Fighting the good fight

This was originally published at https://www.endoftheinnocenceproject.org/fighting-the-good-fight/

Unless you live under a rock, you probably heard about the jury verdict involving Harvey Weinstein.  Journalist Sady Doyle said it best when she wrote that his conviction is dedicated to all of us that never stopped fighting.  Personally, I could feel the universal sigh of relief, fists raised in the air, bra burning warrior yells.  But this isn’t about feminism, this is about JUSTICE.  It is about finally being heard, about being understood, and about being vindicated.

I really admire all the women that got up there on that stand, poured their private lives out to the court of public opinion, and regurgitated their worst nightmares for the world to hear.  Part of the reason so many of us don’t come forward right away is because we fear the inevitable judgement that we would face.  I know you have all heard it before, but it is important to emphasize this in every conversation.

The Jury heard.  The Jury believed.  The Jury CONVICTED.  I pray that man dies in prison.  If I thought I was happy when “American Dad” Bill Cosby was convicted, I am overjoyed that Weinstein went down too.  Weinstein had more perceived power over women.  He could literally make or break their careers and often held that idea over his victim’s heads.  He was a predator of the worst kind.

The #MeToo movement is what propelled the End Of The Innocence Project to life.  I personally feel as though we have more hope now than ever before.  As a woman, wife, mother, sister, aunt, and daughter; as a survivor, I feel heard.  I feel like my voice means something, now maybe others will listen a little closer.  I might not have to shout anymore, I can finally use my inside voice.

It doesn’t matter how long ago it happened.  The circumstances surrounding the event don’t matter either.  What we were wearing doesn’t belong in the discussion.  Neither do the perceived gains or losses.  What matters is that NO means NO in every instance, in every language, we are now talking about it.  The discussion can continue, all over the world.  We don’t need to live in fear any longer.

It is comforting to know that we are allowed to be human through the whole process, we can be confused, we can have foggy memories, it is ok that some of the details are blocked out of our memories.  It is nice to know we can take some missteps and still be believed.  I am thankful to know that I don’t have to be perfect.  

This jury took a huge step in the right direction.  Rape is ugly.  Evil.  Degrading.  Dehumanizing. 

We can breathe a little easier tonight knowing that the terms have finally changed.  It feels like more of a fair fight now.

As always, God Bless, and thank you for reading.