As Twitchy told you, GOP Sen. Martha McSally said at a hearing today that she had been raped by an Air Force superior officer. McSally said, “Like many victims, I felt like the system was raping me all over again.” Apparently über-feminist Jill Filipovic would like to be part of that system. Because here’s her take on McSally’s remarks:
This is brave. It's also important. The conservative movement in the US has been staunchly anti-feminist, deriding many women who talk about sexual violence as having a "victim mentality." As a result, there can be a cost to prominent conservative women who speak out. https://t.co/NlrXb2A8d3
— Jill Filipovic (@JillFilipovic) March 6, 2019
This is complicated by the fact that McSally is a member of the exact movement that is hostile to sincere and holistic efforts to combat violence against women, and that folds misogyny into much of its politics. But feminists do want all women to benefit from our gains.
— Jill Filipovic (@JillFilipovic) March 6, 2019
How magnanimous.
I think sometimes we don't pause to recognize how far we've come, and how partisan feminist issues of the past are now mainstream & widely accepted. If we can add sexual violence to that list, all the better. Right-wing women speaking out about their experiences is a good thing.
— Jill Filipovic (@JillFilipovic) March 6, 2019
It would be better, of course, if those experiences led to more humane policy positions (and a tougher look at men in power who stand accused of sexual assault, like Kavanaugh, whose confirmation McSally supported). But things don't change overnight. This is a sign of progress.
— Jill Filipovic (@JillFilipovic) March 6, 2019
First of all, we still have no evidence that Brett Kavanaugh ever sexually assaulted anyone.
Well, there's also the fact that Kavanaugh didn't sexually assault anyone. https://t.co/3wOCfh1z0z
— RBe (@RBPundit) March 6, 2019
And second of all, why on earth should McSally’s support for Kavanaugh or her conservatism have any bearing on her status as a rape survivor?
Yeah I guess your rape was bad or whatever but really you should be thanking me here. pic.twitter.com/zrRZA0RcYR
— neontaster (@neontaster) March 6, 2019
Out: "Believe all women"
In: "It's not really rape if I don't like her politics" https://t.co/lsM9usIrY5
— Quotron (@Quotron_) March 6, 2019
Professional Twitter Feminist: "Being raped is bad, unless you're a Republican Senator, in which case, you know, it's *complicated* because you belong to the wrong party, and we have to unpack it." pic.twitter.com/N7ubCIdjKe
— Esoteric Jeff (@EsotericCD) March 6, 2019
How deeply un-feminist do you have to be to use a woman’s account of sexual violence to deride her political beliefs? This is modern feminism. Even when conservative women are opening up about assault, they’re shamed for being complicit in the conservative movement. https://t.co/NpKF5H4Ro1
— Alexandra DeSanctis (@xan_desanctis) March 6, 2019
You’re a terrible person. How dare you belittle her story by trying to smear conservatives in the process. I swear, just when I think people like you can’t get anymore despicable you go and tweet out garbage like this. Gross.
— JenniferW (@JenWoodruff79) March 6, 2019
https://twitter.com/EsotericCD/status/1103398291323187220
We get the feeling she’s that way in private, too.
A woman who served this country went public with what I can only assume is one of the worst moments of her life, specifically to advance justice for sexual assault victims in the military, and you turn this into a partisan attack?
Words cannot describe how repulsive this is. https://t.co/f6ZElSWia1
— Tiana Lowe (@TianaTheFirst) March 6, 2019
Editor’s note: This post has been updated with an additional tweet.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member