Christine Blasey Ford

CW: Sexual abuse, domestic violence

When I think of the word courage, one of the images that pops into my mind is Dr. Christine Blasey Ford standing with her eyes closed and her right hand raised, promising to tell the truth, in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee, a majority of whom were there to dismantle this women's testimony and reputation before she even spoke her first word.

That's brave.

So inspired by Dr. Ford's testimony, I decided to write my book, LOUD WOMAN, where I reveal for the first time that I was sexually, physically, and emotionally abused by an ex-boyfriend. Not even my family knew what happened to me.

Dr. Ford's courage encouraged me to share my story--as she did for countless women who watched her singular act of bravery.

When I learned that Dr. Ford was releasing a memoir, I immediately pre-ordered my copy and delved in once the book arrived. To say it was riveting would be an understatement. I learned so much about the backstory of Dr. Ford's testimony, including the betrayal she experienced from elected officials who were supposed to protect her. I became angered as I reread claims that she ruined Brett Kavanaugh's life as he "failed up" and became a Supreme Court Justice while Dr. Ford hid in hotel rooms with security detail.

The system is unfair. The system is cruel. Anytime a person who was abused tries to buck the system, it's a brave, courageous thing.

Here's a paragraph that really struck me:

"My quasi investigation forced me to go back and look at all my communications over the last few months. I was struck by the chasm between the way I'd felt during each moment and the politeness I'd hidden behind...I was not, as so many articles were referring to me as, 'a badass.' I'd been a good girl who followed the rules, and look where it had gotten me."

I am so glad Dr. Ford took control of the narrative by writing this book--one of truth, vulnerability, a recounting of mistakes and triumphs. Dr. Ford is not perfect. But she is a victim--one who continues to inspire me with her courage and lessons. ONE WAY BACK will probably be one of my favorite memoirs ever.… (altro)