I, like many women, felt extremely frustrated, angered and shocked in light of Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court confirmation. The only person I hated more than Kavanaugh throughout the investigation of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford’s sexual assault accusations against him were the people who proceeded to voted him in. This was a common feeling among many women across the country, who have been left wondering how to expect to be protected when the boys and men guilty of assault are systematically protected from conviction. Kavanaugh’s confirmation was a slap in the face to all women, particularly sexual assault survivors. Many survivors vocalized their hurt and disgust during Dr. Ford’s testimony against Kavanaugh, which seemed to fall on deaf ears.
After the trial, our president made a statement which was far beyond salt in the wound. “It’s a very scary time for young men in America,” Trump stated. Leave it to a sex-offender to support and protect other sex offenders; how soothing, supportive and validating to 50% of the population in a time of such dismay, Mr. President! This statement is a crystal clear example of women systematically being put at a disadvantage while attempting to right the wrongs done unto them. As Annie from Bridesmaids drunkenly stated, “They’re setting us up for a loss already.” While I felt overwhelmed by thoughts, opinions and emotions, I saw a viral video which perfectly summed it all up in two and a half minutes.
Lynzy Lab Stewart of Texas posted a video singing a parody song about how it is such a tough time for boys, laying out all of the added precautions women must take in society, for both physical protection as well as protection of their reputations. She hit the classic examples; to name just a few: not being able to go anywhere alone, not being able to leave your drink, not being able to go out with friends without men inserting themselves, not being taken seriously, and needing to reciprocate some degree of attention to men to ensure you are not seen as a cold hearted bitch. She contrasted the long list of of female struggles by sarcastically stating that it is so hard that as a boy you could potentially be called out for your disgusting actions, you need to think twice about how you are treating women, and you can’t force a girl to have sex when she does not want to. Her catchy tune was concise, thoughtfully worded, and put a light-hearted spin on a very serious issue which made it both accessible and relatable to all women. Thank you, Lynzy, for summing up the way I was feeling in a way that has swept the nation and I can sing to in the shower. This is the new anthem of the national girl gang that has come together in a time of nationwide female outrage. As Stewart perfectly stated while closing her song, “It’s time for women to rise up and use our collective voice. The day to vote is November 6th, so let’s go make some noise.”
If you think my friends and I will not be pregaming to that song, you don’t know us.