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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDuring Dr Fords testimony
there was one part that caught me off guard. In 1984-85 I was a freshmen in college. I had a group of friends. One night we all decided to go to a party, but I knew I had to leave early-homework or something. I notice that the guys we were with were acting strange, but didn't think much of it. I went to leave and one of the guys said he would walk me back to the dorm. He had been paying some attention to me, which I thought it was off, he had a girl friend. Anyway, we walked back to the dorms, and he came in the room, sat on the bed, after a bit took off his shirt and laid on the bed. The entire time I'm telling him I need to do my homework and thanks for walking me home. I finally got him to leave. I want to be clear, I never felt threaten at anytime, just a WTF moment.
That night, or the next day, I was talking to my girlfriends and one guy friend about it. My guy friend told us what was going on. The guys (not my friend telling me) were having a bet who would get me to have sex with one of two of the guys who took the challenge. Holy shit, the anger and disgust that we all had. We shamed all of them. We would walk past their door, talking loud so they could hear us, of how no friend would ever do anything like this, wouldn't talk to them, etc. They all came to me and my girlfriends, and apologize to me personally, one by one. They did look properly shamed. I have all these years felt that we won. That we were able to shame some men, and maybe it made them better.
When Dr. Ford said the laughter, the flood of pain overwhelmed me. It was the anger that I felt when I found out what was happening. These guys, my friends, didn't give it a second thought to sexual humiliate for their enjoyment. I'm trying to hold back my sadness, anger, and tears right now. I've had many emotions through this shitshow, but never expected this.
Thank you for letting me get this off my chest.
pnwmom
(108,978 posts)I hope young men are learning something from everything that's been going on . . . .
Raster
(20,998 posts)...A HUGE THANK YOU to Dr. Ford for bringing this issue into the sunlight. I watched her testimony this morning with tears running down my cheeks. She was obviously sexually assaulted and it obviously induced profound changes in her life. And oh my god, the courage of that woman. Bless her heart.
all american girl
(1,788 posts)Raster
(20,998 posts)...and also very glad it turned out well.
all american girl
(1,788 posts)Raster
(20,998 posts)...