Testify, a new initiative launched by the National Network of Abortion Funds (NNAF), allows young women who've had abortions an opportunity to advocate for new reproductive health care reforms and abortion access. Through this leadership program, 13 advocates spanning 17 through 24 years of age can share their personal abortion stories and use their experiences to shed a light on needed policy reforms and to debunk misinformation campaigns.
Here at Deeds, we've always believed that the best advocates for policies that directly affect young people, are, well, young people. Too often, today's youth is ignored and characterized as immature or ill-informed, when in actuality they're problem solvers who offer valuable perspectives. We're so excited to see more programs like this take shape across the country and to see the incredible young women who are stepping up to lead them.
Read the full stories of this week's inspiring #Changemakers here.
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