By now you have probably heard about Professor Mitchell Langbert’s blog post stating that “If someone did not commit sexual assault in high school, then he is not a member of the male sex.”. The blog post has made its way to the New York Post and has garnered a considerable amount of attention on social media among Brooklyn College students. On Thursday, October 4th, a group of students coordinated by the Young Progressives of America marched against Professor Langbert’s post. The event garnered the attention of hundreds of students and faculty who together led chants against the bigotry posed by Professor Langbert.
Atmosphere of the protest was electric. Reporters from several different news outlets were interviewing the students responsible for organizing the event, each carrying their own sign with a single unified message; that sexual assault in any capacity will not be tolerated.
As the students gathered on the steps leading up to the library a rally began. Megaphone in hand the organizers started laying down the reason for the event. There was a turn for many different people of all backgrounds to air their grievances. Demands were made to the administrators of the school. A list including the immediate termination of Langbert, that all the students currently enrolled in his class be assigned to other comparable classes at no financial penalty, and that all Brooklyn College professor go through a mandatory sexual assault sensitivity training course. Another student took the megaphone to remind the crowd that this wasn’t a partisan issue. That everybody regardless of political affiliation or gender should be outraged by the things that were said. Another student read a poem, a piece about sexual assault and the process of shame and misunderstanding that the victims of sexual assault go through in order to find justice. The rally continued for an hour, with unified chants filling the space between speakers. Chants like “What do we want? JUSTICE! When do we want it? NOW!” and “Whatever we wear, wherever we go, yes means yes and no means no!” The rally ended with another march around the campus with the crowd continuing their chants. This was an important event for the students at Brooklyn College. As somebody who has gone to other rallies on campus I have found that they usually end up being lackluster and disorganized attempts to garner some attention on a polarized issue. This was different. Students from every walk of life appeared to show their support. It was a powerful demonstration and outpouring of the values that the student population of Brooklyn College holds dear.
-Tim Caston
The State of the #MeToo Movement
Exactly one week from today marks the one year anniversary of the #MeToo Movement. The phrase “Me Too” was initially used by Tarana Burke in 2006, for an online campaign she created on MySpace. The campaign was targeted at empowering and validating women of color who have undergone experiences of sexual assault and violence. On October 15, 2017, however, Alyssa Milano coincidentally used the phrase on Twitter as a means of virtually connecting stories of sexual violence from all backgrounds.
Milano’s hashtag was a reaction against Hollywood director, Harvey Weinstein’s denial of sexual violence and assault by nearly 87 accusers. The hashtag was also posted nearly one year after Donald Trump was elected into office, in spite of sixteen women coming out with allegations of sexual harassment and assault against him. Let us also not forget the two year anniversary of the infamous All-Access Hollywood tape which recorded, the then-presidential candidate saying: “I just start kissing them. It’s like a magnet. Just kiss. I don’t even wait. And when you’re a star, they just let you do it. You can do anything. Grab ’em by the pussy. You can do anything.”
This movement has accomplished several things. First, it has started a global discussion about how many people in this world have been victims of sexual assault. Second, it has highlighted how little our society does to take care of women of sexual assault. Third, it absolutely took away the positions of power many men in media have held throughout the decades, without any accountability to the destruction and trauma they have caused endless lives to endure. Lastly, however, this movement has illuminated how much more work has to be done and undone to create a society of true justice and equality.
This week will infamously mark the contamination confirmation of Bret Kavanaugh unto the Supreme Court after a credible accusation of attempted rape was made against him by psychologist and professor, Dr. Christine Ford. Her case was almost instantly rejected by Republicans in the judicial committee. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), stated that she must be “mixed up” with recognizing who actually assaulted her. Moreover, the judicial hearings and (not even) one week limited FBI investigation proved to be a performance where those in power gave the victim a pat on the back by stating that she was credible, but maintained their support and belief in Bret Kavanaugh.
Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), gave a lengthy speech about how her support of Bret Kavanaugh reflected her support of a citizen’s due process. Yet, what Collins fails to acknowledge, is that the standard of being innocent until proven guilty does not make accusations made against an individual false. Due process ensures the fair treatment of a citizen in the judicial system, and by not implementing a substantial and thorough investigation of Dr. Ford’s allegations, the Republicans in the Judicial Committee have instead insured an unfair process. This week, Republicans have confirmed a man to the Supreme Court under the veil of due process, by completely eliminating and ignoring the due process of the victim. 
THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-The Halifax Chronicle Herald, Bruce MacKinnon
Republicans in the Judicial Committee have remarked that Democrats have politicized the Supreme Court Confirmation process, and have constructed a false campaign as a reaction against a Republican nominated Supreme Court justice. However, this sentiment not only ignores the fact that Neil Gorsuch was nominated and confirmed without much push back just a year ago. It ignores that Merrick Garland should have been confirmed on the Supreme Court instead. But most of all, it ignores that the sentiment of much of the protests was around giving women the opportunity to truly be heard, and to be given a proper and fair investigation.
The #MeToo movement has done so much already in deconstructing the hierarchical power of those in the media. Now it is time that we as a country manifest our resources to deconstruct the hierarchical power of those in the government, who not serve we the people. This country is now generationally subject to the vote of Bret Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court, but let this not stop or impede out momentum. This country deserves branches of government that democratically represent the country’s views, this country deserves a government with actual checks and balances, we deserve fair and impartial trials, and we deserve fair elections. Let us mobilize to elect people that will reinforce the democratic principles this country was founded on. VOTE, VOTE, VOTE!
If you haven’t already, I strongly recommend that you listen to the testimony of Dr. Ford
-Justine Mekonen
The Junction Journal 