The Ford-Kavanaugh hearing sparked a flurry or reactions on social media from women.
Disclaimer: Some of the content within this article may be triggering.
Watching the Kavanaugh hearing this Thursday resulted in a rollercoaster of emotions for many women, and truly anyone who has been a victim of sexual assault.
We know that hearing about these topics can be distressing for many, and we want to remind you that it’s important to take care of yourself. Be angry if you need to. Take some time to relax and unwind and unplug if you need. These things are heavy and often cause people to relive some of their deepest traumas.
Women both inside and outside the hearing have had a lot of reactions to what they’ve been hearing and watching. Whatever your feelings and reactions are to the distressing rhetoric shown by Kavanaugh and many others at the hearing, you’re likely not alone.
We’ve compiled some of the best reactions to the hearing, especially women’s reactions to seeing how Kavanaugh composed himself.
Alyssa Milano, actress and #MeToo vocalist, was at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. She shared some of her thoughts with The Hollywood Reporter.
"I wasn’t there with any political agenda. I was there to support a survivor of sexual assault. And I felt like I needed to be there to show that support and be there to prove that a man’s misogyny should not take precedence over a survivor’s humanity."
She also talked about the mood in the room.
"Dr. Ford’s testimony was painful and hard to sit through. I was most taken by how eloquently she was able to describe the things that she remembered… And I can honestly say it was the absolute, polar opposite of when Kavanaugh spoke. When he spoke, there was a lot of rage in the room. Not only from him, but also from the Republican party. I felt like the Democrats didn’t really know how to respond to that rage in a way that was effective and impactful."
Women, and others who don’t identify as cis-men, took to the internet to share their reactions to the hearings.
To start off, we see someone wishing Milano had some otherworldly powers.
I've never wished so hard that Alyssa Milano was a real witch. pic.twitter.com/Oqaw7210eq
— Meredith B. Kile (@em_bee_kay) September 27, 2018
Many people pointed out that Kavanaugh’s reactions reminded them of classic abusive tactics and behaviors.
I have seen men cry like kavanaugh, the one who cried at my feet after smashing my face thru a glass coffee table, the one sobbing and screaming until i understood it was my fault for making him angry enough to attack me.
— Ellen Barkin (@EllenBarkin) September 27, 2018
Deny, attack, become the victim...cry if you are able.
Several tweets touched on the privilege Kavanaugh has to react, calling out the double standard in how men and women are allowed to act in public spaces. He was allowed to rage, cry, and react emotionally. Women, especially women of color, don’t have that luxury.
is this how people get to talk if they don't spend their entire lives being scrutinized for tone
— Alexandra Petri (@petridishes) September 27, 2018
I can't stop thinking about how when Serena Williams got mad and showed her emotions, her professional opportunity was just taken from her. And how so many people who agreed with that decision are also totally on board with Kavanaugh acting like that today.
— Tenletters (@Tenletters) September 28, 2018
Hillary Clinton glided through 11 hours of hostile, disrespectful questioning from bloodthirsty Republican House members on national television without breaking a sweat and with more than a little laughter.
— Charlotte Clymer 🇺🇦 (@cmclymer) September 27, 2018
Spare me violins over Kavanaugh feeling attacked.#KavanaughHearings
It is so telling who gets to rage in professional spaces.
— Farrah Khan (@farrahsafiakhan) September 27, 2018
If Brett Kavanaugh were a woman, they’d be calling this performance “hysterical.”
— shauna (@goldengateblond) September 27, 2018
And when it comes to beer, well, we all know how much Kavanaugh likes beer.
AND THAT'S WHY I, BRETT KAVANAUGH, WILL BE A COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT, IMPARTIAL, DISPASSIONATE VOICE ON THE SUPREME COURT AND ALSO I NEED MORE BEER#KavanaughHearings # pic.twitter.com/F5DcqaYZhy
— Holly Figueroa O'Reilly 🌸 (@AynRandPaulRyan) September 27, 2018
Christine Ford's answers to questions:
— Stephanie Donohoe (@stephembee) September 27, 2018
Yes.
No.
I'm not sure.
Can you clarify?
Brett Kavanaugh's answers to questions:
This is a farce.
Boys do dumb things.
I went to a soup kitchen once.
I go to church.
I like beer.#KavanaughConfirmationHearings
Many people pointed out that this wasn’t a criminal trial. It was a job interview to see if Kavanaugh was fit. Also, they noted that Ford is definitely not the one on trial here.
There was this all to real reference to pop culture. And we agree, it is frightening.
Seeing the panel of all white men debating Kavanaugh on one side and women being lead out by police, hands tied, in split screen, is like a scene from Handmaids Tale.
— Anne with an "e" (@mrsmaris) September 28, 2018
It’s frightening.
Unfortunately, this isn’t one man or one problem. It is a circular system of problematic behavior. This tweet perfectly summarizes how flawed the entire system is.
Being able to share our thoughts with each other, hearing each other, and offering ways to heal and connect even if it is on social media is so important. We support survivors and believe them.
If you or someone you know is or has been the victim of sexual assault, please know you can go to RAINN.org or call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 for support.