As Twitter-user Louise Knott Ahern put it, “Ruth Bader Ginsburg is going to be replaced by a woman who walked through every door that Ginsburg opened for her so she can promptly use her position to shut them all for others behind her.” As President Trump’s nominee for the Supreme Court, Amy Coney Barrett is currently one of the greatest threats to women’s rights, alongside LGBTQ+ rights, access to healthcare, and more, in this country.
Throughout the confirmation hearings, the public has learned relatively little about Coney Barrett’s views due to her application of the “Ginsburg Rule,” a precedent set by Justice Ginsburg in which judges refrain from answering how they would potentially rule on issues that could be presented in the court. However, given her past and current affiliations with vehemently pro-life organizations like People of Praise and her devout Catholic beliefs, the public has a right to be worried about her impact on women’s rights, including access to reproductive health and affordable healthcare, even though she claims her personal views will not impact her judicial rule. Frankly, Coney Barrett is not an advocate for women in any regard, and her confirmation to the court almost certainly means more restrictions on women’s rights and less advocacy for women of color and women from disadvantaged communities.
While I believe Coney Barrett is a danger to women in this country, at times, I could not help but sympathize with her over the blatant sexism that riddled the hearing. Across Twitter, viewers pointed out her “annoying, terrible, baby voice,” a concern that opposers never voiced during Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s hearing. News articles reported on her outfit choices rather than her political views. Instagram users questioned her ability to be a successful working mother. And Senator John Cornyn voiced his shock over her success in completing simple tasks without needing notes. It was not hard to see that as a woman, Coney Barrett was held to a different standard than the men preceding her.
As a feminist, it is impossible to overlook or justify this sexism in any way. I believe, no matter her views, Coney Barrett deserves the same respect and treatment as any other well-respected, male nominee. In Senator and Vice Presidential candidate Kamala Harris’ recent debate versus Vice President Mike Pence, feminists were quick to come to Harris’ defense after Pence repeatedly interrupted her speech. When it came to Coney Barrett, however, these same feminists were mute, even after several male Senators frequently spoke over Coney. Admittedly, it is difficult for me to voice my feminist-driven concerns when they relate to someone who is blatantly anti-feminist. However, I believe that any true feminist understands that feminism means constantly fighting for equality in the face of adversity no matter the circumstances.