#MeToo and Kavanaugh

When I heard that an additional day of congressional hearings was scheduled for Monday, I cringed.  I vividly remember the Anita Hill hearings. We owe a debt to Prof. Hill.  She was one of the first women to publicly take on the topic of sexual harassment against a powerful man who had the support of powerful men.  Prof. Hill was not protected. She was promised anonymity by the FBI only to be brought to testify at the Thomas confirmation hearing.  She experienced professional and personal criticism and retaliation.  Witnesses who could have supported her claims were prevented from testifying.

Is Prof. Ford facing the same fate?  She attempted anonymity but quickly was “outed”.   Will supporting witnesses be permitted to testify?  Or will Prof. Ford be forced to testify to details of a traumatic event only to find Judge Kavanaugh confirmed? My only hope comes from the #MeToo movement.  600 graduates of Ms. Ford’s high school have signed a letter of support, stating that her description of events comports with their experiences.  A much smaller number of women who knew Judge Kavanaugh when he was in high school have signed a letter attesting to his good character.  

Anita Hill  commented on Prof. Ford’s predicament.  In today’s New York Times, Prof. Hill reflects on how Congress can “do better”.   Prof. Hill said the committee must follow “some basic ground rules.”